Valve adds .apk files to Steam Frame’s menu
Valve has released SteamOS 0.5.6 for Steam Frame, introducing the ability to add .apk files to the right-click “add to steam” menu in Desktop mode. This feature allows users to place an Android package on the same library shelf as a Steam game. To access this build, users can opt into the Frame’s Beta channel by navigating to Settings > System > System Update Channel.
The Android VR games on the Frame run inside Lepton, the container that Valve open-sourced in September. While the update changes the route a package takes, it does not specify which .apk files are compatible, and there is no mention of the Play Store in the patch notes.
Desktop mode in the Frame refers to its own desktop environment, separate from the VR dashboard. This new menu can be accessed from the desktop interface, eliminating the need for a PC, cable, or developer-mode tool typically required for sideloading Android packages onto a standalone headset.
Valve disables mDNS announcements on the Frame
In the same build, Valve has disabled avahi-daemon publishing mDNS, which was causing issues with mDNS mappings and shutdown delays. This change aims to improve performance and streamline the user experience. Additionally, the update enhances the performance overlay’s reporting of battery and memory usage and resolves connectivity issues with the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter.
Echo cancellation for external microphones
The update also includes echo cancellation and noise suppression for external microphones, ensuring a clear audio experience for users. This feature applies to external microphones plugged into the headset, addressing previous audio issues. Valve indicates that these features are enabled by default on the beta channel.
Version numbers jump to 0.5.6
Valve’s version numbering for the Frame has jumped from 0.4 to 0.5.6 with this latest release. While the features are still in the testing phase on the Beta channel, users can expect continued improvements and enhancements. The update follows a series of incremental releases, with the general 0.4 release preceding the current 0.5.6 build.
