Positive developments for Android are underway.
Positive developments for Android are underway.
Chrome OS is being phased out and replaced by the Android-powered Aluminum OS. Valve is developing Lepton, similar to Proton but tailored for Linux-based Android applications. I’m excited about the possibility of moving away from Windows entirely—using Aluminum OS on a gaming PC before needing a high-end Android phone for mobile gaming. Anyone else envisioning a desktop version of Android once it’s officially launched? What would your setup look like?
Waydroid is available now, likely inspired by Lepton. It requires strong keyboard/controller compatibility and possibly an updated Android version.
Proton acts as the bridge enabling Windows gameplay on Linux systems.
This seems interesting, but what exactly is Valve doing with Android on Linux? Before I even shared it, I realized they’re planning to include Android apps on Steam Deck and Steam machines. It’s a really smart strategy. I’d definitely consider using a GabeCube as a living room tablet if it could double as a large screen device.
Lepton is a variation of Waydroid. Many users might find it unappealing since Waydroid doesn't support NVIDIA's exclusive drivers, a limitation Valve can't easily resolve—so alternatives like NewOom or software rendering are necessary. It works with AMD and Intel systems. https://github.com/waydroid/waydroid/iss...2900742202 FEX isn't developed by Valve nor specifically for Android. While Valve has supported the project, it remains unclear why Android desktop support exists.
It's quite unexpected. The focus is on the overall concept. A huge amount of VR content exists, but most practical uses are hidden in Android apps. This explains why Valve emphasizes it. They even highlight this as a key point.
They need direct access to the operating system, but Linux doesn’t allow that by default. They’ll only work with the most basic level of system control.