Valve insists there’s still life in Steam Machines and Linux gaming

Valve has posted a spirited defence of both Steam Machines and the future of gaming on Linux on its Steam Community forums.

Valve’s response comes after news that the company had removed prominent links on its Store to Steam Machines. These are compact, console-like gaming PCs that run a customised version of Linux called SteamOS.

Many people took Valve’s move as a sign that the company was giving up on Steam Machines, as well as SteamOS, and while these were rather niche products, many people who were looking for a viable gaming alternative to Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system were disappointed.

No ghosts in the Steam Machines

The forum post, written by Valve employee Pierre-Loup Griffais, insists that the removal of any reference to Steam Machines was simply “a routine cleanup of the Steam Store navigation”, which was “removed from the main navigation bar based on user traffic”.

Because this move sparked a large number of people to speculate on the future of Steam Machines, Valve decided to set the record straight. As the post acknowledges, “While it's true Steam Machines aren't exactly flying off the shelves, our reasons for striving towards a competitive and open gaming platform haven't significantly changed.”

This means that Valve's commitment to Linux remains intact. Many gamers and developers aren’t too happy with the dominance of the Windows operating system for gaming PCs. Microsoft’s push to make its own Microsoft Store, a rival to Valve’s Steam store, an integral part of Windows 10 could be seen as a major reason why Valve wants to set up an alternative operating system.

The Microsoft Store isn’t too popular with many gamers either, due to its lack of content, high prices and locked-down nature that prevents people modding games. The fact that you need to buy a licence for Windows 10, while SteamOS – like other Linux distros – is free, is another reason why people aren’t too happy with being stuck with Windows.

While Valve is honest about the lack of success of Steam Machines, it highlights that it has learnt a lot from customer feedback, and is working to address a number of issues. One of these is by its ongoing investment in the Vulkan graphics API, which is an open source alternative to Microsoft’s Windows-only DirectX tools. If more developers use Vulkan, more games should be able to run on Linux.

So, it’s good to see that Valve remains dedicated to finding an alternative to Windows for PC gamers. If Windows is indeed dying, or Microsoft continues to annoy gamers, then the need for a different operating system for our gaming rigs will be more important than ever.

• Best gaming laptops 2018: the 10 top gaming laptops we've reviewed

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Amazon Appstore offering paid games and in-app purchases for free in India

Amazon Appstore is now offering paid games and in-app purchases for free in India after the latest update to the app. The games being offered are spread across categories like Action, Adventure, Racing Games, Chart Toppers, Play & Learn, Educational Games and more.

As part of its ‘Actually Free’ offerings, Amazon has announced a limited period offer for Android users in India. As a part of the offer, Android users can get access to paid games and in-app purchases for free when downloaded using the latest version of Amazon Appstore. This ‘Actually Free’ offer is available for a limited period of 3 months, though.

What is Amazon Appstore Actually Free programme?

Amazon had announced the Actually Free offering as part of the Amazon Underground app store that was launched in 2015. As a part of this programme, Android users could use the Amazon Underground app store to get access to paid apps and games for free, in addition to unlocking in-app purchases for free using the coins balance in their accounts.

However, the company had announced that it would discontinue support for the Actual Free programme in 2019, with access to the service being discontinued last year.

It is worth noting that some of the games being offered as a part of this programme may contain ads from Amazon, allowing developers to monetize their efforts. Additionally, you will also need to have the latest version of the Amazon Appstore installed alongside the games to be able to use them.

To download the latest version of Amazon Appstore, head over to the Amazon Actually Free page. To be able to install the app store, you will have to enable “Install from Unknown sources” enabled in your phone’s settings.

• Amazon Music is finally in India
• Going mobile? These are the best Android games

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Best live TV Kodi add-ons for 2018

If you’re not familiar with Kodi, you should be. As an all-purpose media player, Kodi is second to none. It offers users the ability to stream, download and access content from one convenient place. More than that, it’s both free and open source, so it’s constantly adapting and becoming more versatile.

Of all the amenities Kodi provides, one of the biggest selling points is the fact that it lets users stream live TV without having to commit to a particular cable provider. In fact, it makes cutting the cord even easier since users can instantly program Kodi to stream virtually any TV channel around the world.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the abundance of Kodi add-ons that are currently flooding the internet. Please be advised that we at TechRadar do not condone or endorse piracy, so this list will only feature official (and legal) live streaming add-ons.

So, without further ado, check the list below for our top live streaming add-ons.

(Note that unless otherwise specified, every add-on in this article can be found in the Kodi repository by opening Kodi and going to Add-ons > Downloads > Video add-ons.)

How to watch live TV on Kodi: The best Kodi live TV add-ons

USTV Now

This official streaming channel features live streams from the top US broadcasters, including NBC, ABC, CBS, and more. Note that you can stream up to seven networks with a free subscription, but you need to pay $20 (£14) to unlock all 21 available channels.

PS Vue

At its core, PS Vue was made to be a convenient cable replacement. Offering more than 50 live TV channels, you’ll need a subscription in order to use this add-on. Prices start around $40 (£28) a month, with different viewing options depending on the exact subscription.

iPlayer WWW

Essentially, this is the Kodi version of the BBC’s popular iPlayer platform. A subscription is required, but once you’re logged in, you can stream live UK TV and radio. You’ll need to use an IP in the UK, but users outside the country can stream with a VPN (read more about this below).

ITV

Similar to iPlayer, the ITV add-on (which you’ll find here) lets you live stream ITV broadcasts. You can take advantage of tons of live shows while also gaining full access to ITV’s hearty repository. Again, you’ll either need to be in the UK or use a VPN to access this add-on.

Pluto.TV

A versatile add-on that offers both live streams as well as a deep repository of on-demand content, Pluto.TV requires users to create an account, but the service is free to use. It also has a large selection of news broadcasts.

Comet TV

As part of the Syfy network, Comet TV is a dedicated Kodi add-on for all things science fiction. It offers its own set of live streams, as well as a robust repository of older on-demand series and films.

NewsON

Providing both live US cable news streams as well as regional state-by-state broadcasts, NewsON is the one and only Kodi add-on you’ll need to stream live news. As an all-purpose news aggregator, it’s simply the best.

• See also: The best Kodi add-ons and how to install them

Cheddar

Broadcasting daily from the New York Stock Exchange, Cheddar is a live streaming add-on that’s geared specifically toward millennials. With no subscription required, you can access all the latest breaking tech and financial news, as well as a large repository of older broadcasts.

The best Kodi live sports add-ons

Looking to get your sports fix? Yup, Kodi can help with that too. Again, keep in mind that this list only includes official add-ons, so most will require a subscription.

That said, the great thing about Kodi is that it caters to every audience around the world, so whatever your sport of choice, from baseball to football, you’re sure to find an add-on that streams it.

DAZN

For roughly $20 (£14) a month, this add-on features tons of live sports streams, including boxing, hockey, and more. That said, DAZN usually offers a one-month free trial, so you can sign up, try it out, and see if you like it. Bear in mind that this add-on is currently only available in Germany, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and Japan. Fortunately, you can still use a VPN to spoof your location and stream, as we’ll discuss later.

ESPN Player

This handy sports add-on gives you access to the wide world of ESPN sports, all from the comfort of your streaming device. You’ll need an ESPN subscription to use it, but once you’ve logged in you’ll notice a sizeable backlog of recaps, highlights, and more.

NBC Sports Live Extra

Essentially the Kodi version of the streaming service, you can sync your NBC Sports account to your Kodi device to live stream everything from racing to boxing and more. Note that you’ll need to sign up first.

• See also: How to watch movies on Kodi

Sportsnet Now

As one of the few Canada-based sports add-ons, Sportsnet Now gives users full access to live Canadian sports broadcasts. You’ll need to use a Canadian IP address to stream, so a VPN may be helpful for people who are outside Canada.

MLB.TV

You’ll need a subscription to stream, but once you sign up you’ll have access to every baseball event in the US. Like the NBA and NFL add-ons, you can watch old highlights and other clips for free with the MLB.com add-on. NBA League Pass and NFL Game Pass are also available in the Kodi repository.

Why you should use a VPN with Kodi

Whether you use Kodi as a cable replacement, a gaming machine, or simply a music service, it’s important that you use a VPN. Not only will you be able to access more streams, but you’ll also be able to instantly secure your entire online network. This means you can use Kodi without worrying about your information being tracked or recorded.

A VPN can also help you bypass any throttling in the event that your ISP is purposely – whether it notifies you or not – slowing your network down. While a VPN won’t usually increase your streaming speeds, it can help restore them to their baseline.

When choosing a VPN, it’s important to factor in three main criteria: anonymity, privacy, and plenty of server options. In our experience, ExpressVPN offers the best overall bang for your buck. As our highest rated VPN service, it’s a clear winner. And because the firm’s apps use the OpenVPN protocol by default, it’s the perfect VPN for streaming.

• See also: The best VPN service providers of 2018

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Is Windows dying?

Times are tough for the once-ubiquitous Windows operating system, and following a recent email from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella outlining the company's new structure, which for the first time since the 1980s won't include a dedicated Windows division, some people are speculating that Windows could be declining in its importance to the company.

Back in the 1990s and even the early 2000s, when Windows was the world's dominant operating system, the idea that Microsoft might be moving away from the software that made its name would have seemed ridiculous.

And, while we can’t envisage a Windows-less world just yet, as there’s plenty of life left in Windows 10, there are a number of compelling reasons why people are wondering what the future holds for the operating system.

Oh, Windows division, where art thou?

The event that has sparked this latest round of Windows speculation was Nadella's email titled 'Embracing our future: Intelligent Cloud and Intelligent Edge'. The email laid out Nadella’s vision for Microsoft, and many people read it as suggesting that he was preparing the company for a post-Windows future.

The email announced a reorganization of Microsoft, which isn’t in itself particularly  newsworthy, as the company has gone through four big reshuffles in the past five years alone. What is interesting about this reorganization is what it says about Windows – or, more importantly, what it doesn’t say.

Nadella‘s email announced the departure of Terry Myerson, who was formerly Windows chief. Meanwhile, the bulk of Windows development is now handled by the cloud and AI team, while another team, called Experiences & Devices, will handle ‘Windows experiences and will drive Windows innovation in partnership with the PC and device ecosystem’.

Gone is the ‘Windows and Devices Group’, which used to focus solely on the Windows OS and Windows devices. Now, with Experience & Devices, Windows is nestled alongside Microsoft’s Office and Surface products. These are undoubtedly two of the company’s most important properties, but it was often felt that Windows was far more important than either of them. Now, it doesn’t seem that way.

Meanwhile, a lot of emphasis in that email was placed on cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, which appear to be Microsoft’s main focus for the future. Sure, Windows can – and will – be part of that vision, but it won’t be the vision. For some people, that appears to be a significant downgrade.

The rise of Android

Windows is still an incredibly popular operating system, but the stark truth is that it isn’t as popular as it once was. In November 2017 Nadella announced that 600 million devices run Windows 10, which is an impressive figure, but unless Microsoft has been able to get Windows onto 400 million additional devices since then it means it would have missed out on its admittedly ambitious goal of having one billion Windows 10 devices by 2018.

Also, according to Microsoft’s own Windows and Microsoft Store trends website, those 600 million Windows 10 devices accounted for 45% of all Windows devices in November 2017, which puts the total number of Windows devices at around 1.3 billion, a fair bit lower than the 1.5 billion Microsoft touted a few years ago.

So this could point to a decline in Windows devices, which is worrying enough on its own without the added pressure of Window’s rivals gaining in strength. Back in 2016 it was announced that there are now over 1 billion active Apple devices, and that number is pretty likely to have risen since.

Meanwhile, Windows is no longer the most-used operating system in the world, with Google’s Android now comfortably in the lead with over two billion monthly users.

While Microsoft may be able to take solace in the fact that Windows is still the dominant operating system on desktop and laptop devices, its inability to make Windows a viable operating system for smartphones has cost it dearly.

The fall of the PC market

While Windows is still the predominant operating system on traditional PCs, the news there isn’t too rosy either, with sales of PCs dropping by around 2.7% in 2017, and a major analyst firm suggesting that things could get worse, with shipments predicted to fall by 4% year-on-year in 2018.

With desktop and laptop sales slowing down it’s no wonder that Microsoft is looking elsewhere, particularly to cloud computing and AI. So, while Windows is relatively safe for now – Microsoft is in the process of preparing to launch the next major update of Windows 10, the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update – it will need to adapt to survive.

It looks like Microsoft is preparing to do that, but as its past efforts have shown, getting Windows onto mobile devices isn’t an easy process, and that's something the company will need to crack if PC and laptop sales continue to decline – if it can't, then Windows' time could indeed be running out.

• Forget the gloom – check out our list of the best laptops of 2018

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Buy Windows 10: the cheapest deals in April 2018

The deadline to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 has sadly now passed. Not to worry though as you can rely on TechRadar to help you buy Windows 10 for the best price. Windows 10 is generally seen as an improvement over Windows 8 - yes, the Start button is back!

So, if you're building a brand new system or want to upgrade to Windows 10 on an older device, you're going to need to buy a copy. Don't worry though, because we check the prices of Windows 10 every day to make sure you get the best deals.

Buy Windows 10 Home deals

The perfect version of Windows for home users

Windows 10 Home is the version that most people will need. It's for home use and includes game streaming from Xbox One and other consumer features like Cortana, as well as Windows Hello for logging into your PC via a fingerprint scanner or your face. If Windows 8 was the steepest learning curve imaginable, Windows 10 is like meeting a great friend you once knew again - it's just that they've bought some new clothes of which you really do approve.

Buy Windows 10 Pro deals

Go Pro if you think it's worth paying more for the Pro features

Windows 10 Pro comes with security and management improvements over the Home version above. It includes Hyper-V for virtualisation, BitLocker whole disk encryption, enterprise mode IE, Remote Desktop, a version of the Windows Store for your own business and assigned access (which locks a PC to running only one modern application, to use like a kiosk). Network admins can also schedule updates so they don't happen at important times.

Buy Windows 7 deals

Windows 7 - because we fear change

What's this? Windows 7 deals on a page that advertises Windows 10? We understand some of you really want to stick with Windows 7, maybe even on a new machine. Don't worry, we totally get it. Maybe it's because you have some hardware/software that works better on the old OS or it just feels better. Or maybe it's because you've no time for the ridiculousness of the tiles format. Windows 7, the classic choice of the PC connoisseur?

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There's no place like home: how smart tech could make your Airbnb more homey

LineageOS 15.1 allows Xiaomi Mi Max 2 to run Android 8.1 Oreo

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 runs on Android 7.1 Nougat, which is a let down for users since Android Oreo is already in the market and the Android P roll-out seems to be around the corner. 

The company has said they’ll be rolling a new update out soon but the wait continues. For users who aren’t fans of the MIUI interface and are also yearning for Android 8.1 Oreo, then they can download the unofficial LineageOS 15.1 build.

Developed by ashwin 007, XDA senior member, the build but it's not on the official LineageOS website since it doesn’t meet all the requirements of the Device Support Requirements Charter. XDA Developers claim that just because the operating system (OS) is unofficial, that doesn’t mean that it’s unstable. They say that, quite to the contrary, almost everything in the build works. 

Once the bootloader is unlocked, all users have to do is flash the TWRP, flash the build and finally flash the recommended Google apps package. The LineageOS 5.1 offers extra features, on top of the Android Open Source Project, but the option of using Xposed Framework to tinker a little further is always available.

Xiaomi runs a little late with their updates because MIUI is highly customized, so it takes time to tailor it to Google’s OS. But, with the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 running on respectable hardware like its 6.4-inch screen and 5,300mAh battery, running the phone on Android Oreo rather than Android Nougat might be a nice experiment.

• Other OS updates about Xiaomi:
• New update for the Xiaomi MIUI 9 with Notification Shade on Redmi 4
• Xiaomi announces a schedule of the MIUI 9.5 update for more than 30 smartphones
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Indian variant gets Oreo based MIUI 9 beta ROM

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