Valve Wants Movies, Music on SteamOS, Controller Changed
The touch screen was removed from the Steam controller.
On Wednesday during Valve's Steam Dev Days Conference in Seattle, Valve's Anna Sweet said that Valve plans to introduce movies, TV and music to SteamOS. We already knew this based on the SteamOS description, but she indicated that media would need to be in place before Valve launches the official final version to consumers later this year.
"We're working with many of the media services you know and love. Soon we will begin bringing them online, allowing you to access your favorite music and video with Steam and SteamOS," reads the SteamOS description.
An early beta of Valve's Linux-based SteamOS was made available for free in December 2013. Based on several hands-on reports, Valve's platform isn't meant to replace a computer's operating system, but to serve up Linux-based games in the living room instead. So far both SteamOS and the Steam desktop client do not provide movies, TV shows and music.
Also stemming from Valve's Steam Dev Days Conference is additional information regarding the controller's evolution. Tweets from the convention reveal that Valve has ditched the touch screen in favor of a d-pad and standard controller buttons. A summary of Day 1 can be seen here, and reports that biometrics are important, but the hands are not the best place to capture them.
The summary, based on tweets throughout the day, also reveals that the retail controller will require two AA batteries (both rechargeable and non). The Steam Controller API supports up to 16 controllers at once, and Valve is keeping VR in mind while designing this controller. Remember that Steam Machines will not ship until this controller (along with Steam OS) is complete and ready for consumer use.
That said, the Day 1 summary points out that more changes are coming to the controller, as Valve just started processing the beta feedback, so stay tuned in that department.

its not a generic controller. the changes mentioned here refer to the center touch screen. I think they figured the touch screen would be too expensive and bothersome for the market. now Instead of looking like a cool weird controller, now it will look like a weird controller with some ugly d pad and buttons in the middle. the 2 touchpads are still on it.
You can load drivers for other controllers... this is still linux we're talking about...
And I don't know about you, but playing an fps? I want a mouse and keyboard, and I don't want to be lazily relaxing - I would pick other games that work better with a controller for that.
From what I understood They'll be replacing the touchscreen with more familiar controls. That's OK. I don't know if touchscreen would be better than dedicated tactile buttons. I think it could be a good addition but not necessarily a good replacement. My main point though is the existence of the Steam Box as a whole. It seems to be just a glorified HTPC. Any and all of it's functions can be done with existing software/equipment. For people that don't like ti tinker with their PC's, an Xbox or PS4 would be enough. Anybody else would probably prefer to simply build their own for a good bit less of money.
it's not Valve losing that I'm concerned about, it's what Valve will do to 'win'.
I agree that I don't see SteamOS take off in a big way, but to push it, if Gabe wants to throw a pissy fit, they can make say 5-10 future valve titles SteamOS exclusive... we can hate it all we want, you and I both know we'll be dual-booting SteamOS if that day comes