Valve Announce Linux-Based Steam OS
Valve are pitching SteamOS as being the heart of their plans for living room (read: Steambox console) gaming, saying:
SteamOS combines the rock-solid architecture of Linux with a gaming experience built for the big screen.
Users will be able to access the entire 3000+ strong Steam catalogue of games. Not all of these are available natively for Linux (and thus Steam OS) but Valve have a way around that: simply load up your Windows or Mac computer, fire up Steam and, through Steam OS, those can be played straight on your TV.
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Although gaming remains very much in Steams lifeblood, Valve are positioning their OS as something more than simply a way to game on a larger screen. For Steam OS to compete with other operating systems both console-based and desktop-based Valve are to expand their offerings to include music, tv and movies.
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Although not confirmed by Valve, weve been told that Steam OS is based on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
For more details head over to the SteamOS mini-site @ store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamOS
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/09/valve-announce-steamos