SteamOS Expands to New Handhelds: Intel Support Grows

The latest SteamOS 3.8.25 Beta release continues Valve's commitment to wider hardware compatibility for its gaming operating system. This update introduces initial gamepad support for several new portable gaming devices, enhancing their integration with SteamOS. Among the newly supported handhelds are MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ and Ayaneo's Pocket S2, marking progress in supporting Intel-based hardware.

Valve has also refined support for existing devices, offering improved compatibility for older MSI Claw models and the OneXPlayer line. This follows a June update that specifically targeted enhanced compatibility with recent Intel and AMD platforms, benefiting devices from GPD Win, Anbernic, and OrangePi. While the Lenovo Legion Go S remains the sole non-Valve device with full "powered by SteamOS" branding, these ongoing updates suggest a broader strategy to ensure SteamOS functions effectively on a diverse range of hardware.

Furthermore, the SteamOS 3.8.25 update includes a significant enhancement to the Steam Controller's Linux driver. This revision allows the controller to function seamlessly with native controller applications, even when the Steam client is not actively running. This improvement is particularly beneficial for users who frequently operate in Desktop mode to utilize emulators or other non-Steam Linux-native games.