steammobileValve, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam, has released a new companion app for iPhone called Steam Mobile as a closed beta. The app allows Steam users to view their Steam friends list, see what games their friends are playing, and chat with players in-game.

Gamers can also browse -- and apparently purchase, though the app descriptions are a little fuzzy on that point -- the Steam library of titles from the iPhone. However, there is no purchasing of iOS games through the app, something that, aside from the fact that Steam doesn't support any iOS games, Apple would surely frown upon.

steamscreenshot

"The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale - these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone."

While it has been released as a "closed beta", users sign up to be included via the app itself.

Steam Mobile for iPhone is available free on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Xenomorph Avatar
160 months ago
Cool. So next holiday season I can spend a thousand dollars on all their sales while sitting on my toilet.

It's like Gabe read my mind!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DESNOS Avatar
160 months ago
Possibly the first step to a full Steam for iOS? Gaming on iOS could seriously improve if backed by Valve.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scotty588 Avatar
160 months ago
Hope they open the beta soon. Then again we are talking about Valve here.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Daveoc64 Avatar
160 months ago
Apart from it being a closed beta (terrible idea), this is really good.

Steam chat is very popular these days.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
waloshin Avatar
160 months ago
Also on Android:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.valvesoftware.android.steam.community&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS52YWx2ZXNvZnR3YXJlLmFuZHJvaWQuc3RlYW0uY29tbXVuaXR5Il0.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alaerian Avatar
160 months ago
+1 for Valve. God, I love that company.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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