14 DAY TRIAL // Valve has released a new Beta version of its Steam client, making a few improvements to the software that should be immediately visible to users, especially in terms of performance.
The Steam developers usually make a number of intermediary releases before a stable and a large version of the application are launched. The current update is just one of these versions and, even if it's a Beta, some users might notice improvements.
Valve takes its time when it comes to improving the Steam client and its updates take care of just a few things. This way, it is easy to spot a problem if something goes wrong after an update for the software.
According to the changelog, the In-Home Streaming feature that allows Linux users to stream games from a Windows-powered PC that also has Steam installed has received a couple of improvements. For example, the stuttering and out-of-order frame display that happened with some hardware setups have been corrected and the compatibility with some Wi-Fi setups, which could block video packets, causing black screens, has been improved.
Windows users will also find that the compatibility with older AMD and Intel processors that broke in the May 21 Steam Beta update has been fixed.
Keep in mind that this is a Beta version and you might experience some problems with it. In order to get it, you have to enroll in the Beta program, from Preferences, and to restart the application.
If you already are in the Beta program, you won't have to do anything special. After you start the application, you will be prompted to update it.
Valve is going through a very busy period in its existence and it seems that it might have taken on more than it can carry. The company has recently announced that it will no longer be able to ship the Steam Machines consoles in 2014, as previously said, and it had to push the launch into 2015.
With all this work on its plate that also includes the developments of the Linux-based SteamOS, it’s likely that we won't see as many Steam updates, at least not in the next six months. Fortunately for us, the software is pretty stable and users don't have too many problems with it.
It is possible that Valve will step up the development of the In-Home Streaming feature in anticipation of the 2015 release of Steam Machines, but the overall functionality of the application will remain largely the same.