It should make Windows on a handheld easier. If you run SteamOS, this doesn’t really strike me as particularly beneficial.
The problem with Windows is that no one but Microsoft can change it’s behavior in significant way; also, when the device need an update or new version, you still have to comply with Microsoft’s ruling.
Want to deliver a handheld with the latest Windows (11) without their “AI button”? Good luck with that. You’re not allowed to distribute any kind of Windows that Microsoft don’t like.
With SteamOS/Linux you only have to follow your customers line. If Valve make a change that people don’t like… you can edit SteamOS in your own version and keep going with what Valvdin’t.
Want to deliver a handheld with the latest Windows (11) without their “AI button”?
Microsoft doesn’t (currently) require the AI button on laptops, much less on handhelds. Your point otherwise stands, though.
If Valve make a change that people don’t like… you can edit SteamOS in your own version and keep going with what Valvdin’t.
Effectively yes; technically no. If you’re calling the OS on your device “SteamOS” then you must have an agreement with Valve, and that agreement might restrict you in this regard. If you’re not restricted, then you can’t call it SteamOS - see the AyaNeo Next Lite for an example of this. It was announced as having SteamOS but then that was walked back; it’ll be running a fork, HoloISO, instead. You can see that hinted at here:
support for your devices has to be integrated into SteamOS ahead of time. This requires coordination between you, your device vendors and Valve well ahead of the release (or even specification) of your product.
Now, you might say that this is just semantics and that it won’t have any real impact. If you did, I’d disagree. This is relevant because this fragmentation will hinder brand recognition, particularly if multiple third party “forks” of SteamOS end up getting used, both in that those devices won’t be able to benefit nearly as much from the brand recognition of SteamOS and that if one of those devices takes off, SteamOS won’t benefit as much, either.
I don’t really see the point of a keyboard in a device like this for gaming. The review says it’ll enable you to play some games that need a keyboard, but it’s just so small, I can’t ever see it being comfortable or good.
There are quite a few games which were developed primarily with kb+m in mind, but also have some controller support. So you might hit a menu or gameplay section that really requires typing or something.
On steam deck this works pretty well with the pop-up keyboard, but a physical keyboard is always a bit nicer
For DOS Gaming this could be useful. Sometimes the weirdest keybinds gets used
