Valve has released a new beta of Steam - this time for mobile, bringing chat and other community features to iOS and Android:

With the Steam app, gamers around the world may chat with Steam friends, browse community groups and user profiles, view screenshots and user-generated content for their favourite games, read the latest gaming news, stay up to date on unbeatable Steam sales, and more.

"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."

Interested parties can check it out now; it is free of charge although it sounds like you might not be able to join immediately. promoted/edited forum item

Lame, there is a lack of "Move to SD" option

Edit: f***ing hobos "Account not part of the Beta"

last edited by scuzzy at 08:46:03 27/Jan/12

Holy s***. AWesome.

I wonder if this is a pre-cursor to an Android Appstore sort of thing, or if it is purely a community tool.

I think more so a "hey you can buy these sweet deals 24/7 now"

Also not part of the beta :(

But you won't be able to buy anything on the iOS version, since Apple's policy is that all sales have to go via their store, and they take their cut.

Early screenshots seem to indicate that you can buy games from within the mobile app itself, though whether you have to use iTunes Store credit/financial details (for the iOS version, with seems to be optimised only for the iPhone at this stage), or that you can use Steam's other payment options remains to be seen.
You can't do anything if you aren't logged in and not in the beta (even browse the store). No issues using Steam Guard. Attempting to log in if you aren't in the beta gives you a simple error message, and another message along the lines of "Thanks for your interest, we'll be sending out more invites".
Summarising what this app can do: Chat with Steam friends, browse and buy from Steam Store, maintain wishlist, and read Steam news.

But you won't be able to buy anything on the iOS version, since Apple's policy is that all sales have to go via their store, and they take their cut.

This is attached to your Steam account. It's basically a on the go market app for Steam. So it doesn't "have" to go through Apple at all. If it does, sucked in, switch to Android where freedom is a given.

Does opting in via the beta participation in the steam client allow you to use this app ? Getting the same error as everyone else

Once again, WP7 is completely forgotten about. It's a real shame though, cause WP7 is leaps and bounds ahead of any Aindroid and iPhone.

Once again, WP7 is completely forgotten about. It's a real shame though, cause WP7 is leaps and bounds ahead of any Aindroid and iPhone.

I'm actually looking for a new phone soon. Though I'm also tossing up between keeping my HTC Desire HD for a bit longer and getting a Asus EEE Transformer Prime, or selling Desire HD and getting a Win 7 phone. What's the recommended Win 7 phone?

Not in beta. Can't use it :(

I think what happens is when you fail to login (due to not being in beta), at least on iOS, it says they will let you know when more invites are available (ie you have been added to the waiting list).

Press release by Valve approx. 2 hours ago:
http://store.steampowered.com/news/7231/

"Those who wish to join the beta just need to download the Steam app (free of charge) and log in to their Steam account via the mobile app to express interest in the beta. Gamers will be added to the Closed Beta as the service ramps up."

...it doesn't let me log in. How do you log in to express your interest if it just says you're not part of the beta :|

I've been accepted in, I also have a extra invite to give out. I don't have any friends that would use it, so whoever adds me on Steam first and strikes up a trade gets it. Steam ID is froodlemaster.

I got in and have an invite if anyone wants it. Like Eorl, hit me up on steam if you want it. Steam ID: carsonpants

Problem with windows 7 phones is - their specs look s*** in comparison to android.

"OH WE HAVENT IMPLEMENTED DUAL CORE CPU's YET"

Recommended Win7 phone = Lumia 900

I'm curious, does everyone who gets into the beta get a second invite to gift to a friend? I also have a "Steam Mobile Access" item in my Steam Inventory, and attempting to "Add into games library" spits out "This is already in your games library".

Just tried buying a game through the app (Cave Story+), it's relatively simple to use. Aesthetics-wise though, it might need a little bit of work.

It's so f'ing annoying how wp7 is overlooked whenever apps are made for something good.

why? theres no reason to overlook wp7

The only problem I am finding with it (on Android) is that it wont let me look at screenshots. Everything else is pretty polished so far.

I wonder if this will open up for being able to purchase games to play on phones. Sorta like the steamplay games play on mac/pc wonder if you'll get a mobile version of a game too.

This is now available to all

It's so f'ing annoying how wp7 is overlooked whenever apps are made for something good.

why? theres no reason to overlook wp7

There is, because it takes more effort/time/developers to develop (natively) for each platform.

With Android and iOS being very popular, doing those two first and seeing if its successful before committing to more resources is a pretty good plan.

There are a few frameworks out there that reduce that cost considerably, in exchange for some loss in how flexible you can be with your development.

I wonder if this will open up for being able to purchase games to play on phones. Sorta like the steamplay games play on mac/pc wonder if you'll get a mobile version of a game too.

Pretty sure apple wont allow this!