I, too, am deeply excited by the potential. I wish Valve and Canonical (if they are partnering) well. I certianly would purchase a SteamOS machine. I have a HTC One X w/ Android. I have a Dell XPS w/ Ubuntu preloaded.
I predict, however, that if successful Microsoft will be sure to try to monetize the new revenue stream via patent licensing agreements.
I feel what Valve is doing (if all that was discussed here is legit) is truly important because gaming has always been the next to last selling point for the Wintel ecosystem.
My conjecture: you have to decide if you want mass market (open app OS inc. no app store and no competing h/w division - i.e. pre-win8 desktop Microsoft Windows, pre-Nokia Microsoft WinMobile, pre-Moto Google Android) or niche market (vertically integrated OS, app store and h/w - i.e. Apple, PS4, Xbox)
Windows is the Mom&Pop desktop OS. There is plenty of room for an open gaming-oriented OS.
Linux has been such a net positive for the software industry it is not even funny at this stage. Viva la revolucion libre! :)
I predict, however, that if successful Microsoft will be sure to try to monetize the new revenue stream via patent licensing agreements.
I feel what Valve is doing (if all that was discussed here is legit) is truly important because gaming has always been the next to last selling point for the Wintel ecosystem.
My conjecture: you have to decide if you want mass market (open app OS inc. no app store and no competing h/w division - i.e. pre-win8 desktop Microsoft Windows, pre-Nokia Microsoft WinMobile, pre-Moto Google Android) or niche market (vertically integrated OS, app store and h/w - i.e. Apple, PS4, Xbox)
Windows is the Mom&Pop desktop OS. There is plenty of room for an open gaming-oriented OS.
Linux has been such a net positive for the software industry it is not even funny at this stage. Viva la revolucion libre! :)