Linux 7.4 adds Switch 2 USB support and AMD Zen 6 security updates

The Linux 7.4 kernel includes a new driver for Switch 2 controllers, developed by Vicki Pfau on behalf of Valve. This driver provides USB support for the Joy-Con 2, Pro Controller 2, and the GameCube pad. Bluetooth pairing is not included because the current kernel Bluetooth plumbing cannot handle the non-standard pairing used by Switch 2. Users will also lack motion sensor and battery reporting for these controllers. Because the evdev API cannot properly drive linear actuators, rumble currently only provides a basic buzz. The hardware uses a split-interface design where button input and rumble use the HID interface while other functions use a separate configuration interface.

The 7.4 kernel also adds a driver for Pulsar gaming mice, including the X2 V2, X2H, X2A, and Xlite V3 models. This driver works via cable or 1 kHz and 4 kHz wireless dongles and reports battery level, voltage, and charging status. It also supports the Kysona M600 ATK, VXE R1 SE+, and VXE Dragonfly R1 Pro.

For AMD Zen 6 processors, the kernel introduces a more efficient security mitigation. It uses a new BTB CTX isolation feature to allow the expensive SafeRET Speculative Return Stack Overflow (SRSO) mitigation to be disabled. The kernel also adds sensor hub support for upcoming Zen 6 Ryzen chips. Linux 7.4 is currently in its merge window and a stable version is anticipated in about two months.