This would presumably let x86 windows games run on ARM hardware.
This is almost certainly meant for the next Valve VR headset, but ARM has so much better power efficiency than x86 that a future ARM based Deck would be a huge improvement to battery life.
Also see this tweet:
VR games that have already secretly pushed Android ARM builds onto the Steam Store are ran via Waydroid (androidARM to LinuxARM)
VR games that do not have an ARM build on Steam (windows x86) are being translated/emulated via ProtonARM and FEX
Edit: here’s gamingonlinux coverage of this info, includes some more information
I could see a budget Deck with an ARM processor, but I still doubt the flagship model wouldn’t be x86-64
I don’t think a budget deck is likely tbh. The non oled deck already goes for 250 on sales. To make a clear distinction the budget one would need to be <150. And I don’t think that’s feasible with all the other hardware necessary alone. Except making it a lot smaller which I don’t think is a good approach.
Well you may be right and Valve may only be aiming to support some of the already-existing handhelds out there that are ARM based.
Valve does know how to play the long game on support, so time will tell.