Nvidia’s GeForce Now Expands to Linux and Fire TV
▼ Summary
– Nvidia is launching native GeForce Now apps for Linux and Amazon Fire TV devices in the coming months.
– A beta of the Linux app will soon be available for Ubuntu 24.04, with support for more distributions to follow.
– The Fire TV app will launch early this year for specific 4K models, enabling game streaming to TVs.
– Full flight control support is being added, allowing joysticks and yokes to work with games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.
– The service’s launch in India has been delayed to Q1 2026, and automatic sign-in for Battle.net accounts is being enabled.
Nvidia’s GeForce Now cloud gaming platform is broadening its reach with significant new platform support and enhanced features for its subscribers. Following the completion of its RTX 5080 server rollout, the company is set to introduce native applications for Linux and Amazon Fire TV devices, alongside new controller compatibility. These moves aim to make high-performance gaming more accessible across a wider range of hardware and operating systems.
For the Linux community, this announcement addresses a long-standing request. Until now, users on Linux distributions had to depend on unofficial applications or browser-based workarounds to access the service. A beta version of the native GeForce Now app will soon be available, starting with Ubuntu 24.04 and newer releases. Nvidia’s product marketing manager, Michael McSorley, explained that this specific long-term support version provides the stable graphics drivers and system libraries needed for a reliable initial launch. The company plans to extend formal support to additional Linux distributions in the weeks following the beta’s debut.
The expansion into the living room is another key focus. Nvidia is bringing GeForce Now to Amazon Fire TV devices, beginning with the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus and 4K Max models later this year. This will allow users to stream their PC game libraries directly to their television using a compatible controller, eliminating the need for a dedicated console or gaming PC connected to the TV.
In a boost for simulation enthusiasts, Nvidia is adding full flight control support to GeForce Now. This integration means peripherals like joysticks and yokes from manufacturers such as Thrustmaster and Logitech will function seamlessly with the cloud service. Gamers can connect their specialized flight controls to a modest laptop and stream titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, with all inputs working correctly in the game.
The service is also streamlining account management. Automatic sign-in support for Battle.net accounts is rolling out this week, with similar functionality for Gaijin.net accounts to follow shortly. However, there is a delay for one anticipated market launch. The planned expansion of GeForce Now into India, previously promised for last year, has been postponed and is now targeted for sometime in the first quarter of 2026.
(Source: The Verge)
