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A new Steam update released earlier today has finally introduced the promised Steam Music desktop interface, allowing users to access their favourite albums and songs using Steam without having to access Big Picture. Originally released into a Steam Client Beta in early February 2014, Steam Music allows users to interact with their music collection without having to alt-tab to an external program or having to exit a game.
The Steam Music interface can now be accessed via the new "Music" Library tab or the Steam Overlay, something previously only possible while using the controller-friendly Big Picture Mode. Music can then be shuffled, skipped, paused, or changed all together. It's been a long time coming, and it definitely brings Steam one step closer to becoming a fully fledged multi-media platform. A second update has moved the Steam Music service into an open beta, removing the need for an invitation. This likely means Valve is in the final stages of testing, so expect to see a full release of Steam Music right around the corner.
Today's Steam Client Beta update also introduced several other neat improvements, including changes to the Game Library interface (games can now be assigned to more than one category and multiple games can now be selected at the same time using Shift+Click and Ctrl+Click), increased performance for Steam's embedded web browser, and a variety of fixes for In-Home Streaming and the Big Picture Mode. This update has also concluded support for the Mac OS X 10.5 operating system, so make sure you upgrade if you haven't already.
While not officially mentioned, a new design for the Steam Controller has also been found within the updated files (Steam\tenfoot\resource\images\library folder). Known by the codename "Freeman", the new design appears to feature a new analog stick beside the two track pads the Steam Controller has become known for. It's likely Valve aren't quite ready to talk about this latest prototype right now, but it would definitely explain why the controller's release has been pushed back until at least 2015.
For a more detailed look at the changes introduced with this new Steam Client Beta update, check out the official changelog or the desktop interface announcement post over on the Steam Music community group. If you want a closer look at the Big Picture version of the Steam Music interface, be sure to head on over to our now-slightly-outdated ValveTime Spotlight episode on the subject!
The Steam Music interface can now be accessed via the new "Music" Library tab or the Steam Overlay, something previously only possible while using the controller-friendly Big Picture Mode. Music can then be shuffled, skipped, paused, or changed all together. It's been a long time coming, and it definitely brings Steam one step closer to becoming a fully fledged multi-media platform. A second update has moved the Steam Music service into an open beta, removing the need for an invitation. This likely means Valve is in the final stages of testing, so expect to see a full release of Steam Music right around the corner.
Today's Steam Client Beta update also introduced several other neat improvements, including changes to the Game Library interface (games can now be assigned to more than one category and multiple games can now be selected at the same time using Shift+Click and Ctrl+Click), increased performance for Steam's embedded web browser, and a variety of fixes for In-Home Streaming and the Big Picture Mode. This update has also concluded support for the Mac OS X 10.5 operating system, so make sure you upgrade if you haven't already.
While not officially mentioned, a new design for the Steam Controller has also been found within the updated files (Steam\tenfoot\resource\images\library folder). Known by the codename "Freeman", the new design appears to feature a new analog stick beside the two track pads the Steam Controller has become known for. It's likely Valve aren't quite ready to talk about this latest prototype right now, but it would definitely explain why the controller's release has been pushed back until at least 2015.
For a more detailed look at the changes introduced with this new Steam Client Beta update, check out the official changelog or the desktop interface announcement post over on the Steam Music community group. If you want a closer look at the Big Picture version of the Steam Music interface, be sure to head on over to our now-slightly-outdated ValveTime Spotlight episode on the subject!
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