Now that Valve have upgraded the chat and friends system in the desktop Steam client, they've also rolled out a brand new dedicated mobile application to do the same.
This isn't the normal Steam mobile application, instead they've oddly decided to split them in two. Touching on that, they said the original Steam mobile application is going to get some upgrades "focused on account security" including better Steam Guard options, like QR codes and a one-touch login.
Features included in the new Steam Chat Android/iOS application:
- Friends List - See who’s in game or online at a glance. Never miss an opportunity to play.
- Rich Chat - Your chats get even better with higher fidelity links, videos, tweets, GIFs, Giphy, Steam emoticons, and more.
- Invite Links - Add new friends on Steam with a link. Generate an invite link you can text or email.
- Customizable Notifications - Mobile notifications mean you'll never miss a message or game invite. You can customize your notifications per friend, group chat, and chat channel.
- Group Chats - Get everyone on the same page. Groups make it easier to do things like stay in touch with your communities and organize game night with your best friends.
Valve said they're going to be bringing in voice chat later too. See the official announcement here.
Testing it out myself today, it does seem to work fine. However, one thing they seem to have missed is the ability to leave a normal chat with a friend. Mine shows up with a chat with someone I removed, with no way to get rid of it. Entirely possible I've missed it but it's clearly there for group chats and not normal chats. Hopefully this small oversight will be sorted.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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12 comments
I really only use the 2FA/verification part of the Steam app. The more they take out, the better it is.
6 Likes, Who?
It's ridiculous that their app displays the 2FA code in the lock screen even with that screen set to not display messages e.g. from WhatsApp.
0 Likes
buckysrevenge May 22, 2019
I'm curious if they're still going to release their video app they mentioned around the time the Steam Link app was announced.
0 Likes
Arehandoro May 22, 2019
I mainly use it to bookmark/buy games when I'm in the office, better mobile store would be great.
0 Likes
I really only use the 2FA/verification part of the Steam app. The more they take out, the better it is.If you want you could use an app like AndOTP for this. https://github.com/andOTP/andOTP/wiki/Special-features#steam-guard-codes
0 Likes
instead they've oddly decided to split them in twoGood, they are not going to make second Facebook out of it. That app is amazing at wasting resources.
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Valve said they're going to be bringing in voice chat later too.My God, we'll be able to chat on the phone with voice! It's revolutionary!!!!
3 Likes, Who?
Ugg, another Walled Garden for chat, and with their recent updates they broke most bridging support. At least Matterbridge still works with Discord.
I just wish they would open their protocolls and allow Federation. It is most likely internally using XMPP anyways (like the Epic Fortnite chat and the previous League of Legends one).
I just wish they would open their protocolls and allow Federation. It is most likely internally using XMPP anyways (like the Epic Fortnite chat and the previous League of Legends one).
1 Likes, Who?
ElectricPrism May 22, 2019
Valve said they're going to be bringing in voice chat later too.My God, we'll be able to chat on the phone with voice! It's revolutionary!!!!
Considering Steam has given us SOOO MUCH -- a Client, VR, Big Picture, Controller Support, Kernel upgrades, SDL Upgrades, DXVK, Proton, a Official Linux Distro, and so much more...
Meanwhile GOG has given us: A Web App. ZERO LINUX CLIENT
https://twitter.com/GOGcom/status/1131235847926362112
I am not sure why any non-novice Linux Gamers would applaud GOG and put Steam down -- and yet I have seen it over the years. Sure DRM-Free is nice, but FOSS/Open-Source/Libre-Source is better if you are trying to go down the road of morality and user power.
I'm super stoked to have another communication tool since Discord AUR basically breaks everytime Discord pushes a update and disables old clients. Meanwhile Google is axing GSuite Google Hangouts, and the fate of Hangouts is uncertain, leaving us with IRC, Matrix, and what XMMP?
We are desperately in need of a 2K20 Libre Chat App.
I just wish they would open their protocols and allow Federation. It is most likely internally using XMPP anyways (like the Epic Fortnite chat and the previous League of Legends one).
Assuming Steam Chat is XMPP, I would officially use my Steam Chat as my primary chat app if they did that. Good idea, someone should inquire.
Last edited by ElectricPrism on 22 May 2019 at 7:21 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
It's a joke, son. Some of us come from the days when chatting with your voice was what phones were for.Valve said they're going to be bringing in voice chat later too.My God, we'll be able to chat on the phone with voice! It's revolutionary!!!!
Considering Steam has given us SOOO MUCH -- a Client, VR, Big Picture, Controller Support, Kernel upgrades, SDL Upgrades, DXVK, Proton, a Official Linux Distro, and so much more...
Meanwhile GOG has given us: A Web App. ZERO LINUX CLIENT
https://twitter.com/GOGcom/status/1131235847926362112
I am not sure why any non-novice Linux Gamers would applaud GOG and put Steam down
It wasn't about GOG vs. Steam. If it was, I wouldn't have been shy about saying so.
2 Likes, Who?
UltraViolet May 22, 2019
I normally use Steam chat in my browser on my phone, might give this a go
0 Likes
Sony did this with the Playstation apps, too. In that case, I had to keep both apps installed, which I found annoying. I think one was dependent on the other...? That doesn't seem right in the mobile app world. I don't remember right now. Anyway, I like to be signed into Steam via the app sometimes so my friends can ping me to get online at the times that I'm willing to play something if a friend gets on but don't want to be online by myself. I wonder where the Steam apps will draw the line. Is chat going to be removed from the main app? Will I even need that one if I don't use it for 2FA?
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