Sony PlayStation DualSense Driver Headlines The HID Updates For Linux 5.12

The HID subsystem updates were sent in this morning for the ongoing Linux 5.12 merge window.

Most significant to the HID updates in this kernel is the introduction of the Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller driver. Sony published this driver back at the end of last year and is fully open-source and supporting USB and Bluetooth modes of operation and all key features from LEDs and motion sensors to battery reporting, rumble, light bar control, and more. Sony is expected to expand the hardware support handled by this driver in due course.

Sony hasn't spelled out why they wrote this new PlayStation DualSense controller driver and their motives for officially maintaining it, but likely comes down to being able to support the PS5 controllers moving forward with Android-based devices and other Linux-powered hardware.

The HID pull also includes unified battery reporting feature for Logitech devices, improved power management with the Intel ISH (Intel Sensor Hub) driver, support for more Goodix devices, and better handling for the generic HID keyboard driver. The Logitech support also includes support for keyboard events with the eQUAD Step 4 Gaming and supporting the new Lightspeed connection capabilities. Intel ISH also now supports Tiger Lake H.

The full list of HID changes for the Linux 5.12 merge window can be found via this pull request.