Latest Steam Frame beta upgrades to the new SteamVR patch, fixes battery indicator issues, and more

Valve has released a new SteamOS beta update for the Steam Frame, bringing several improvements to the headset and its controllers. The latest update, SteamOS 0.5.7, focuses on improving the overall VR experience, fixing existing issues, and adding a few new features that are still being tested.

Just a couple of days ago, Valve published its major SteamVR 2.19.1 update for the beta channel, so it’s fair to say that the VR landscape has been improving since the release of the Steam Frame. This latest version is now available in the SteamOS for Steam Frame beta. It largely focuses on image quality, text and UI readability, and it also gives users an option to compare the two versions.

What does the update offer?

SteamVR:

• SteamVR has been updated to version 2.19.1
• Improved vibration filtering for pose prediction that was affecting some units
• The display dims for 30 seconds before sleep
• Foveated sharpening is now independent from Eye Tracking (previously would disable when off, now defaults to centered)
• Removed Advanced Supersampling support on Steam Frame
• The guided tour keeps Steam docked front and center

Frame Controllers:

• Battery now shows correctly at 0%
• Added default bindings for Chromalab, Batman Arkham, and Doom VFR

OS:

• Enable support for WebXR in Chromium 157 & up

Audio:

• Fixed an issue where audio would stop working with USB or Bluetooth speakers if an application tried to access the microphone
• Added controls to selectively disable echo cancellation and noise suppression for the microphone (requires current Steam Client Beta)

You can opt into the Steam Client Beta on headset via Settings > System > Steam Client Update Channel.

Source: Steam

One of the biggest changes is the introduction of SteamVR version 2.19.1, which comes alongside improvements to vibration filtering used for tracking and predicting the headset’s position. Valve says the previous behavior was affecting some units, so the update should help address those issues.

Valve has also changed how the Steam Frame behaves when it’s about to enter sleep mode. The headset’s display will now gradually dim for 30 seconds before going to sleep, giving users a clear indication that the device is about to turn off its display.

Another improvement involves foveated sharpening, which is no longer tied to eye tracking. Previously, turning off eye tracking would also disable the sharpening feature. With the new update, foveated sharpening can remain active without eye tracking, with the effect centered on the display instead. Valve has also removed Advanced Supersampling support from the Steam Frame and adjusted the guided tour to keep Steam positioned directly in front of the user.

The Frame Controllers have received a few changes as well. The battery indicator should now correctly display 0% when the battery is empty, while default controller bindings have been added for Chromalab, Batman Arkham, and Doom VFR. 

On the operating system side, Valve has enabled WebXR support in Chromium 157 and newer versions, allowing compatible web-based VR experiences to work through the browser.

Finally, the update addresses an audio issue that could cause sound to stop working through USB or Bluetooth speakers when an application attempted to access the microphone. Valve has also introduced separate controls for disabling microphone echo cancellation and noise suppression, although these settings require the latest Steam Client Beta.

That said, the update is currently available through the Steam Frame Beta channel, meaning it won’t be installed automatically for users on the stable version. Those interested in trying it can head to Settings > System > System Update Channel and switch to the beta channel.

Written by

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.

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