Steam in the living room

During the weeks leading up to OSCon there has been a number of interesting developments. Dell surprised everybody by making an attractive and capable laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed readily available to buy. Project Sputnik has proven, to Dell, that there is a sizeable and enthusiastic audience for alternatives to Microsoft and Apple. This may have been helped by Steam confirming that the oft rumored, Linux launch of the Steam service is happening. A major manufacturer and a major software distributor express their belief in Linux as platform for future development.
Steam will initially provide their service via Ubuntu. This provides a two way street for both parties. Steam gets to test the service with an installed user base and Ubuntu gains access to a wider commercial audience. Perhaps the third leg to the table is Dell building a Steam Linux gaming box possible in partnership with Ubuntu and its TV software.
Mark Shuttleworth at OS con summed it "We [thought we] should take the initiative and lead" perhaps its time that Ubuntu took the lead and takes over the living room whilst the competition delays.