Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Linux 3.17 Kernel Released With Xbox One Controller Support

Posted by samzenpus on from the check-it-out dept.

An anonymous reader writes The Linux 3.17 kernel was officially released today. Linux 3.17 presents a number of new features that include working open-source AMD Hawaii GPU support, an Xbox One controller driver, free-fall support for Toshiba laptops, numerous ARM updates, and other changes.

10 of 114 comments (clear)

  1. Please explain by stair69 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Why does a driver for a game controller need to be incorporated into the kernel?

    1. Re:Please explain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      It doesn't, you can load it as a module.

    2. Re:Please explain by skids · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It doesn't, you can load it as a module.

      ...or run the alternative userspace driver, which linux supports doing as well.

      What really should be the question is why can't even Microsoft, which despite their software reputation generally is well reguarded for input accessories, not present a consistent interface across different generations of controllers. It's not like there isn't an enumeration standard they could follow.

      --
      Someone had to do it.
    3. Re:Please explain by shione · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Because the xbox controller is the de facto standard controller in windows and on steam. And Linus knows that to get Linux onto everyones desktop one of the biggest shortcomings in Linux is mainstream commercial software and games. Steam OS (which cqan be installed over linux and not just standalone) sorta fixes that so it helps if the OS already has controller support.

      What I am waiting for is when Linux has out of the box support for those $1 usb bluetooth modules. They are a bitch to get working and really needed when youre setting up Linux as a HTPC and you dont want a huge IR module hanging out of your pc.

    4. Re:Please explain by Chaos+Incarnate · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Microsoft didn't want to allow the Xbox One to accept Xbox 360 controllers, so they chose to scrap XInput support from the Xbox One controllers. That PC users can't use the controllers is just an unfortunate side-effect.

      --
      Benford's Corollary to Clarke's Law: "Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced."
    5. Re:Please explain by HalAtWork · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Couldn't they just have a USB ID/Bluetooth ID whitelist?

      --
      Twinstiq, game news
  2. Systemd should replace the kernel. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why do we even have a Linux kernel these days?

    It's late 2014, for crying out loud. It's almost 2015! We shouldn't have to deal with a Linux kernel. We should just have to install systemd and then we can have a working system.

    The Linux kernel needs to go. It needs to be replaced with systemd.

  3. Re:Linux games by shione · · Score: 5, Informative

    No games to play???

    http://store.steampowered.com/...

    998 games and counting

    including...

    Xcom Enemy Unknown
    Wasteland 2

    Portal 2
    Counter Strike
    Left 4 Dead 2
    DOTA 2
    TF2
    Garys Mod
    Half Life 2
    Civ 5
    Borderlands 2
    Witcher 2
    System Shock 2
    Killing Floor

    How many games does a platform have to have so it doesnt have "no games to play" ?

  4. Re:Linux games by skine · · Score: 4, Informative

    World of... oh what was the name of that game... it's on the tip of my tongue....

    Goo?

  5. Re:I'm shocked by marcello_dl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Torvalds tried to joke and call it linux 3.18, but that broke the kernelversiond of systemd, which in turn messed the /dev tree so his printer started DDoSing his cellphone.
    All in all, a very windowsish experience.

    --
    ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol