Valve has released SteamOS 3.8.10, marking the first stable release in the 3.8 branch. SteamOS ships with Steam Deck devices and has recently been used in gaming consoles from several other manufacturers, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S and ASUS ROG Ally. To install, select the "Steam Deck Preview" channel in the update settings (Settings > System > System Update Channel). In the past, enthusiasts developed unofficial builds of HoloISO and SteamFork, but these have been abandoned.
The platform is based on Arch Linux, uses the Gamescope composite server based on the Wayland protocol to speed up game launches, comes with a read-only root filesystem, uses an atomic update mechanism, supports Flatpak packages, uses the PipeWire multimedia server, and provides two interface modes (Steam shell and KDE Plasma desktop).
Among the changes:
- The desktop environment has been updated to KDE Plasma 6.4 (previously the 6.2 branch) using the Wayland protocol by default (X11 support can be re-enabled via steamosctl).
- Added initial support for the Steam Machine game console.
- Added the ability to specify a password for a desktop session in the settings.
- Initial support for running virtual machines using virtio drivers has been implemented.
- The Latency-criticality-aware Virtual Deadline (LAVD) task scheduler has been enabled via "steamosctl set-cpu-scheduler lavd." LAVD considers the importance of reducing latency for specific tasks and uses process execution information when making CPU resource allocation decisions.
- Synchronization with the Arch package database has been completed. Linux. Core Linux Updated to version 6.16. Uses the latest graphics drivers.
- Game Mode now has improved support for creating screencasts.
- Improved support for the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) mechanism, which adaptively changes the monitor's refresh rate for smooth, tear-free gaming and video playback. Initial support for HDMI VRR has been added.
- Improved support for games that attempt to open PDF files in external viewers.
- Improved support for some USB gaming wheels, as well as combined USB devices (e.g. storage drive + modem).
- Added support for audio channel and speaker configuration information when using HDMI for audio output.
- Added a setting for using the microphone from Bluetooth headsets.
- Improved support for rotating monitors.
- Improved scaling when outputting to TV.
- Added support for external HDR screens and displays with VRR.
- The ability to separately select the scaling level for different screens has been provided.
- Keyboard layout and language settings are synchronized between desktop and gaming mode.
- Added initial support for hibernation mode with memory saved to disk.
- Improved compatibility with new Intel and AMD platforms.
- Video memory management capabilities for discrete video cards have been significantly expanded.
- Added support for game controllers for the OneXPlayer X1 and Lenovo Legion Go 2 consoles.
- Improved support for game controllers for the ASUS ROG Xbox Allym, OneXPlayer F1, GPD Win 5, GPD Win Mini, Anbernic Win600, OrangePi NEO, and Lenovo Legion Go consoles.
- Added initial battery level limiting capability for Legion Go, Legion Go S, and Legion Go 2 devices.
Source: opennet.ru
