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Fancy playing your Linux gaming library from Steam on your phone? You're going to be able to later this month. On top of that, they're also going to let you stream your video purchases too.

Here's the full press release they just sent over:

NEW STEAM APPS TO EXTEND SERVICE OFFERINGS

May 9, 2018 - Two free new apps - the Steam Link app and the Steam Video app - are preparing for launch in the coming weeks, both designed to extend Steam's suite of services and accessibility.  

The Steam Link app, slated to launch the week of May 21st, allows gamers to experience their Steam library of games on their Android (phone, tablet, TV) and iOS-based (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV) devices while connected via 5Ghz network or wired Ethernet to a host system (Mac or PC), with Android access initially offered in beta. The Steam Link App will feature support for the Steam Controller, MFI controllers, and more across both platforms.

Later this summer, the Steam Video app is targeted for release, allowing users to enjoy the thousands of movies and shows available on Steam directly via their Android and iOS devices over Wi-Fi or LTE. In direct response to customer feedback, it will offer the ability to enjoy content in offline and streaming modes.

Steam is a leading platform for digital entertainment, offering thousands of games, movies, and films to millions of people around the world. For more information, please visit www.steampowered.com

One of the things that stopped me personally buying any video content from Steam, was that you needed the main Steam client directly to actually watch them (so, PC only). Allowing us to watch them on tablets and phones might tempt me to use that side of Steam a little more in future so that's great. Having the offline ability also sounds good, so hopefully we can download stuff while at home to our phones and tablets to watch on our travels.

I'm very curious to see how well the Steam Link app holds up streaming from Ubuntu to my Android tablet, could make for some interesting gaming sessions after a long day. I've asked Valve if it will fully support a Linux host machine, since for all we know "PC" may just mean Windows, but I hope Valve won't let us down there.

Update - 09/05/18 18:34 UTC - Valve have confirmed to me that Linux hosts are supported for the Steam Link app game streaming. They apologised for not mentioning it directly.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Steam, Valve
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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km3k May 9, 2018
I hope they allow the touch screen to act as mouse inputs on phones/tablets. That would be a great way to play mouse-based games without a PC.
WorMzy May 9, 2018
I would hope that Valve have learnt from previous incorrect labelling of "Windows" as "PC", but I'll not hold my breath..
skyrrd May 9, 2018
That's awesome news. There are mostly two things i was/am waiting for with steam link/streaming

First was a mobile client for in home streaming
Second would be basic app support for the steam link (e. G. native netflix app)

I guess the latter will not happen so soon and who knows in what direction steam will evolve.
hardpenguin May 9, 2018
So, there's no reason to buy a Steam Link anymore and they won't produce any new ones ever again?
buckysrevenge May 9, 2018
I only own some of Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnite seasons, but I like that it provides an alternate audio track for commentary, something I don't see on any other streaming video purchase sites that I'm aware of. Does anyone know if this is a common option for videos (especially movies) on Steam?
1xok May 9, 2018
I don't think Valve will be offering a cloud service on this basis in a not so distant future. For people who have an appropriate network connection. Hence their commitment to SteamOS and AMD.

The PC market has not been a growing market for a long time.


Last edited by 1xok on 9 May 2018 at 6:16 pm UTC
x4mer May 9, 2018
Quoting: skyrrdSecond would be basic app support for the steam link (e. G. native netflix app)

I guess the latter will not happen so soon and who knows in what direction steam will evolve.

Steamlink has native app support, but not very much. I don't think there's a native Netflix app, but there is Kodi for Steamlink, which I have installed on mine. If Kodi has a Netflix plugin, then there you go.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/353380/discussions/1/
Liam Dawe May 9, 2018
Update - Valve have confirmed to me that Linux hosts are supported for the Steam Link app game streaming. They apologised for not mentioning it directly.
chimpy May 9, 2018
I wonder if the dongle is required to connect the steam controller via Bluetooth to your Android device. If I recall correctly the steam link doesn't need the dongle
Pinguino May 9, 2018
Sounds cool! I wonder if they would also target Chromecast devices, that might make me buy a Steam Controller.
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