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Valve today announced an expansion of its game-streaming app Steam Link, now named Steam Link Anywhere (via The Verge).
The original Steam Link app let users stream PC games on Steam to a mobile device within their home, but Steam Link Anywhere lets users stream games from their PC to any compatible device with internet service, excluding Apple devices.
Apple rejected the original Steam Link app due to "business conflicts," while the app went on to see a release on Android.
The upgraded Steam Link Anywhere will now only be available on Android, Raspberry Pi, and Steam Link hardware, starting today as an early beta. Valve says that players will need a good upload connection for the host computer and a good network connection for the mobile device.
Following Apple's rejection last year, Valve pointed out that there are many other remote access-style apps that are allowed in the App Store, so it was unclear why Apple was blocking Valve's app. Since that time, Sony has released its own game streaming app, allowing PS4 owners to stream and control games on their iPhone or iPad, from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
Similarly, Microsoft this week has detailed work on its Project xCloud game streaming initiative. The service aims to provide Xbox owners a chance to stream their favorite games from the console to a mobile device, although iOS devices haven't been mentioned yet. "True console-quality gaming will become available on mobile devices," Microsoft CVP of Gaming Cloud, Kareem Choudhry, said. "Providing the 2 billion-plus gamers around the world a new gateway to previously console- and PC-exclusive content."
Top Rated Comments
(View all)I love Apple but loosen up a bit here please.
More wins here on “Team Apple”!
It’s awesome to continually get excluded from cool stuff due to the company leadership at Apple
It’s intensely frustrating.
I question how useful this is anyway. I have a powerhouse PC and have the original Steam Link hardware that lets me play on my TV using a controller. It works great for those games that are controller oriented, but most of the really good games need a mouse and keyboard. You need a controller for your phone. I'm trying to imagine why I would want to play on my 5" screen instead of my 27" 4K monitor.
This really is an app to let you stream your game to TVs or less powerful computers that couldn't handle the actual graphics processing. The phone part is a gimmick.