Valve’s latest release marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first to support the eagerly anticipated Steam Machine, a living room gaming PC. This update doesn’t stop there; it also introduces a suite of long-awaited features for Valve’s handheld devices, while broadening support for an impressive lineup of other manufacturers’ handhelds. Notable names include Microsoft’s Xbox Ally series, Asus, Lenovo Legion Go 2, OneXPlayer X1, and more. Companies like MSI, GPD, Anbernic, OrangePi, and Zotac also receive enhanced support, showcasing Valve’s commitment to integration across the gaming landscape.

Among the update’s most exciting features is the introduction of genuine hibernation and “memory power down” modes, debuting with the LCD model of the Steam Deck. These features promise to significantly extend battery life, as they allow the device to save power when not in active use — a feature that some Windows machines have already utilized to outlast the Steam Deck when in sleep mode. With this update, Valve aims to level the playing field by offering the Steam Deck an efficient power management system that complements its instant-on sleep mode.

In a much-anticipated move, Valve has finally introduced a setting in gaming mode that enables the use of Bluetooth headset microphones. This addition has been a long-standing request from users, and though it was made available in Linux desktop mode last year, its incorporation into gaming mode is a welcome enhancement. Additionally, the Steam Deck LCD now supports Bluetooth Wake, allowing users to power on their TV-connected Deck with a wireless controller from the comfort of their couch.

The update also brings a host of improvements to the Linux desktop modes, which will prove invaluable for users connecting their Steam Machines to TVs or monitors. These enhancements include desktop HDR, VRR display support, per-display scaling, improved windowing behavior for games running in Proton, and an upgrade to KDE Plasma 6.4.3, among other features. Such advancements are designed to enhance the overall user experience, particularly for those using the Steam Machine as part of their home entertainment setup.

Moreover, Steam Machines and handhelds connected to home entertainment systems can now automatically detect the number of audio channels available over HDMI, thereby facilitating surround sound. While surround sound capabilities existed previously, this update likely offers a more refined and automatic implementation, enhancing the audio experience.

Finally, users will benefit from a new Arch system base and an updated graphics driver, ensuring that the system remains cutting-edge and capable of delivering top-tier performance.

Perhaps most surprisingly, the “Non-Deck” section of the changelog is huge. Valve says long-pressing your power button should work “across a wide variety of devices” to power off, restart, or switch to the desktop mode. You should be able to change your processor’s power modes on the Xbox Ally now, and night mode and screen color settings should work on AMD Z2 Extreme handhelds in general.

There’s also “Greatly improved video memory management with discrete GPU platforms,” you can limit how far the battery charges in any of the Lenovo Legion Go handhelds (in desktop mode), and it should fix “washed out colors for Zotac and OneXPlayer handhelds with OLED.”

There’s a lot in this update, and it’s possible I missed a feature you care about, so check out the whole changelog here and below.