On the desktop, Steam is a popular client for buying PC games, but it isn't the only way to peruse Valve's store. Steam is also available as a mobile app that brings the storefront and its chat, forums, and remote download functionality to Google-powered smartphones and tablets. Mobile Steam does a good job of replicating the desktop experience, but the otherwise excellent app carries a few notable omissions. I tested the Android app, but Steam is also available for iPhone.

Steam In Your Pocket

Steam for Android lets you partake in the many activities associated with the desktop application, such as viewing your inventory, editing your profile, and chatting one-on-one with friends via the built-in messaging system. Unfortunately, you can't participate in group chats, an action you can perform using the desktop software.

On the upside, Steam News is a fine way to stay current with PC gaming happenings. This information-packed section contains press releases regarding new games, Steam client-update news, and syndicated articles from the likes of Eurogamer, Kotaku, PC Gamer, and other outlets. Likewise, you can visit the Steam forums to explore the various community conversations, or check out live streams from gamers who love broadcasting their play sessions. Valve packs a surprising amount of desktop Steam into its mobile app, and, thankfully, navigating the various sections is a breeze.

Shut Up and Take My Money

An analysis of Steam's Android app would be fruitless without discussing its most important feature: enabling you to purchase PC games. Fortunately, Valve's mobile storefront is as robust as its desktop storefront. The app lets you buy games, view sales, browse recommendations, and add titles to your wishlist, cart, or inventory when you're away from your gaming rig. You can rent movies, too. In fact, mobile Steam is similar to desktop Steam, so I suggest that you read my Steam for PC review for an in-depth explanation of what you can expect from this Android app.

Purchased games are charged to the credit card or debit card associated with your desktop Steam account, so you don't have to worry about whipping out plastic during your commute. You can delete that card from the mobile app, but to add another, you must do so using the Steam desktop application or browser-based store. You also can't redeem Steam codes via the app.

That said, Steam for Android has a killer feature that helped me overlook the app's small faults: remote download functionality. If you have your Steam account up and running on a PC, you can fire up the Steam Android app to initiate a game download. I often start the download of video games to my home PC while at work, which is a technological godsend when you're dealing with titles that are multiple gigabytes in size, such as Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Street Fighter V ($15.00 at Amazon) . This way, I can play as soon as I plop down in front of my gaming desktop.

A Gamer-Friendly App

If you dabble in Steam even a little bit, Steam for Android is worth downloading. The app may not let you participate in group chats or redeem game codes, but it gives you the power to make purchases from anywhere your smartphone or tablet can connect to a cellular or Wi-Fi signal. And, really, that's all you need when Rocket League's ($19.99 at Humble Bundle) price is temporarily slashed to $5 and you're stuck in line at the post office.

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