(Credit: Valve)

First it was Microsoft to release an Xbox Live companion app onto the App Store, and now Valve is following suit with a similar piece of software--the Steam app--though it seems to be much more functional than Microsoft's.
The app allows users on the platform to keep in touch with their Steam friends via Steam Chat and also provides access to the entire Steam store. Like the Xbox Live app, players can browse their friends list and see who is online and playing what.
Of course the Steam app doesn't deliver mobile games to iOS and Android users, but the proven PC and Mac game-delivery service is wise to broaden accessibility over multiple mobile platforms, potentially paving the way for future software market endeavors.
The Steam app is currently in a closed beta and members can request access by downloading, installing, and logging into the app on either an iOS or Android device. That will start the process of receiving an invite.

Originally From Cnet

Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. filed a new patent infringement lawsuit against Apple Inc. this week targeting the most recent version of the iPhone as Motorola's merger with Apple rival Google Inc. moves toward final regulatory approval.

Motorola filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleging Apple has infringed on six patents related to mobile technology.

Each count in the complaint names Apple's iPhone 4S, introduced last October, as an allegedly infringing device. Apple this week reported quarterly results that included record sales for the company, thanks in part to strong demand for the iPhone.

The complaint filed on Tuesday also names Apple's iCloud content storage service as an infringing product. The iCloud service was unveiled last year.

Motorola's latest suit comes as the Libertyville, Ill., company nears the completion of a long-anticipated merger with Google. Google, based in Mountain View, Calif., announced in August it would purchase Motorola for $12.5 billion, and the companies are currently seeking antitrust approval from regulators.

Google's Android mobile software has emerged as a significant rival to Apple's iOS platform used to power the iPhone and other devices.

Google has stated publicly that the Motorola purchase is intended in part to help bolster Android's legal standing, and protect it from patent litigation.

The merger agreement filed publicly by the companies appears to limit Motorola's ability to independently file new patent infringement suits.

However, Motorola had previously filed a related patent suit against Apple in Florida, in 2010.

"Today's action relates to the same patents we are already asserting in Florida against Apple," a Motorola spokeswoman said in a statement. "Motorola Mobility has worked diligently over the years to develop cutting-edge technology and to build an intellectual property portfolio that is respected by the entire industry."

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment, noting that the company and Motorola are still operating separately.

An Apple representative also declined to comment.

News of Motorola's latest patent suit was first reported by the Foss Patents blog, which covers technology patent issues.

Google has in the past assigned patents to partners which were then used to sue Apple.

In September of last year, HTC Corp. used a handful of patents obtained from Google to sue Apple in a Delaware court for alleged infringement.