Many Mac and PC gamers swear by Valve's Steam service when it comes to buying and playing games and keeping in touch with fellow gamers. While you can't play your favorite titles through Steam Mobile (free, iPhone), you can still chat, browse through titles, and make purchases during the far-too-tempting (and common) Steam sales.

Even if you can't play your favorite PC or console titles from your phone or tablet, you don't have to be totally barricaded away from your favorite virtual worlds. TwitchTV (free, universal) allows users to watch other gamers stream their sessions. Check out footage from top players in popular titles and you just might learn a thing or two.

News is constantly being made in the gaming world. Whether it's a just-confirmed title, a leaked release date, or an unexpected announcement, you're going to want to know about it as soon as it happens. Appy Gamer (free, universal) is the news aggregator that gamers need. Check the headlines or create channels just for your own interests to stay up to date.

We all come to a point in a game where things are just a little too tough. There's no shame in seeking help, though, and if you have our sister site GamesRadar's Video Game Cheats, Guides and Walkthroughs app (free, iPhone or iPad), you can do it wherever you are. Get tutorials on how to accomplish tasks -- or cheats on how to bypass them -- inside this app.

There's a real thrill that comes from collecting your favorite titles throughout your gaming career. As it starts to span for years and decades, though, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Archive.vg (free, iPhone) will help you keep track of your entire library with its open-source database of games. Now if only it could keep your discs in the right cases for you.

Microsoft and Apple may have a rivalry when it comes to computers, but those differences can be set aside for the console experience. Xbox SmartGlass (free, universal) allows you to use your iOS device as a remote control for your Xbox 360, letting you navigate the dashboard, use your tablet as a keyboard, and control music or video without touching the controller.

The term "gamer" covers a broad spectrum of people, and there are tons of different kinds of games across an expanding number of platforms. Knowing what your friends are doing on all of them requires checking multiple locations; that is, unless you have Raptr (Free, iPhone). See what all your friends are doing across Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam in one place.

If you check the upcoming release schedule for games on a regular basis, you may become flummoxed by all of the choices you have. Our wallets often dictate these decisions, but renting instead of buying can help save cash. GameFly ships game rentals to your doorstep, and the app (free, universal) lets you browse and queue up titles when the urge strikes.