The beta version of the popular Linux desktop includes a new interface for TVs called Plasma
Bigscreen.
Will hardware makers support it?
The developers of KDE have announced a preview version of the KDE Plasma Linux desktop version
5.26.
The preview version debuts a new interface for TVs dubbed "Bigscreen."
A Sneak Preview for Developers, Testers The beta version of KDE Plasma 5.26 is an
opportunity to test the release and allow developers to fix any last-minute bugs.
"Today we are bringing you the preview version of KDE’s Plasma 5.26 release.
Plasma 5.26 Beta is aimed at testers, developers, and bug-hunters," a post on KDE's official
blog read.
The developers stressed that this release was not intended for production use.
Plasma Bigscreen TV Interface Debuts The major change in version 5.26 is the addition
of a new interface designed for TV screens, dubbed "Bigscreen."
KDE has even created a new site for Plasma Bigscreen.
Bigscreen features a web browser called Aura that allows users to surf the web using a
remote control.
Users can play videos from sites like YouTube using this browser.
Users can also play media files stored on the local hard drive using a media player
called Plank.
Under the hood, the new version of KDE includes "remotecontrollers" to translate input device
events into keyboard and mouse events.
This would allow remote users to control the standard KDE interface from the couch.
Where Is The Hardware for Bigscreen?
The Bigscreen interface would likely be used with a home theater PC or set-top box.
KDE has partnered with some hardware manufacturers to offer laptops and smartphones with KDE
Plasma pre-installed like the Slimbook 4 laptop introduced in July 2022.
KDE is also the default desktop of the Linux-based Steam Deck portable gaming console.
There appears to be no hardware specifically for the Bigscreen interface ahead of the launch
of the final version in October 2022.
It remains to be seen whether some sort of KDE-specific smart TV, set-top box, or other
device is announced by some other hardware company.
Until that happens, Bigscreen will likely be of interest mostly to DIY home theater
PC enthusiasts.
Linux Still OS of Choice for Home Theater PCs
Linux has had a long history for those building their own home theater PCs.
A number of Linux distros remain in development for those looking for more than Roku or Amazon
Fire TV can give them, and KDE looks poised to join this movement with Bigscreen.
:: More ::
KDE Plasma 5.26 beta is now available The KDE Project has announced the release
of the beta version of the KDE Plasma 5.26 desktop environment, which is expected in
October.
The KDE Project has announced the release of KDE Plasma 5.26 beta, which is expected
to reach its final state in October.
KDE Plasma 5.26 beta comes with improvements toward TV-focused usage with a new Bigscreen
interface and Aura Browser, Plank Player.
The beta version of the desktop environment also lands a bunch of improvements in Discover,
Kickoff, and System Settings.
The popular desktop environment for Linux-based operating systems, KDE Plasma, is about to
receive a new update, which is expected to be released on the 11th of October this year.
The KDE Project has made available the beta release of this version, 5.26, which comes
with some interesting stuff, for testing and reporting purposes.
Bigscreen for big TVs KDE Plasma 5.26 beta introduces Plasma Bigscreen
that aims the use on televisions, which reminds us of Steam’s Big Picture feature.
It provides an alternative interface to KDE Plasma that enables users to easily see and
navigate through applications without the need for a mouse.
The Bigscreen interface comes with the new Aura browser, which also aims for the same,
easy navigation as the Bigscreen.
Additionally, KDE Plasma 5.26 beta delivers Plank Player as the default media player that
can handle local files.
Bigscreen, Aura Browser, and Plank Player are currently only available on Arm releases
since they aim for TVs and TV-connected multimedia devices.
KDE Plasma 5.26 beta comes with a bunch of changes in Systems Settings.
Plasma 5.26 is now capable of running animated images as wallpapers as well as defining two
different wallpapers for dark and light modes.
It is now also possible to define your location manually for automatic dark and light mode
switching.
Improvements in Discover and Kickoff There are improvements in Discover, the application
store for KDE Plasma as well.
It now shows content ratings for applications, lets the user change the name while submitting
reviews, grants a setting for update notification frequency, and provides a new Share button
on each app’s details pages.
KDE Plasma’s app launcher, Kickoff, has now a Compact mode, and it now allows users
to click the letters in the All Applications section to browse all the letters zoomed in
for quickly navigating to them.
It is now also possible to use text and/or remove the icon of Kickoff while using a horizontal
panel.
The Wayland support also received the following improvements:
In the Plasma Wayland session, it’s now possible to adjust how a graphics tablet’s
input area maps to your screen coordinates It’s possible to select if apps will be
scaled by the compositor or by themselves to avoid having blurry apps on Wayland
In the Plasma Wayland session, it’s now possible to disable middle-click paste
KDE Plasma 5.26 beta packages are available for downloading and manually installing.
Additionally, you can also use the KDE Neon Unstable Edition image to test KDE Plasma
5.26 beta.
Thanks For Watching.