Steam Machine E-Ink Faceplates are Making Progress

Steam Machine is getting another accessory option as JSAUX continues to develop a custom e-ink and dot-matrix display faceplate. The accessory adds a customizable display to the front of the Steam Machine, supporting system information, calendars, images, weather, and other display options.

JSAUX has been working on an e-ink pixel-matrix dot-matrix display faceplate for the Steam Machine, and the project is progressing. The project will include both an e-ink and a dot-matrix version, each designed for customization. The display can show CPU usage, GPU usage, temperatures, and other system information.

SteamOS Controls and Display Options

It can also display a calendar, images, or other content, depending on how it is configured. JSAUX has now shared behind-the-scenes footage showing the actual e-ink testing. The footage is not rendered or sped up, and it shows the display's actual refresh behavior. The footage shows the display being controlled through SteamOS. You can adjust brightness and refresh rate, and select different display modes.

Options include custom displays, calendars, internal matrix performance information, clocks, and weather. Different tiles can be configured for different information, giving the display several ways to present useful data. The custom option could also display an e-ink photo, image, or other content. The footage even shows the display running at 60fps.

Valve has already created its own e-ink faceplate and open-sourced it. However, that option requires users to handle the components and build the project themselves. JSAUX says the goal is to make something for people who do not want to solder components, buy many separate parts, or use a 3D printer.

Steam Machine Accessory Progress

The company is working toward a product that can be purchased and installed without going through that process. JSAUX also offers an email notification option for those who want to be notified when the faceplate becomes available. The company has been sharing progress through its social accounts and Discord community.

The project has already been covered in several updates, and seeing the display in action gives a better idea of what the finished accessory could offer. We are still waiting for the final product to become available for purchase and for reviews from people using it with the Steam Machine.

If you are interested in the Steam Machine, the bigger question is whether you have managed to get one yet or are still waiting. Some people may have moved on from the Steam Machine, while others may be waiting for the Steam Frame instead. There is also a 24-hour livestream tracking the Steam Frame release date, along with a poll where people can vote on when they expect it to release.

Steam Machine owners could soon get a customizable JSAUX e-ink Faceplate.

JSAUX has become known for making accessories for the Steam Deck, and the company is now moving into Steam Machine accessories as well. The e-ink faceplate is one of the projects currently in development, and there may be additional accessories in the future.

It will also be interesting to see what JSAUX creates for the Steam Frame when that hardware becomes available. Steam Machine has received less discussion since its launch, and availability may still be an issue because of the reservation queue. People who want one may still have to sign up and wait for a chance to buy one.

More Steam Machine sales and continued hardware support would give Valve another reason to keep expanding the platform. Accessories such as the JSAUX display could also give owners more ways to customize their hardware. For anyone interested in the JSAUX faceplate, the main question now is how much the finished product will cost and whether the feature set will make it worth buying.