📰 New article from Retro Handhelds
Valve Adds Initial Gamepad Support for Ayaneo Pocket S2 in SteamOS Beta 3.8.25
Valve is officially throwing its weight behind the crowded handheld market, and the latest SteamOS beta proves it’s not just a friendly wave. Version 3.8.25 brings much-needed stability to third-party devices, with a spotlight on the Ayaneo Pocket S2. This is a big deal because it marks the first time an Android-based handheld gets native gamepad support in SteamOS, signaling Valve’s serious intent to make “Steam on Arm” a reality for everyone, not just those who can afford a Steam Deck.
The update doesn’t stop there. It also adds initial support for the Konkr FIT and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, while polishing the experience for OneXPlayer and MSI Claw owners. If you’ve ever dealt with input lag or weird Wi-Fi quirks on non-Valve hardware, this release is your new best friend. They’ve even fixed that annoying habit where some handhelds would ignore your inputs if you held them at a specific angle—because apparently, ergonomics is a bug, not a feature.
Beyond the hardware wins, the beta tackles some pesky desktop mode annoyances, like HDMI lockups and boot logo flashes on gaming TVs. With a newer Linux kernel and improved battery indicators, Valve is clearly trying to smooth out the rough edges for power users. It’s a promising step toward a truly universal handheld ecosystem, proving that Valve wants Steam to run everywhere, regardless of who built the box.