PearPlay 0.2.5 — Linux helper preview

PearPlay 0.2.5 — Linux helper preview

Linux only. Mac support is coming soon.

This release supplies the separate helper required by the PearPlay extension. The Chrome Web Store listing is not yet submitted or public. Until then, load the repository's extension/ directory unpacked in Chrome. Its pinned public key matches these helpers; do not substitute an older development extension.

Downloads

Package	Target
pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.deb	Ubuntu/Debian x86_64; built on Ubuntu 24.04, requires glibc 2.39+
pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst	Current Arch/Omarchy x86_64; requires glibc 2.44+

| pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.rpm | Fedora 44 Workstation x86_64; requires glibc 2.43+ |

Python and runtime dependencies are bundled. The package manager also installs the declared Zenity/Avahi dependencies. No ARM, Windows or Mac package is offered. Chrome is the verified playback baseline; Brave/Chromium registration support is not a playback claim. LG discovery is not a playback compatibility claim.

For Debian/Arch, compare the downloaded file with SHA256SUMS.txt. For Fedora, use pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.rpm.sha256. These packages are unsigned; checksums detect a mismatched download but are not a signing certificate. Use the trusted GitHub release and normal package-manager authentication. Do not disable security checks.

Install

On a compatible Ubuntu desktop, open the .deb with its software installer. Open With → App Center was verified on Xubuntu. Terminal fallback, from the download folder:

sudo apt install ./pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.deb

On Arch/Omarchy without a graphical package manager, from the download folder:

sudo pacman -U ./pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

On Fedora 44, open the RPM with GNOME Software. If it reports an authorization failure, use the normal terminal fallback from the download folder:

sudo dnf install ./pearplay-helper-0.2.5-linux-x86_64.rpm

Use native browsers; Flatpak/Snap native messaging is not supported by this installer.

Open PearPlay Setup from the applications menu, select Chrome, then fully quit and reopen Chrome. Open the extension's Helper setup and choose Check connection. No manual extension-ID command is required. Pairing happens in the extension popup with the PIN displayed on the TV.

End casting and quit browsers before updating. Saved TV pairing is preserved. Older source/fixture registrations must be disconnected with their original installer first; unknown or modified registrations are not overwritten. The Chrome Web Store updates the extension, not this helper.

Verification

• Ubuntu-built .deb: clean VM package/helper lifecycle and real Chrome native messaging verified.
• Xubuntu live desktop: graphical App Center installation, same-LAN discovery, fresh pairing, and human-confirmed moving Apple TV video with audible sound.
• Arch: 0.2.3 → 0.2.5 upgrade; unprivileged installed self-test, package integrity and Chrome connection/discovery; saved pairing unchanged. No new playback trial in the Arch upgrade pass.
• Fedora 44 RPM: final-artifact DNF install/remove/reinstall, unprivileged integrity/self-test, graphical helper setup and isolated native Chromium connection/discovery passed. GNOME Software package installation/removal passed on an earlier candidate; graphical reinstall failed authorization. No Fedora TV playback verdict.
• Restrictive build-umask and CIFS data/license permissions defects corrected and regression-tested.

Compatible, directly fetchable media only. No DRM, geographic restriction, cookie or access-control bypass. Some Linux firewalls need a receiver-scoped AirPlay timing rule; PearPlay never changes firewall or DNS settings automatically.

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