Valve's updated SteamOS partner guidelines suggest an official launch of SteamOS on third-party gaming handhelds is imminent. Previous developments indicate the Asus ROG Ally may be among the first to receive official "Powered by SteamOS" certification.
While Valve's plans to offer SteamOS as a standalone operating system for other hardware have been known for a while, progress has been slow. New branding documentation from Valve, spotted by SteamDB, points to a significant step forward.
"Powered by SteamOS" Certification
The documentation references "Powered by SteamOS" devices, defined as:
"The 'Powered by SteamOS' logo indicates that a hardware device will run SteamOS and boot into SteamOS upon powering on...Partners/manufacturers will ship hardware with a Steam image...developed in close collaboration with Valve."
This, along with a "Steam compatible" badge for controllers, implies a strict validation process for SteamOS devices. This could ensure features like TDP and refresh rate controls work seamlessly out of the box.
Previous news of Valve enhancing SteamOS compatibility for the Asus ROG Ally, coupled with Valve's focus on improving support for the device, strongly suggests the Ally may be the first to receive a native, validated SteamOS implementation.
While this remains speculation, Valve has confirmed work on a third-party SteamOS handheld. The Asus ROG Ally's popularity makes it a prime candidate for this project.
