Valve has updated the Linux kernel for its Steam Frame headset to include support for optical disc drives. The change follows a request from a user on the Steam Community forums, who noted that the device could not power or read external drives, hindering their ability to play legacy PC games.
Valve developer Gabe Rowe confirmed the update on October 19, just one day after the initial request. The commit adds support for the generic CD-ROM layer, SCSI CD-ROM drivers, and generic SCSI device access as loadable modules in the ARM64 kernel configuration. These drivers are standard components within the Linux ecosystem.
Despite the kernel update, the feature is not yet available to end users, as Valve has not announced a release date for the corresponding SteamOS update. Additionally, hardware limitations remain, as the user reported that a 60 W USB-C hub was insufficient to power the external drive.
The Steam Frame is primarily designed for streaming content from a PC, though it supports standalone gaming. Currently, owners who purchased the device for $1,059 or more would need to compile a custom kernel from the public source code to utilize this functionality immediately.
