We were so close to seeing another gaming handheld ship with Linux out of the box that isn't the Steam Deck, but it seems AYANEO with the AYANEO NEXT LITE weren't convinced enough and so they've changed their minds.
Originally announced as shipping with SteamOS, but then clarified later it would be HoloISO, which is a Linux distribution that's pretty close to SteamOS. AYANEO aren't entirely dropping it though, as they will still be offering HoloISO Linux (it's like SteamOS), but the device will now instead ship with Windows 11.
Writing on X (Twitter) they put out a statement and here's the relevent bit copied out of the image:
Following the announcement of the operating system for AYANEO NEXT LITE, players and friends have shown great interest and engaged in lively discussions. Some players provided feedback indicating the continued preference for a Windows operating system. "Real Gamers, Know Gamers," and in response to this valuable feedback, we are pleased to announce that AYANEO NEXT LITE will come pre-installed with the genuine Windows 11 64-bit Home Edition operating system. Of course, players can still choose to install HoloISO on their own. AYANEO's official website provides HoloISO system images that are officially adapted and compatible for players to download and experience. The streamlined and efficient HololSO system aims to offer players a more convenient game management, smooth and stable gaming performance, lower overall power consumption, and native compatibility with both controllers and touchscreen operations. This approach aligns with the gaming habits of handheld device users, providing players with a richer selection of operating systems.
Real Gamers, Know Gamers huh? That's…a peculiar thing to say here.
This is a shame to see, as this could have helped to continue the Linux push for gaming. At least they will still be offering it up for download, but as we long-timers know, most people don't generally change their operating system on any device.
Hopefully sometime soon Valve will finally properly release SteamOS 3 for other hardware vendors, as SteamOS carries more weight to it than community-rebuilds like HoloISO. A lot of it is in the name, as players and hardware vendors would likely be more confident with SteamOS directly.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
legluondunet Jan 25
This is one of the strong points of the Valve console.
hardpenguin Jan 25
rustybroomhandle Jan 25
Stories like this happen every few years. In the early 2010s, a local government in some European city (I forget which) announced they were entirely switching to Linux in all their public service departments. 2 weeks go by, "no, sorry we're sticking with Windows". Turns out they had a visit from a Microsoft sales rep.Yeah, sounds like some Men in Black from M$ stepped quickly in and proposed "an offer that cannot be refused" to them....
Its sick...
The streamlined and efficient HololSO system aims to offer players a more convenient game management, smooth and stable gaming performance, lower overall power consumption, and native compatibility with both controllers and touchscreen operations. This approach aligns with the gaming habits of handheld device users, providing players with a richer selection of operating systems.
It seems weird that in their statement announcing the switch to Windows, they highlight the benefits of HoloISO, and offered no tangible reason for switching to Windows other than literally "Real Gamers, Know Gamers".
To me, this thing only ever made sense as a low powered Steam Deck alternative, lighter, weaker, but more than capable of playing all the small indie games which typically work on Linux. Sticking Windows on it seems to imply people want to play games like Destiny on it, but at that point, surely it's just worth spending a bit extra and getting an Ally or something that can play those games properly.
Stories like this happen every few years. In the early 2010s, a local government in some European city (I forget which) announced they were entirely switching to Linux in all their public service departments. 2 weeks go by, "no, sorry we're sticking with Windows". Turns out they had a visit from a Microsoft sales rep.
The Munich affair? Yeah, that was something. It's FOSS has a piece on it: https://itsfoss.com/munich-linux-failure/
Stories like this happen every few years. In the early 2010s, a local government in some European city (I forget which) announced they were entirely switching to Linux in all their public service departments. 2 weeks go by, "no, sorry we're sticking with Windows". Turns out they had a visit from a Microsoft sales rep.The city was Munich, and they didn't change their minds after 2 weeks - they actually switched to Linux (the switch started in 2004 and took until 2013), and then switched back (2017) when another party took over the city government after the election. Microsoft moved their German HQ to the city as part of the deal.
https://itsfoss.com/munich-linux-failure/
neon_soaked_chryssalid Jan 25
pleasereadthemanual Jan 25
Mohandevir Jan 25
Oh well, shame on them.
For my part, the Steam Deck is the only true PC handheld. All others are badly executed and pale imitations. Probably the 3millions+ who bought the Steam Deck and stuck with SteamOS are thinking the same.
Last edited by Mohandevir on 25 January 2024 at 6:48 pm UTC
I don't know what happened, but the fact that they do not even offer the console with HoloISO as a purchase option, makes me suspect they were having problems with HoloISO customization for the handheld. We will see when it is launched and someone installs the HoloISO image.
Stories like this happen every few years. In the early 2010s, a local government in some European city (I forget which) announced they were entirely switching to Linux in all their public service departments. 2 weeks go by, "no, sorry we're sticking with Windows". Turns out they had a visit from a Microsoft sales rep.
Disappointing. They will have to pay for the Windows license, so either they increase the price, reduce the profits or both.It's entirely possible MS gave them a deal that's paying out for them.
I don't know what happened, but the fact that they do not even offer the console with HoloISO as a purchase option, makes me suspect they were having problems with HoloISO customization for the handheld. We will see when it is launched and someone installs the HoloISO image.
It's entirely possible MS gave them a deal that's paying out for them.For their sake I hope they managed to extract a big bag of money out of Microsoft rather than simply being swayed by a Microsoft-funded astroturf campaign or being leant on for licence fees for their other products if they sell a non-Windows product (those both also being standard Microsoft techniques).
I assume the market share of the device will be less than negligible and wouldn't have done a lot for "wider adoption" anyway.The market share isn't the issue; it's the general perception that Windows isn't the only option. Microsoft really don't want that. Valve can't be bribed or intimidated into dropping their Linux plans, but everyone else is a viable target.
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