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SteamOS beta update adds bluetooth pairing support

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SteamOS just keeps getting better at actually being a useful system. A beta update just launched giving you access to easily pair bluetooth gear to SteamOS.

You can see the post announcing it here. They are asking for feedback in that post directly, so if you have something that doesn't work be sure to let them know.

I should really get a bluetooth headset now to test it out. Can anyone recommend a good bluetooth headset that has a microphone and good sound quality that doesn't cost much? I can't be the only one now looking into buying one. One less wire when using my Steam Machine, hooray!

The developer in that post says that the DS4 controller (Playstation 4 controller) should work without a problem, but the DS3 (Playstation 3 controller) probably never will. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Hardware, Steam
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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6 comments

kalin Jan 15, 2016
I have ds4 controller and want to try it on linux but but can't setup it
ElectricPrism Jan 15, 2016
Words of warning, I bought a pair of Corsair VOID RGB headsets, of course it was USB / RF

They only half worked and half froze Gnome , definitely do some research to make sure Linux is compatible before throwing down.

Some headsets have aux backup in addition to rf or bluetooth, I think those are a good thing to look for.

Last I looked these were interesting as they had analog, bluetooth and some sort of built in mic.
Sony MDRXB950BT/B Extra Bass Bluetooth Headset

I dunno if the Mic is too good, but the thing that put me off was after owning Sol Republic I wish all headphones were as indestructible as Sol Republic

Skip Ahead to the bendy parts.
View video on youtube.com

I hooked it up with a Magnetic Mod Mic and it works pretty good although having 1 cable is still a little annoying, but I guess I buy stuff like I use Linux - I like 1 point of failure, it seems like when a device like a All In One Printer, Scanner, Fax is together that 1 part of the unit never works right and if 1 area breaks the whole thing breaks.

I guess what's why Sol Republic is nice with Mod Mic imo. They have Bluetooth Tracks Air too with backup analog, so thats cool.
leillo1975 Jan 15, 2016
I never will buy a PS4, I have a PS3 and I'm very disappointed with it. At least I would use my DS3 with Steam....


Last edited by leillo1975 on 15 January 2016 at 10:06 pm UTC
Guest Jan 15, 2016
Quoting: leillo1975I never will buy a PS4, I have a PS3 and I'm very disappointed with it. At least I would use my DS3 with Steam....

I know the PS4 is a lot better but the PS3 tarred my experience.

I had the same feeling for the 7 years I owned a PS3, the whole updating experience, terrible load times and average quality of the expensive games and rubbish wifi kind of sealed it (along with all the other Sony related issues such as poor security and not being able to change your username or play music whilst gaming ). It was just a netflix machine but now considering how netflix doesn't have the content I like and the quality is mediocre compared with blueray Its been reduced to a blueray machine and netflix is no more for me at the moment.

The standard sixaxis PS3 controller has the slipperiest thumb grips ever I had to get rubber addons and the PS2 dual shock controller alienates for weight and feel.

Yea the PS3 is just a really good blueray player.



btw the xboxone cant actually play music whilst games are running ... even though the xbox360 could, nor up until recently could one of them ( I think the PS4 ) play MP3.


Last edited by on 15 January 2016 at 11:34 pm UTC
Cyba.Cowboy Jan 23, 2016
AfterShokz Gamez... We have a whole house full of AfterShokz gear (including the recently crowd-funded "Trekz Titanium" and I simply cannot recommend them highly enough... You could also look at the Trekz Titanium, but I believe there's a bit of a wait, since those that crowd-funded it are the priority.

Anyway, the AfterShokz products are surprisingly good quality, sweat-resistant (I can personally vouch for this - I've been running with my Trekz Titanium for most of summer!) and safe for your ears.
mindplague Jan 25, 2016
I love the DS4 controller! Most comfy and satisfying controller to date. Glad to hear it will work on SteamOS.

I have several controllers and the xb360 (including aftermarket) controllers work the best so far on Steam. But they feel off somehow. Being a kid that grew up on Nintendo, Sega, and Playstation, the latter had the best controllers by far. Steam Controller is good but not going to be my go-to controller. At least not immediately until devs build games around it or have half decent default control schemes. The community schemes are hit-or-miss.

Anyways, just my two cents. Exciting stuff!!
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