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."

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.

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.

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 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.

David is a freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest, but originally hailing from the Bay Area. A journalist by training, he discovered the power of Unix-like operating systems and the command-line interface while learning how to edit video on macOS. He has been using Linux regularly in some form since 2006. David has been able to combine his passion for computing and writing in his career as a freelance writer. His writing has appeared in Techopedia, TMCnet, and the Motley Fool blog network. David holds a B.A. in communication from California State University, East Bay.

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