Valve is opening its Linux-based SteamOS further to third-party devices: beta 3.8.25 adds support for more gaming handhelds – including MSI’s Claw 8 EX AI+ and OneXPlayer’s Apex. SteamOS thus expands well beyond the Steam Deck.
More handhelds, one operating system
Version 3.8.25, rolled out via the beta/preview channel in August, adds gamepad support for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and improves support for the OneXPlayer Apex; smaller devices from Konkr and AYANEO are added too. Valve is continuing its push to gradually bring the Steam Deck operating system to other makers’ handhelds – recently including MSI Claw models, the AYANEO Pocket S2 and the Konkr Fit.
Linux as a gaming platform
SteamOS is based on Linux and uses the Proton compatibility layer to run Windows games. The more makers adopt it, the more compelling Linux becomes as a serious gaming platform – a development that should benefit the desktop Linux market in the long run too.
Sources: GameNGuide, Steam News.
