Earlier this year, Samsung announced that it would launch a “Gaming Hub” on Tizen-based smart TVs, and now that feature comes to life with support for cloud gaming through Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now at launch.
The “Gaming Hub” on Samsung TVs is the “absolute home” of all things gaming. It can provide quick and easy access to the local console, as well as many other gaming contents. The Hub recommends videos including trailers for games, gameplay, and more.
But primarily, this acts as a single home for all your cloud gaming services.
Both Samsung and Microsoft proudly announced recently that this will be the first way to play Xbox Cloud Gaming on TV, regardless of owning a physical Xbox console. But Microsoft’s option will be joined by two more on launch day
Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce are now available on Samsung Tizen TVs starting from today. Amazon Luna is also “coming soon.”
Samsung Gaming Hub is an all-in-one gaming streaming discovery platform where gamers can discover and play the games they love from partners like Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Google Stadia, Utomik, and soon Amazon Luna.
What devices are supported? Samsung says you’ll find a Gaming Hub in its 2022 lineup, specifically the following:
The Gaming Hub will arrive for compatible devices after a software update – version 1302.5, specifically, with the Hub offering streaming support from the previously mentioned services, as well as Utomik at launch. Utomik is a lesser known cloud gaming option that primarily focuses on the European market through PC games.
YouTube, Spotify, and Twitch also integrate with the Gaming Hub.
The Hub pulls game recommendations to the Home page, recommending games across supported services, as you can see below.
How is Samsung Gaming Hub used?
Samsung says you’ll need a Bluetooth controller – “all most popular controllers” are supported, and you can also pair audio accessories – although we were able to confirm Stadia will still support Stadia Controller. For Stadia, playing up to 4K60 is also supported. GeForce Now members using the RTX 3080 layer will enjoy lower latency, but Nvidia hasn’t mentioned 4K support, which means it’s not available.
This launch comes after cloud gaming has expanded to include more TVs over the past couple of years. Google Stadia expands to Android TV and LG smart TVs, and Nvidia GeForce Now has done the same. Amazon Luna is also supported on Amazon’s Fire TV platform, although this upcoming expansion of the Samsung platform is a first for Luna.
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