The latest update to Windows has brought a plethora of new features that make the overall experience a lot better than before. One of the most significant updates that came along with this is the improved handheld companion on Steam Deck. This article will discuss these new features and how they can make gaming on Steam Deck even more exciting.
Steam Deck and other handhelds running on Windows have received a new update that has brought in some exciting new features. The most significant of them being the manual clock control and the addition of a new overlay that can be controlled from the side menu. In this article, we will discuss how these new features can enhance the gaming experience on handheld devices.
The Handheld Companion Update
The updated handheld companion on Steam Deck can now be found in the tray, making it easy to locate and start. However, before exploring the new features, it is necessary to update it first. The settings menu contains the update, and once clicked, the update will be downloaded and installed.
The Features
Once the handheld companion is updated, numerous features become available to Steam Deck users. This article will focus on the main ones, which can be found on the side menu. The first significant feature worth mentioning is the HD Rumble controller section. This feature provides for excellent haptics, but it also comes at the cost of the CPU. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the game you are playing is not too demanding on the CPU.
Other Features
Aside from the HD Rumble feature, the update also brings other exciting features to Steam Deck. One of these features is the new-and-improved side menu. This new menu provides users with streamlined access to various functions, allowing for a more efficient and enjoyable gaming experience. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the user interface and overall system performance.
New Hardware Button Shortcuts Added to the Handheld Companion
The Steam Deck has been the talk of the gaming town lately, and for all the right reasons! Valve’s latest addition to the gaming world has brought a revolution to the handheld gaming market. With its unique design and high-end specs, the Steam Deck has already made its mark in the industry. But Valve is not done yet! In the latest update, the company has added new hardware button shortcuts to the handheld companion, making the Steam Deck even more user-friendly and functional.
Five New Shortcuts:
If you’ve updated your Steam Deck recently, you’ll notice the new shortcuts right away. Scroll down to find five new shortcuts that have been added to the handheld companion. These five shortcuts are very useful and practical, making the gaming experience even smoother.
Fan Control:
The first new shortcut is the fan control. So, how does it work? Well, you can set a value for the fan and use a shortcut to turn the fan off or on to that value. This feature is not limited to just in-game; you can use it anytime you wish. This shortcut ensures that your Steam Deck stays cool and performs its best.
Brightness Control:
The second shortcut is turning the brightness up or down. You can use the option button with the d-pad to change the brightness, which works flawlessly in-game. This shortcut is very helpful, especially when playing in dimly lit environments.
Volume Control:
The third shortcut is volume control. This is another very useful feature that has been added to the handheld companion. You can set the option button with the d-pad left and right to increase or decrease the volume, which will drastically improve your gaming experience.
Side Menu:
The fourth addition is the side menu, which makes navigating through Windows on your Steam Deck a lot easier. Although the menu remains the same, clicking on the battery icon now reveals another function – fan overdrive. This enables you to control the fan’s speed precisely from inside the game, making the Handle Companion much better than Steam Deck tools.
:
The new hardware button shortcuts added to the handheld companion have made the Steam Deck even more efficient and user-friendly. Valve’s commitment to enhancing the user experience is laudable, and this update confirms it. These five new shortcuts are practical, easy-to-use, and have made our gaming life so much better. So, if you own a Steam Deck, make sure you update and try out these fantastic new features!
Enhanced Companion Menu Settings for the Steam Deck
With the release of Valve’s latest handheld device, the Steam Deck, there has been increased excitement and anticipation about what this gaming console can offer. The Steam Deck Companion Menu, in particular, has generated plenty of buzz. Recently, Valve announced that they have added several useful settings to the Companion Menu that allow users to adjust game settings without leaving the game itself.
Motion Controls
With the updated Companion Menu on the Steam Deck, users can map their aiming to the motion controls of the device. This setting is especially useful for users who prefer a more immersive gaming experience. By simply incorporating the motions of their hands, gamers on the Steam Deck can now aim with greater accuracy and ease.
FPS Limiter
Another useful setting added to the Companion Menu is the FPS Limiter. This feature enables users to control the frames per second (FPS) inside the game, which can save battery life and make gaming on the Steam Deck more enjoyable. Additionally, this game setting is now available on Windows S, making it even more accessible and user-friendly.
TDP Control
The Steam Deck Companion Menu also includes TDP Control, which enables users to adjust the Thermal Design Point (TDP) from inside the game. Furthermore, users can set keyboard shortcuts for TDP control to make it even easier to use. In addition, there is an Automatic TDP feature, which targets the best TDP for the frame rate the Steam Deck is running on.
Energy Performance Preference
Finally, the Energy Performance Preference setting allows gamers to choose between CPU or GPU preference, depending on their game’s needs. This setting ensures that your game is at its optimal performance level, showing that the Steam Deck is not just another gaming console for casual gamers, but it’s a device that can cater to pro gamers as well.
Manual Clock Control
The manual clock control feature allows users to control the clocks of the GPU right from the menu while inside the game. This feature is quite amazing as it gives users more control over their device’s processing power, which can lead to smoother gameplay. With this feature, users can easily adjust the clock speeds of the GPU, which can have a significant impact on the device’s overall performance.
New Overlay Added
The new overlay added to the Steam Deck and other handhelds running on Windows is also a great feature. The overlay can be controlled from the side menu and offers a range of different stats showing the Steam Deck’s various performance metrics. Users can see the FPS of the game they are playing, the power levels of the GPU, and the CPU’s utilization.
Control from the Side Menu
As mentioned earlier, both of these features can be controlled from the side menu, which is extremely convenient. Users can easily access these features without having to navigate through multiple menus and options. Being able to enable or disable these features, as well as show more or less details, is a huge plus for users who want to customize their gaming experience.
In , the new Windows features, particularly the improved handheld companion update on Steam Deck, can take your gaming experience to the next level. From the HD Rumble controller section to the better side menu, these features all work together to create a more fluid and immersive gaming experience. So, if you are a gamer, it might be worth your while to check out these new features and see what they can do for you.
These game settings are just some of the innovative features offered by the enhanced Steam Deck Companion Menu. The menu provides several useful settings for users to customize their gaming experience without the need to exit the game. This design change shows Valve’s commitment to creating a more user-friendly gaming console and reinforces the Steam Deck’s merits as a powerful mobile gaming device.
In , the new update for the handheld companion for Steam Deck and other handhelds running on Windows is a significant step forward in making these devices more customizable and user-friendly. The manual clock control and the addition of the new overlay make it easier for users to adjust the device’s performance according to their needs. We extend our thanks to the developers for their hard work and dedication in making these features possible. We hope this article was informative, and if you found it useful, please consider subscribing for more content.
