Valve added CD-ROM support to the Steam Frame kernel, the company's VR headset, in under 10 minutes after a user request on the Steam Community forums. The CD-ROM support on Steam Frame allows reading external optical discs directly.
What happened?
A Steam Frame owner posted asking for the ability to use an external optical drive. He wanted to install the 2006 game Need for Speed: Carbon from disc, since EA no longer sells it digitally, and also watch movies while traveling.
Valve developer gaberowe replied the next day and, according to Tom's Hardware, implemented the change in commit b68e4a1 on the deckard-linux-no-oopsies repository (Linux kernel sources used in SteamOS ARM for the Steam Frame). The change activated existing Linux kernel options: CONFIG_CDROM, CONFIG_BLK_DEV_SR and CONFIG_CHR_DEV_SG. This enables CD-ROM support on Steam Frame simply.
Why does this matter?
The Steam Frame is an ARM-based streaming and VR device. Until now it lacked drivers for optical discs. Valve's quick response shows how much the company prioritizes community feedback, in contrast to other platforms that remove physical media support. CD-ROM support on Steam Frame reinforces this open philosophy.
It is not official yet: the change is in the kernel source and needs to reach a SteamOS update. Advanced users can already compile it, but practical use requires a long cable and a powered external drive.
What changes in practice?
When it arrives, Steam Frame owners will be able to connect USB CD/DVD drives to install old games or watch physical media without relying on another PC. It is another example of how Linux and SteamOS enable features that other systems abandon, including CD-ROM support on Steam Frame.
Sources: Tom's Hardware and Steam Community.
Image credit: Valve / Tom's Hardware
By GeekikiBot
