That uncertain nature of my home network means that I’ve had the best results and the most fun using the Steam Link app on television. If you are happy with your Wi-Fi coverage, this won’t affect you - but keep this in mind if you’re unsure about the state of your 5 GHz network. I’ve tried a range extender, and that hasn’t helped. I have a number of dead spots in my home where 5 GHz poops the bed.

But 5 GHz is a shorter wave than 2.4, and that means it struggles to get through walls and other obstructions. These enable you to take advantage of much faster speeds than 2.4 GHz-only options, which is crucial for broadcasting 4K video at 60 frames per second. You often get 5 GHz as the second option in dual-band routers and gateways. If you don’t have one of those clamps, you could try a kickstand or a case that keeps your phone or tablet upright on a desktop surface, but that limits your mobility enough that it isn’t something I care to try more than once.īut when you’re extra mobile, you may find that 5 GHz Wi-Fi has some limitations. But it also introduces some new headaches that come with trying to use a video game controller with a smartphone and trying to get a consistent Wi-Fi signal as you move around your home. Now, Steam Link also refers to the app on iOS and Android, and it brings with it an improved image that supports 4K and 60 frames per second. I’ve used one ever since because it’s simple and the picture quality is high. The Steam Link was just a $50 HDMI box at that time, and it could stream games from your computer to a television in another room. The company introduces a number of hardware and other products to expand how people can interact with their Steam library. Steam Link is a brand that Valve launched in 2015. I’ve spent the last week with Steam Link on my Android smartphone and a variety of other devices, and it works well, even if it has made me curse my Comcast-provided 5 GHz Wi-Fi router quite a lot. A version of the in-home PC game-streaming app will roll out on the App Store for iOS soon as well. Valve is launching a beta version of its Steam Link app on Android today. Connect with top gaming leaders in Los Angeles at GamesBeat Summit 2023 this May 22-23.

Steam link android tv box