Steam lists productivity, photography genres in Android app
updated 02:07 pm EDT, Mon July 16, 2012
Extra non-gaming categories added to app store
Game download service Steam may be moving into other markets, according to its Android app (Free, Google Play). Genres listed in the mobile app now show non-gaming listings, suggesting the Valve Software service may transition toward a general app store. The move itself would be a natural progression for the service, and would see it competing against Apple's Mac App Store.
Creativity-based subjects such as Audio Production and Photo Editing join Software Training and Education, along with productivity genres such as Accounting and Utilities. The subject areas are not currently viewable on the PC and Mac clients for Steam, and are unpopulated when viewed through the Android app, which could mean the listings are a placeholder for a full rollout in the future.
Valve has taken steps to streamline the software selection and release process for Steam, in the form of Steam Greenlight. The service will allow the community to decide what games get released onto the Steam store itself, and could easily be aimed towards other software types than games. Steam Greenlight is claimed to be launching at the end of August. [via The Verge]
