X86 emulation is a constantly evolving and changing platform for Android handhelds. Ranging from the classics like GameNative to full on SteamOS on Android with platforms like ArmadaOS. Enter DroidDeck, the tool hoping to be the new middle ground between the two. Merging Android with SteamOS without a whole extra operating system is definitely a tricky place to land, but with the latest 0.7.1 release, they seem deadest on making it happen.
As always there’s a few ways to check out more on DroidDeck, and I’ll always recommend giving them a click. Whether that’s the GitHub for more information, or their Discord if you’d like to talk to their community. There’s plenty to check out, and even more to enjoy. As usual I’ll be dropping the big updates in bold for your help, and while not every update will be here, you can check their Github for more.
0.7.1 Features
- Added Scarlet Snow Theme, which is DroidDeck’s first light theme (@EnzoDLofi, #2262)
- Added left and right picture alignment next to top and bottom (@EnzoDLofi, #2384)
- GOG installs the DLC you own, and searches GOG’s whole catalog (@maxjivi05, #2348, #2296)
0.7.0 Features
- Initial Mali, PowerVR and Xclipse support. DroidDeck detects the GPU and picks a driver, with MaliBridge and Venus on Mali and open driver pairs elsewhere. (@ASEbrahim, @mr-abccc, @The412Banner, @wallentx, @Leask, @stefanz92, @DavidCimo, @maxjivi05, @K11MCH1, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #1587, #2027, #1950, #2029, #2157)
- Added the KDE desktop on the bottom screen beside a Steam session or a game. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1966)
- Added swap screens: play on the bottom screen while the top screen shows the Dashboard or the desktop. Use the swap button in the panel bar or Show the game on in the session menu. (@The412Banner, #2006)
- Added shared Steam libraries with other pc gaming apps. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1967, #2023, #2054)
- Added the Game Jolt store. (@FX192, #1986, #1989)
- Added built-in Syncthing. (@superboo07, #1442)
- Added bottom-screen Dashboard for dual-screen handhelds. (@The412Banner, #1920, #1933, #1968)
- Added a Horizontal DroidDeck HUD Style. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, @The412Banner, @KeegantheVeganat0r, #1935, #1937, #1982, #2194, #2235)
- A hardware mouse and keyboard work like they would on PC. (@maxjivi05, #2053, #2133, #2139)
- Added unified controller profiles for Game and Desktop sessions. (@Delete228, @maxjivi05, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #1439, #2215, #2221, #2238, #2242)
- Added Startup choices: Never, Steam or Desktop. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1993)
- Added a low-storage warning switch, and an Android keyboard for game text fields setting. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2244, #2236)
- Added live wallpapers to Android’s wallpaper picker. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2012)
General Improvements:
- Auto picks DD-Turnip on Adreno 7xx, and the upstream RADV pair on Xclipse 950 and 960. Auto follows the published table on Adreno 6xx and 8xx, and a driver source that is down no longer changes the pick. (@maxjivi05, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #1978, #2158, #2151, #2233, #2255, #2226)
- A configurable stick dead zone for physical controllers, 0 to 25%. (@vitamin663-sys, #1780)
- The drawer’s frame limit works in desktop mode. (@K11MCH1, #1885)
- Faster Steam: compatibility mapping and app info load in batches, and Steam shows cached library art when it starts without a connection. (@ddd-ms, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #1755, #1756, #1985, #2212, #2203)
- Added Enhanced diagnostics. (@wallentx, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #2129, #2099, #2131)
- Added auto updates for FEX, DXVK and VKD3D-Proton in DroidDeck-Proton. (@maxjivi05, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #2156, #2190, #2193, #2223)
- An installed DroidDeck-Proton becomes the default for Steam games and added shortcuts when nobody picked Proton Experimental. (@maxjivi05, #2266)
- Little Nightmares keeps its render thread, +12.7% FPS on the Retroid Pocket Duo, and Adreno 722 has fewer DXVK stalls. (@maxjivi05, #1930, #2066)
- A resumed session reads its memory back from zram at once and frees launcher memory earlier under pressure, and idle game memory is compressed before low-RAM devices run out. (@l4nr3, @xXJSONDeruloXx, #1839, #2138, #2187)
- On-screen sticks are lighter to hold, and Low latency off is honored. (@maxjivi05, #2048)
- The HUD cycles colors with the Inner Gamer theme. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1932, #1976, #2013, #2011, #2003, #1983)
- Every session log now records CPU clocks, thermal status and battery temperature. (@angelrenefm, #2060, #2061, #2062)
- Added games scan one at a time and keep what they found across launches, and imported Steam games with no known build update only when launched. (@K11MCH1, #2067, #2064)
- Steam’s VRAM budget is applied through Vulkan without rejecting allocations, and the download monitor no longer freezes a session on slow storage. D3D12 support is detected per device. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2014, #2020, #2134)
- Every bottom-screen panel now has the same bar.. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2084, #2110)
- On the Duo and Thor, DroidDeck switches to single-screen mode while another window holds the bottom screen. (@maxjivi05, #1979, #2232, #2229, #2247)
- The HUD shows GPU load and clock without root on phones where Android blocks them. (@The412Banner, @angelrenefm, #1969, #1981, #2059)
- Added independent 1% and 0.1% low toggles to the HUD. (@KeegantheVeganat0r, #2127)
- EA games install the EA app through Steam. (@K11MCH1, #2036, #2037, #2045)
- The desktop session follows the app language. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1971)
- The desktop shows programs installed by Windows installers. (@K11MCH1, #2146)
- Follow screen resolution can be scaled down. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1964)
- Added a Hold Back for Steam shortcuts switch. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #1955)
- Added size, opacity and hidden keys settings for the on-screen PC keyboard. (@Dantalian-dev, #1897)
- Added World of Warcraft addon import from a zip. (@maxjivi05, #2111, #2171, #2175, #2219)
- UBWC compatibility moved from Components to Settings, and FEX’s Use Default shows which preset it resolves to. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2008, #2225)
- Steam launch options show on the Launch tab. (@wallentx, #2163)
- GOG achievements are on by default. (@xXJSONDeruloXx, #2168)
- Translations: every missing string is translated, with a fresh Russian pass. (@maxjivi05, @flexeykinDev, #1965, #2116)
With how much was in this update, I recommend checking out their Github for additional improvements to the platform. With how much DroidDeck is improving at the moment, I can imagine this is going to quickly become a popular option for those not wanting to install ArmadaOS or similar onto their devices. I certainly can’t wait to see what’s next.
