Steam Frame OS Update Extends Battery Life by up to 12%

Valve has launched a brand new replace for the Steam Body VR headset that considerably extends battery life. With the launch of SteamOS 0.4.3, which is actually a daily SteamOS model optimized for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Arm-based SoC, Valve has pushed the Steam Body headset right into a extra power-efficient mode, attaining as much as 12% longer battery life. Whereas it is a theoretical most increase, the precise battery life will closely depend upon the framerate the VR headset is outputting and the content material being displayed. In follow, you’ll be able to count on a modest improve in battery life for common utilization duties. Valve has doubtless made low-level optimizations in its software program stack to reinforce the Steam Body’s energy effectivity.

Moreover, SteamOS 0.4.3 for Steam Body now contains an eye-tracking possibility that’s restricted to single-eye monitoring. Customers can allow this in VR Settings > Normal > Monitor Dominant Eye Solely, however be aware that it requires enabling “present superior settings.” Different fixes embody improved focus behaviors when interacting with seize/resize handles and resolving a problem the place controller bindings weren’t loading in sure video games, together with Thumper and Google Earth VR.

As Valve continues to optimize the software program stack, count on additional refinements. SteamOS for Steam Body is at the moment not at model 1.0, working solely on model 0.4.3 for now. With the discharge of model 1.0, we are able to anticipate Valve’s sharpening of the VR headset and optimizations to be almost good.