Valve have officially put out a beta version of their new Steam Link Android app, which allows you to stream games from your Linux PC to your favourite device. As expected (and as Valve previously confirmed to us), it fully supports a Linux PC as the host device.
As a reminder, you will need to update your Steam Controller's firmware in the Steam Beta Client. As we wrote about before, the Steam Controller was recently updated to support Bluetooth Low Energy mode in preparation for this. The Steam Link app is also compatible with a number of other Bluetooth pads as well.
What's interesting, is that it doesn't sound like they're parting ways with the older Steam Link device:
The dedicated Steam Link hardware units support a wide variety of input devices and are specifically designed for low latency streaming to your TV. We are continuing to support the product and believe it is a valuable part of the Steam Link ecosystem.
See the full information here. Also, here's a direct link to install the Steam Link app from the Android Play Store.
As you can tell, I'm well prepared with an empty battery…
The process you can expect, will go something like the below:
Annoyingly, once paired up, the Steam Link app took the wrong monitor. Steam opened itself in Steam Big Picture mode on my secondary monitor, so I ended up seeing me writing this article and my Android tablet starting blasting out my music—bit of a sudden shock for sure. Although, it was slightly amusing being able to see and interact with my desktop, while on my tablet. Could make for other interesting uses…
Getting around it was quite simple, dragging Steam Big Picture mode to my other monitor with GNOME's overlay seemed to work.
Sorry for the terrible picture here, I have poor lighting in my office and no good camera.
That's Feral Interactive's Linux port of GRID Autosport.
In terms of performance, it was surprisingly good. Even though I don't have my network setup too well right now, there was only a really small amount of lag, which would likely improve quite a bit once I sort 5GHz WiFi out which I will be able to do once Sin has finished livestreaming later (I don't dare touch the router settings right now).
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Quoting: ageresBad battery life can be fixed by buying a device with big battery capacity. Mine has 4,000 mAh, I recharge it once in 3 or 4 days when it goes below 40-50%. If your smartphone is popular enough, you can always find and install a fresh LineageOS build for it, fast and free from Google's/vendor's bloatware. If you want Linux in your pocket, install something like Termux.- I know big battery capacity have long standby and usage time but most of them are non-removable. Just missed old times, using phone without worrying much about if phone already charged or not.
- Termux looks interesting. I definitely checking out.
Quoting: wvstolzingAs to real Linux on 'smart' devices, there also exist projects such as these:Raspberry Pi phone? That impractical in real life. But definitely I will following the development because it's looking very interesting.
https://www.linux.com/blog/elc-open-iot/2018/1/linux-smartphone-market-heats-pitalk-gemini-pda-and-eelo
Pi Talk's kickstarter page
zerophone
The pitalk appears to have started reaching backers. I also remember people posting fully home made systems with GSM hats etc. on adafruit, from a couple of years back. This is precisely the kind of 'smartphone' I'd like to have; until then, I'm perfectly fine with not owning one.
Quoting: MayeulCWell, I'm obviously biased as a minor contributor to PostmarketOS. But that's what we are trying to do (by building a Linux distribution for existing devices).Actually, you're already suggesting me few weeks ago. PostmarketOS looks super interesting and devs loves challenges. For example, they want to install PostmarketOS on 'GPL-violator ARM chip maker' (hated name it, afraid to get sued) which is challenging and some wanted to try running PostmarketOS on Symbian s60.
https://www.postmarketos.org/
https://www.postmarketos.org/blog/2017/05/26/intro/
https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Devices
https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Porting_to_a_new_device
Keep in mind that it's not suitable f
for a daily driver just yet, as sms, call and modem are just starting to work on a few devices.
Quoting: MayeulCRegarding the Apple store situation, I'll quote what I wrote on Ars Technica:- The excuse that Apple gave is not smart. I don't think Steam link will disturb App Store sales.
QuoteValve should just open source it. There isn't much value in keeping this closed, and they couldn't do a lot against third party streaming apps popping over the store :D
- I also agree if Valve open source it, someone will RE it and thanks to Apple decision, more excuse for people will jailbreaking their iPhone/iPad to play Steam games.
Thank you all and happy monday.
Quoting: tonRI know big battery capacity have long standby and usage time but most of them are non-removable. Just missed old times, using phone without worrying much about if phone already charged or not.True, but it's hardware problem, not Android or iOS, and Linux cannot fix it. I heard, there are some laws upcoming which are going to force vendors to make devices repair-suitable. Maybe one day we'll get removable batteries again.
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