We have just shipped an updated Steam Client to the Preview/Beta channel.

General

• Fix cases where users with older CPUs could have the client hang/crash when starting downloads for games with many identical files

• Fix desktop shortcuts always using the default launch option rather than your saved option

• Fix some cases where the onscreen keyboard would drop presses during dual trackpad typing

• Fix the diacritic options menu interactions during dual trackpad typing

Steam Input

• Added a landing page to the configurator when no file on disk could be loaded and give you the option to select a new configuration. This was one of the causes of a blank configurator

• Improve the display of cloud sync status in the configurator and give you the option to skip and proceed to the configurator. This was another common cause of a blank configuration because the layout was broken and the info offscreen.

• Fix pairing the 2015 Steam Controller

• FIxed glyphs for Switch controllers in Heavy Rain

Remote Play

• The adjust bitrate option of the network health dialog behaves more intuitively

The Steam Client Beta has been updated with the following changes:

General

• Fix cases where users with older CPUs could have the client hang/crash when starting downloads for games with many identical files

• Fix desktop shortcuts always using the default launch option rather than your saved option

Steam Input

• Added a landing page to the configurator when no file on disk could be loaded and give you the option to select a new configuration. This was one of the causes of a blank configurator

• Improve the display of cloud sync status in the configurator and give you the option to skip and proceed to the configurator. This was another common cause of a blank configuration because the layout was broken and the info offscreen.

• Fix pairing the 2015 Steam Controller

• FIxed glyphs for Switch controllers in Heavy Rain

Remote Play

• The adjust bitrate option of the network health dialog behaves more intuitively

Big Picture

• On Windows start showing wifi vs ethernet and wifi strength in the header

• Fix some cases where the onscreen keyboard would drop presses during dual trackpad typing

• Fix the diacritic options menu interactions during dual trackpad typing

• [p]Pet photobook pages now have localized text art.[/p][/*]
• [p]Added play menu buttons to manage downloaded Workshop maps.[/p][/*]
• [p]Adjusted VK shader cache extension flags.[/p][/*]

SteamOS 0.4.4 (for Steam Frame) has just been released. This update is for the Steam Frame Beta channel, and includes new features that are still being tested. You can opt into this in Settings > System > System Update Channel.

New in 0.4.4:

• Added user setting to control Presence Sensor Sensitivity (VR Settings -> Startup / Shutdown -> Presence Sensor). New "high sensitivity" option keeps displays on under a wider range of conditions, such as when using glasses spacers.

• Improved tooltip sort ordering

Previous SteamOS 0.4 Releases

Power:

• Improved power efficiency and battery lifetime during both streaming and local gameplay, with gains of up to 12%. Note: Result vary depending on framerate and content.

Streaming:

• VR streaming reliability improvements, including fixes for “Error 17.” Note: On the PC, you must also opt into SteamVR 2.18.2 or later to reduce “Error 17” connection issues. At the time of this release, SteamVR 2.18.2 is available on the SteamVR \[beta] branch.

• Fixed steam frame wireless adapter connectivity issues that affected users in some countries.

• Improved audio reliability while streaming

• Fixed rare cases of other network interfaces causing disruption of wireless dongle connection.

• Spectator view is now smoothed by default. Spectator view can be accessed on PC via Steam > Settings > Remote Play, or any device that supports Steam Link to preview what the Steam Frame user is seeing in headset.

• Fixed the keyboard not appearing while streaming.

General

• Fixed an issue that prevented controller bindings from loading for certain games, including Google Earth VR and Thumper.

• Improved focus behavior when interacting with grab/resize handles

• Improved focus handling and gamepad navigation in the dashboard.

• Fixed a case of dashboard panels flickering.

• Fixed "Return to Gaming mode" when starting up directly into Desktop mode.

• Added option to disable spectator view smoothing under VR Settings > Developer (in headset).

• Fixed an issue where the dashboard would recenter unnecessarily for some users.

• Updated embedded browser (CEF) with crash fixes and Linux H.264 detection fixes.

• Miscellaneous performance and stability improvements.

Audio:

• Audio: downmix and binaural rendering now have matching volume across all formats.

Accessibility

• Added accessibility option for users who want to limit eye tracking to a single eye. VR Settings -> General -> Track Dominant Eye Only. (requires enabling "show advanced settings")

• Users can now specify their Dominant Eye in VR Settings. This controls which eye is used for spectator view, screenshots, etc.