Big update to Deck Client and OS today (4/25)

[Xzi]

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1675200/view/3216142491801797532

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Steam Deck Client and OS Update: Lockscreen, Power Improvements, and more
NOTE: Today's update includes Steam, OS, and firmware updates, and may take a few minutes to apply after restarting. Please be patient while your Steam Deck updates.

Client Update:

• Added
  Lock Screen
  feature
  • Lock screen is specific to device, and can be set to show up on wake, boot, login, and/or when switching to Desktop mode
  • PIN can be entered using the touchscreen or controls
• Added localized keyboards for 21 languages and layouts
  • Multiple keyboards can be enabled in Settings > Keyboard > Active Keyboards
  • Use the new globe key on the keyboard to cycle between active keyboards
• Added support for multiple windows within one application or game.
  • Press Steam to view active windows and select which window you would like to view
  • Useful for web browsers or games with launchers
• Updated
  Achievements
  page design, making it faster to load and easier to navigate
• New achievements drop down allows players to quickly compare stats against any friend who also plays
• Add Friend
  and
  Pending Requests
  have been combined into a single new page for better handling of friend requests
• Added logic to detect and notify user when a microSD card doesn't match advertised storage size and specifications, instead of attempting to format (for a very long time)
• Fixed issue where Steam and (...) button couldn't be used with Remote Play when streaming games from PC
• More performance improvements for players with very large game libraries

OS Update:

• Added messaging when a charger that doesn't meet the minimum bar is plugged in
• Added uncapped framerate setting in Quick Access menu > Performance
• Added Half-Rate Shading experimental option to Quick Access menu > Performance, forcing 2x2 Variable Rate Shading into existing games for power savings
• Added fTPM support, enabling Windows 11 installation
• Added button combo: hold "..." + "Volume Down" to reset PD contract in the cases where Steam Deck gets stuck due to an incompatible Type-C device
• Updated power LED to dim a few seconds after power supply connection events for better experience in dark environments
• Improved compatibility for a number of Type-C docks and PSUs
• Improved battery life in idle or very low usage scenarios
• Improved stability
• Fixed issues where the touchscreen does not work after some boots
• Fixed compatibility with some SD cards specifically when used as boot devices.
• Fixed extra haptic click when pressing on trackpads
• Fixed ACPI error spew in the kernel

One possibly unlisted change that people are reporting on Reddit is a fan curve adjustment that should quiet down all fan types some.

 

[subcon959]

The window switcher is a big one for launchers and emulators.

 

[Taleweaver]

I've seen some youtubers blabber about these. But aside from - indeed - the window switcher, I don't see why they're so hyped.

I mean sure: it's good to have a lock screen, but to me the fact that it's a large update ("the largest one yet") just says valve is busy on its support.

In other words: I think the guys in my youtube feed are mostly excited to create a video about the patch than it's actually worth.

Edit: semi forgot to add something. That is, i had to check first. See, the faux had discovered on windows that a refresh rate of 40 Hz hit a sort of sweet spot between better performance(it looks much more like 60 fps) and better battery life(hardly different than 30). This got picked up by the devs at valve fairly quickly... But it's not in this update yet. From what i can tell, it's in the beta version of the next update

 

[Xzi]

I've seen some youtubers blabber about these. But aside from - indeed - the window switcher, I don't see why they're so hyped.

I mean sure: it's good to have a lock screen, but to me the fact that it's a large update ("the largest one yet") just says valve is busy on its support.

In other words: I think the guys in my youtube feed are mostly excited to create a video about the patch than it's actually worth.

The other big changes were Windows 11 support for those that care, and the half-rate shading feature for performance/battery life gains. Also nice that they added an "oh shit" button combo for when people plug in cheap incompatible USB hubs/devices. Oh, and stability improvements. Can't forget that one.

Edit: semi forgot to add something. That is, i had to check first. See, the faux had discovered on windows that a refresh rate of 40 Hz hit a sort of sweet spot between better performance(it looks much more like 60 fps) and better battery life(hardly different than 30). This got picked up by the devs at valve fairly quickly... But it's not in this update yet. From what i can tell, it's in the beta version of the next update

It's currently on the beta branch, anyone who opts in can download it. The same update also officially lists an adjusted fan curve.

 

[Chary]

The update was a total joke and bricked my Deck. Luckily reinstalling SteamOS worked, but lmao how do you do that, Valve?

Now it's working all fine and good.

 

[Xzi]

The update was a total joke and bricked my Deck. Luckily reinstalling SteamOS worked, but lmao how do you do that, Valve?

Now it's working all fine and good.

You must've updated in desktop mode. They made a note to update exclusively in gaming mode, but only after a number of people got themselves stuck in a boot loop first.