The Linux kernel has been updated for some new hardware that still includes the AMD Van Gogh APU, which is currently only used in the Steam Deck. Popular speculation is that Valve will release an updated Steam Deck, one that still uses the same APU (so same performance), but had other changes to the hardware. Possibly different screen, larger battery, etc.
Possible code name for the hardware is Galileo.
If you want more/better info, I’d recommend reading the linked article.
Wild speculation: Might this be for the Deckard instead? While I would expect that to run on a newer processing unit, I’d expect the Deckard to come before any hardware refresh.
Not sure if there is a world where this makes sense, though. Perhaps they are using that APU internally for prototypes? Not sure if it would be added to the kernel for that…
Edit: Reading more detailed rumours and speculation, Deckard or Deckard-related tec seems to be the most plausible explanation.
It may be possible to run VR extremely well on the Steam Deck’s APU if Valve uses eye-tracked foveated rendering.
Doesn’t that require the game to support it though? Won’t do much for the existing vr library
No, foveated rendering doesn’t need the game to support it I use it all the time
I sure hope so.
SteamVR development also picked up pace the last few months and VR support was added to gamescope a while back. So something must be coming, and it’s Linux based.
That’s not wild speculation, just normal speculation. It’d also maybe possible that the refreshed sephiroth chip that’s also been found recently could be used in both a deck refresh and deckard.
Valve does tend to re-use hardware between different products when it makes sense anyways. The watchman dongle for SteamVR controller data was just a Steam Controller dongle. You can actually flash the firmwares between each.