SteamOS 3.7.0 Is Now In Preview Channel With Some Huge Changes
The next huge SteamOS update is now available for testing on the Steam Deck with some big changes to the Linux base, graphics driver, and Desktop!
General
- Updated to a newer Arch Linux base
- Updated the Linux kernel to 6.11
- Updated the Mesa graphics driver base
- Desktop mode now ships with Plasma 6.2.5
- Beginnings of support for non-Steam Deck handhelds
Controllers and Input
- Add support for the Proteus Byowave controller
- Fixed an issue where Switch Pro Controller gyros might not work on first connection
- Fixed an issue with stuck/hanging controller inputs when exiting Steam
Bluetooth
- Fixed Bluetooth devices still being able to wake the Steam Deck from suspend, even when Bluetooth was disabled from Desktop mode
- Enable HFP/HSP profiles, to allow using the integrated microphone from headsets and earbuds
- Currently only available to select in Desktop mode
- Added battery level display for supported Bluetooth devices
- Include a bugfix for the Airpods when using the AAC codec
- Bluetooth controllers can now wake LCD units from sleep, previously only available on OLED models
- Known issue: Bluetooth LE based controllers are not currently compatible with bluetooth wake on LCD models
Steam Deck Dock
- Made compatibility improvements for certain displays including TCL FireTV models and Dell VRR capable monitors
Graphics and Performance
- Enabled AMD P-State CPU frequency control
- Fixed a performance regression for No Rest for the Wicked
Desktop
- Updated to Plasma 6.2.5 (previously 5.27.10) - see the big changes in Plasma 6 here
- Surround sound now works correctly
- Enabling the setting is currently only available via Desktop mode
- KDE Filelight is now installed by default for disk usage visualization and low disk space notifications
- Speed and robustness improvements when switching between desktop and game mode
- Fixed a common cause of hangs when switching to desktop mode
- Fixed some cases where Steam could take up to ninety seconds to exit on shutdown or switch to desktop
- Added 'gocryptfs' support to desktop session to enable use of the Plasma Vaults feature
Misc
- Fixed some cases where "filter-chain" or other virtual sound devices would erroneously appear in the UI
- Fixed cases where applying system updates could fail if certain configuration files were corrupted or malformed
- Various enhancements to System Report functionality for support and troubleshooting
- Fixed compatibility issue with certain DNS servers causing very slow domain lookups
- Improved responsiveness of system when running into out-of-memory crash situations
- Enabled IPv6 Privacy Extensions by default
Known Issues
- Creative Zen Air Pro earbuds display an unexpected all-zeros entry under the "Show all devices" section when pairing
- Super NES controllers can erroneously show up as connected when they are not
- DualShock 3 controllers are currently not able to be paired or used
Developer
- Updated to a 6.11 based kernel
- Added debuginfod URLs for SteamOS
- Added systemd .socket units to the default list of /etc files preserved across updates
- When running in a VM, system will now default to the desktop session
- Swap file setup now uses standard 'mkswap' functionality instead of shipping an ad-hoc 'mkswapfile' script
- The steamos-readonly command now warns that the status might not be accurate when sysexts are loaded
- Fixed a case that could introduce duplicate boot entries for devices manually setup to dual-boot
- The pacman cache is now cleaned after applying a SteamOS update
- Fixes stale cache errors working with pacman after switching branches
Bluetooth to wake was a significant part of why I upgraded to OLED lol (before you judge me, a friend had offered to buy my original). But I'm glad it's coming to the LCD model now too.
And Plasma 6! Finally!
Yeah, I want more details on that. Originally Bluetooth to wake only worked for BLE devices on the OLED as far as I know. Controllers like the steam controller had to have a ble firmware update before they could wake it.
However recently I've had my OLED deck (on beta steam OS) get woken up by my stadia controllers, which aren't BLE and previously couldn't wake the deck. I haven't tested it well, but it doesn't seem consistent.
Now they're saying non BLE devices can wake the LCD deck, so I'm assuming that means they're going to work for waking the OLED deck as well?
Edit: did some testing, and I seems like all my stadia controllers will now consistently wake up my OLED deck. A big improvement for me personally.
Stadia my beloved :')
Interesting you mention that, the actual patch notes indicate BLE won't work with LCD. Though, the wording makes it seem like there's a chance that could change in the future?
Known issue: Bluetooth LE based controllers are not currently compatible with bluetooth wake on LCD models
Awe I was hoping for 6.14-git for NTSYNC this go around.
Hoping they get a faster kernel supply chain or 3.8 includes it and follows shortly after.
A new version of Plasma is great news for me as I plan on using my future Deck as a second computer alongside my Surface Go 1.
Beginnings of support for non-Steam Deck handhelds
That’s awesome, can’t wait to tinker with it.
Is the Desktop using Wayland now or is it still on x11?
Still on x11 as far as I know.
Some really cool stuff there!