Voice chat, group chat w/ voice

[masterchef341]

Basic feature. We need this. Other apps have this functionality. Skype is a canonical example which comes to mind. The desktop application obviously has this as well.

Maintaining connection when the app is in the background would also be nice, as an aside.

[Dobz]

Agreed. Steam voice chat actually uses the same codec as Skype, so it can be done.

[The1nF3cT]

Where is everyone? Why this thread only got 2 posts?

This is a MUST HAVE feature.

Voice chat and Voice group chat. Will be a ♥♥♥♥ing shoot in the ♥♥♥.

We need it, please Valve bless we all

[masterchef341]

right? vote this up, people.

[d_cover]

Agreed would be pretty handy and good for people that don't have desktop mics.

Specially useful if you use a pay as you go phone. I try to save credit much as possible by using facetime, facebook and anything else to save those penny's.

But it would be a very welcomed feature. I'm sure we will see it in an update.

[Sirdrunknmunky]

Would love to see steam's desktop voice chat function built into the app!

[JJ509]

I would love to have this! I know enough people who use the voice chat feature on steam. I'd love to join in on my phone while I'm out.

[Cirunz]

Vote from me too.
However I think this is little tricky to do, not technically, but because it means for Valve to enter the everlasting battle between carriers and voip operators...

[GreenSmoke]

However I think this is little tricky to do, not technically, but because it means for Valve to enter the everlasting battle between carriers and voip operators...


Everyone is trying to trying to make Steam Mobile into Facebook+Skype+Steam+9000otherthings.

Just let it be as it was meant to be, people. A simple barebones Steam Chat for people away from their PC.

All the other stuff like the Steam catalog/wishlist/cart/news/etc.. are all just icing on the cake.

[Skunk_Shampoo]

I dunno about that. Valve threw in everything but the kitchen sink, seems more than a simple chat client to me. I was surprised with just how much the app can do. As far as Facebook / Skype / etc, I think most people just want more communication tools like on the desktop client.

[Savage Alien]

Just let it be as it was meant to be, people. A simple barebones Steam Chat for people away from their PC.

All the other stuff like the Steam catalog/wishlist/cart/news/etc.. are all just icing on the cake.

You contradict yourself here. You say it's a barebones chat client. Then mention its other features [catalog/wishlist/cart/news/etc...]. All of that means it's not barebones! lol

It's a meaty mobile app when you add all that. It does just about everything the desktop client can do [minus play games], and this thread is only trying to fill in the gaps.

Let's see, it has Store, News, Community, Friend chat. What is it missing? Group chat, Voice chat, and trading. No harm in asking for these features; it only seems logical to want to bring the desktop features to the mobile app. You the suggestion is trying to make it more like facebook, skype, etc, but no, just more like Steam. Just like how those other apps have just about everything their desktop equivalents have.

[masterchef341]

Vote from me too.
However I think this is little tricky to do, not technically, but because it means for Valve to enter the everlasting battle between carriers and voip operators...

Both desktop steam and mobile steam operate on the internet application layer. They don't need to coordinate with anyone external to them to bring voice chat to mobile.

[GreenSmoke]

You contradict yourself here. You say it's a barebones chat client. Then mention its other features [catalog/wishlist/cart/news/etc...]. All of that means it's not barebones! lol


Let's see, it has Store, News, Community, Friend chat. What is it missing? Group chat, Voice chat, and trading. No harm in asking for these features; it only seems logical to want to bring the desktop features to the mobile app. You the suggestion is trying to make it more like facebook, skype, etc, but no, just more like Steam. Just like how those other apps have just about everything their desktop equivalents have.



Icing on the cake means..none of that stuff is really that important, and if it's there then great for others who would die without it..it's not a contradiction of what i said.

I'm not saying these suggestions in this thread are making it like that. Just from reading other suggestions from people. Like the others about sharing pictures & videos instantly, and some other crap just isn't needed. IMO

I'm all for group chat though. Don't really care if it ever has voice though.


If it had just been a simple plain Chat program one to one, and group chat. It would have been perfect. Since it has other things..it's never going to be complete, always going to be bugs, and people wanting this or that to be added.

[masterchef341]

I'm all for group chat though. Don't really care if it ever has voice though.

If you don't have a microphone connected to your computer, or you don't use voice chat with your friends on steam, then you wouldn't see any value in voice on the mobile end. That's fine, that makes sense.

There are others of us who do use those features, and voice in particular would be really useful in many cases, because it would allow us to dedicate our internet lines to our games, and let us use the cellular data network for voice, just like other mobile voice applications.

It would change the usage pattern of steam for iOS and android from strictly a mobile device to a co-computer. It's a pretty major feature if it ever comes

[orangensaft]

+1, needs this function. :)

[Glenbo1981]

So is there no way i can voice chat in a party like you can on Xbox live? i really want this feature.

[freezeflamer]

Signed

[Glenbo1981]

Bump!

[a7m1]

+1, really need it to keep on touch with friends / relatives :)

[Some]

Do it! ;D

[Vennyscool911]

I sign this petition.

[kornswag]

I support this

[Hostill]

fi you make this , it's gonna to be good to use smartphone ^^

[shawn92]

YES - awesome idea!

[Enyalios]

Good idea

[Gooball]

Vote yes. Group chat, come on!

[aCR00KEDvulture]

BUMP +1, i NEED this feature cause steam for mac doesn't allow you to change voice output from regular output, so i'm stuck with game sound and voice input competing

[linczzz]

Awesome idea, we really need this.

[Nobuga]

+1 for this.

[Osa__PL]

WE WANT THIS!

...and some fresh meat with it would be cool...

[SiPlus.c]

I oppose, here's why: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=33066790
I'm not joking or trolling.

[masterchef341]

Maybe you'll hate me, but I oppose addition of these features, and here's why.

I don't hate you, but your points don't make any sense.

On phones, Steam is for general chit-chat, similar to SMS.

Voice chat would make Steam a replacement for the telephone and only lead to possible bans of Steam by mobile operators.

Group chat is not needed, because there's no teamplay on mobile Steam.

Your first point is that Steam on mobiles is for general chit chat and sms. I would like to point out that general chit chat can take place among groups of more than two people, and that sms already offers 3+ person conversations, and has for years.

Your second point is that mobile operators may ban Steam for providing VOIP. This is simply not true, VOIP applications are widespread on iOS and android and mobile operators do not inhibit these applications nor their behavior.

Your last point is that group chat is not necessary, because there is no team play on steam mobile. This is narrow minded. Team play is not a necessary condition of multi-way chat programs. Many chat programs offer multi-way functionality that aren't team related or even game related. And, if steam provided this feature, it may allow for some novel uses of the technology. Cell users would be able to keep their PC internet connections dedicated to their game and use their cell phone connections for voice communication. Better allocation of resources and better performance. That's one reason why it would be helpful.

Hope that helps you understand.

[Chripper]

I think this function may be a challenge for Valve, however that does not prevent Valve from researching, developing then implementing it.

I would like to see this feature, in fact I would use this feature from time to time. Why not just call the person on your phone that is being used? I argue that international mobile calls are not only costly, but generally have poor audio quality.

However, with the use of the internet, all that becomes the inverse and Steam Mobile can take full advantage over this. In effect, there is potential for Valve gain a competitive advantage against other gaming platforms attempting to integrate into the mobile market.

Hopefully these benefits outweigh the costs involved of researching, developing, implementing and maintenance this feature. As they do, theoretically there is no reason to proceed.

[JonCom]

I too would love it if Steam could allow voice chat via the iOS app. Often times I'll be playing a Steam game with my brother who has a microphone on his computer, but I do not. However, I do have an iPod Touch and iPad, and it would be super if I could use one of those to talk to him while playing the game on the computer.

[ShufflinShaax]

I dont know if i am bumping this but this is a must feature!

[banpreet]

Agreed