Valve has released the SteamOS 3.8.0 preview , a major update that brings long-awaited features and expands support for new devices. The new version supports the upcoming Steam Machine for living room gaming, while also adding improvements for Valve 's portables and increased compatibility with third-party devices.
See also: Valve's Steam Machine delayed due to RAM crisis
Among the most notable additions are true hibernation and “ memory power down ” modes for the Steam Deck , initially available only on the LCD model. This feature aims to extend battery life when the device is idle or when the power button is pressed. Until now, some Windows devices could outlast the Steam Deck in standby mode due to their automatic hibernation capabilities.
Valve has also added a setting to gaming mode that allows the use of Bluetooth headset microphones, a feature that has been requested since the beginning. Additionally, Bluetooth Wake has been re-enabled for the Steam Deck LCD, allowing users to wake their TV-connected device with a wireless controller from their couch.
Extension of support to third‑party devices with SteamOS 3.8
The update includes expanded support for third-party portable gaming devices, including the Microsoft and Asus Xbox Ally, the Lenovo Legion Go 2, the OneXPlayer X1, as well as additional support for MSI, GPD, Anbernic, OrangePi , and Zotac. This expansion represents a significant strategic move by Valve to dominate the portable gaming PC space.
See also: Steam Machine: Valve's new gaming console
The “Non-Deck” section of the changelog is extensive, with Valve stating that long-pressing the power button should work on a wide variety of devices to shut down, restart, or go to desktop mode. Users will now be able to change processor power modes in Xbox Ally, while night mode and display color settings are expected to work on laptops with AMD Z2 Extreme.
The update also includes significantly improved video memory management for platforms with a discrete GPU, the ability to limit battery charging on Lenovo Legion Go in desktop mode, and fixes for washed-out colors on Zotac and OneXPlayer with OLED.
Improvements for Steam Machine and desktop experience
The update includes several improvements to Linux desktop features that will be beneficial for a Steam Machine connected to a TV or monitor. These improvements include desktop HDR , VRR display support , per-display scaling, improved windowing behavior for games running on Proton , and an upgrade to KDE Plasma 6.4.3 .
See also: Steam Deck: Valve stops production of the LCD model
For a Steam Machine or Steam connected to a home entertainment system, devices can now detect the number of audio channels via HDMI to enable surround sound. There's also a new Arch and updated graphics driver.
