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Here's something that could be exciting but also could be a whole lot of nothing. So keep expectations firmly in check, but work submitted for Linux kernel 6.6 show something interesting from Valve. Potentially a Steam Deck refresh or their new VR headset perhaps?

The note comes from Phoronix, who as usual goes over basically every little thing Linux kernel related. They found work being pulled in for Linux kernel 6.6 sound updates, that includes additions for AMD Van Gogh, the chip used in the Steam Deck. However, when you look into the full updates and scroll down for a while there's this interesting little bit:

So here we have Galileo and Sephiroth being added for Valve - the question is what are they? They're being added under "Valve Jupiter device", with Jupiter being one of the names Valve seems to use for SteamOS. Considering the current SoC in the Steam Deck is named Aerith, a refresh of Sephiroth would continue their fun Final Fantasy inspired naming.

They could point to a lot of things: a Steam Deck refresh, the new VR headset we know they're working on, some developer boards they use in-house or anything really. We really have no idea but it's always fun to wonder about what it could turn out to be.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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34 comments
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Pengling Sep 5, 2023
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Quoting: eldakingI can already see it, the beginning of their line of gaming bath toys: the Steam Duck!
Obligatory;

Liam Dawe Sep 5, 2023
Quoting: CatKiller
QuoteThey're being added under "Valve Jupiter device", with Jupiter being one of the names Valve seems to use for SteamOS.
I could be wrong, but I think that "Jupiter" is the hardware platform of the Steam Deck - the computer gubbins - and "Neptune" is the input platform of the Steam Deck - the controller gubbins. SteamOS itself is called Holo for the version with the Deck, and was named after DOTA characters for the Steam Machines - .Alchemist, Brewmaster, and Clockwerk.

If we assume that there's some underlying logic to the codename, Galileo the person and Galileo the probe are both famed for looking at Jupiter, which suggests it might be a Valve gaming platform linked somehow with visuals: a new display, or VR, maybe? It's all pretty thin, though.
It’s a little mixed on exactly what it is, because a bunch of OS packages are named Jupiter. We’ve also seen before “Jupiter OS” named directly like in a dev stream https://youtu.be/P6CUQeHIxDA?t=12417 perhaps before they settled on the name Holo for that specific SteamOS.
soulsource Sep 5, 2023
I know it's unlikely, but I'm still hoping for a new Steam Controller...

If it has a headphone jack, it could need an audio driver, right?

(At this point I pretty much convinced myself that it isn't a gamepad.)
doragasu Sep 5, 2023
Quoting: eldakingI can already see it, the beginning of their line of gaming bath toys: the Steam Duck!

That would be EPIC! (and I am not talking about the game developer )
rustybroomhandle Sep 5, 2023
Quoting: Pengling
Quoting: eldakingI can already see it, the beginning of their line of gaming bath toys: the Steam Duck!
Obligatory;


Something terrible I made a long time ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMsr6HbClyI
Mohandevir Sep 5, 2023
Just a wish and I'm probably totally wrong (I know nothing about the logic behind these codenames), but...

A Steam Deck hardware refresh (storage? Screen? Battery?) including an upgrade to a usb4 port and an egpu docking station to go with it...

One can dream...


Last edited by Mohandevir on 5 September 2023 at 3:49 pm UTC
Torqachu Sep 5, 2023
Galileo steam deck refresh or 2 with strix point apu
Sephiroth steam machine re-proposed or valve minipc with strix halo apu, display port and okulink barebones version (no ram and storage)
or vice versa

all at a modest price
benstor214 Sep 5, 2023
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Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: CatKiller
QuoteThey're being added under "Valve Jupiter device", with Jupiter being one of the names Valve seems to use for SteamOS.
I could be wrong, but I think that "Jupiter" is the hardware platform of the Steam Deck - the computer gubbins - and "Neptune" is the input platform of the Steam Deck - the controller gubbins. SteamOS itself is called Holo for the version with the Deck, and was named after DOTA characters for the Steam Machines - .Alchemist, Brewmaster, and Clockwerk.

If we assume that there's some underlying logic to the codename, Galileo the person and Galileo the probe are both famed for looking at Jupiter, which suggests it might be a Valve gaming platform linked somehow with visuals: a new display, or VR, maybe? It's all pretty thin, though.
It’s a little mixed on exactly what it is, because a bunch of OS packages are named Jupiter. We’ve also seen before “Jupiter OS” named directly like in a dev stream https://youtu.be/P6CUQeHIxDA?t=12417 perhaps before they settled on the name Holo for that specific SteamOS.
I was thinking Jupiter referred to the firmware of the Steam Deck's motherboard, while Neptune stood for the firmware of the daughterboards on which the inputs are sitting on.
Nateman1000 Sep 5, 2023
I think valve has worked on the next steam deck since the first launched
D34VA_ Sep 5, 2023
Quoting: soulsourceI know it's unlikely, but I'm still hoping for a new Steam Controller...

If it has a headphone jack, it could need an audio driver, right?

(At this point I pretty much convinced myself that it isn't a gamepad.)

I saw a Steam Controller refresh in a video. It's just a matter of them committing to it. I do suspect they are focusing on Deckard, their XR device.
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