Valve revealed Steam Deck 2 details!

Summary

Valve is teasing the future of the Steam Deck with a new patent for an upgraded case that could offer wireless charging and improved functionality. While the case could be part of a Steam Deck 2, Valve is also enhancing the Steam Deck’s customization options, including new boot animations available in the Steam Point Store. Additionally, Android app compatibility is on the horizon, allowing for smoother integration of mobile games and apps into Steam's ecosystem. Jimmy Champagne also shares his personal experience troubleshooting performance issues on his Steam Deck while diving deep into Linux, sparking a new hobby of learning about system optimization.

Takeaways

• 😀 Valve is working on a patent for an upgraded Steam Deck case, potentially hinting at features for the next Steam Deck revision or the Steam Deck 2.
• 📦 The new Steam Deck case could integrate wireless charging technology, similar to the Steam Controller's 'puck,' allowing users to charge the Steam Deck while it's in the case.
• 🔋 The case's charging feature could include an independent battery, allowing it to charge the Steam Deck without needing to use the USB port directly.
• 🛠️ Valve may introduce this technology in a future Steam Deck model, with a focus on maintaining low power consumption and excellent battery life.
• 🚫 Currently, Steam Decks don't support wireless charging, which poses a challenge for implementing this feature unless a new back shell or battery is introduced.
• 🎮 Valve's ongoing work on Steam Deck hardware shows that the Steam Deck 2 may not be too far off, potentially arriving as early as 2027 or 2028.
• 💡 The recent Steam Deck OLED upgrade improved the case with a Velcro flap to prevent accidental openings, reflecting Valve's attention to user feedback.
• 🎥 Valve has added new boot animation intros to the Steam Deck, including options inspired by games like Risk of Rain 2, Retro Wave 2, and Angry Video Game Nerd.
• 📱 Valve is exploring bringing Android apps to Steam, which could enable easier integration of mobile games and apps (like Netflix or YouTube) on Steam hardware.
• 💻 Valve is funding a project that creates a translation layer for Android APKs, which could help bring Android apps to Steam and make cross-platform compatibility easier.

Q & A

What new patent has Valve filed that might hint at the future of the Steam Deck?

Valve has filed a patent for an upgraded Steam Deck case, incorporating wireless charging technology. The case could include a magnetic puck for charging, similar to the Steam Controller's charging system, which would offer a more convenient charging solution for Steam Deck users.

What potential problems are there with implementing wireless charging for the Steam Deck?

Currently, the Steam Deck does not support wireless charging because it lacks charging pins or built-in wireless charging technology. For wireless charging to work, Valve would either need to release a new battery and back shell for the Steam Deck or include it in a hardware revision, both of which would involve significant changes and potentially complicate the process for users.

What could the new Steam Deck case technology mean for the next version of the Steam Deck?

The wireless charging technology and magnetic puck could be features of the Steam Deck 2. Valve seems to be working on this technology as part of a broader strategy for their hardware ecosystem, suggesting that the next-generation Steam Deck could arrive sooner than expected, possibly around 2027-2028.

What customization options have been added to the Steam Deck recently?

Valve has added a variety of new boot animation intros to the Steam Point Store, allowing users to personalize their Steam Deck's startup experience. Some notable options include animations from games like 'Risk of Rain 2' and 'Retro Wave 2,' as well as several unique and creative designs.

How does the Steam Deck's customization options enhance the user experience?

These boot animation intros provide a fun way for users to personalize their Steam Deck, adding a bit of flair to the device. They also allow fans of specific games, like 'Risk of Rain 2,' to showcase their interest right from the moment the device starts up.

What is Valve's involvement with Android APKs, and why is it important for Steam?

Valve is integrating Android APK support into Steam, possibly due to the Steam Frame, which uses ARM chips. This allows Steam to potentially run mobile games and apps natively, as well as introduce Android-based applications like Netflix and YouTube on the Steam Machine, improving the ecosystem's overall functionality.

How could Android APK support benefit Steam's hardware lineup?

By enabling Android APK support, Steam could expand its app ecosystem to include popular mobile applications, improving the functionality of devices like the Steam Machine, which is designed for living room use. This could make Steam a more comprehensive media platform, alongside gaming.

What is FEX, and how does it relate to Steam's future plans?

FEX is a translation layer designed to run x86 games on ARM devices, such as the Steam Frame, which uses ARM chips. Valve has funded its development to help make Steam games more compatible with ARM-based hardware, and it could pave the way for a more seamless integration of Steam games into Android or ARM-based devices in the future.

What challenges do developers face with Steam VR and MetaQuest 3, and how does Valve's strategy address them?

Developers of VR games have had to create separate versions of their games for Steam VR and MetaQuest 3 due to different chip architectures (x86 for Steam VR and ARM for MetaQuest). Valve's work on enabling Android APKs and FEX may simplify this by allowing developers to create one version of a game that works on both platforms, reducing workload and improving cross-platform compatibility.

Why has the Steam Deck been a source of frustration for Jimmy Champagne recently?

Jimmy Champagne has been struggling with performance issues while playing 'Indiana Jones' on the Steam Deck, specifically stuttering caused by the RADV driver. He spent time troubleshooting the issue by manually installing a different driver but encountered complications with SteamOS blocking the external driver. This led him to explore learning Linux to better manage similar issues in the future.