Minecraft client coming to iOS, Android platforms

By Adam Rosenberg February 22, 2011

Minecraft is an inconceivably popular indie PC game from developer Mojang. “Inconceivably” first and foremost because it is an indie PC release in a market where console games from top publishers are what move in big numbers. Maybe Minecraft‘s million-plus sales doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Call of Duty or Halo, but the world creation game that looks like it comes from the medium’s NES era has caught on surprisingly quickly nonetheless. Creator Markus Persson talked about the game’s humble beginnings in a recent interview.

To reach the next level however, Minecraft is going to have to broaden its horizons. Persson and his team at Mojang are already thinking in that direction, as Gamasutra has learned. The Minecraft creator revealed that an official iOS version of the game is currently in development under the guidance of new team member Aron Neiminen. The iOS client won’t be a full reproduction of the PC game, but rather a streamlined version which only carries over those features that “make sense” for a touch-screen interface. Look for the release later this year.

In related news, reports also point to an Android version of the Minecraft client being in development as well. Mojang head of business development Daniel Kaplan said that the company decided to “do the iOS/Android version of Minecraft inhouse” in an interview with Kotaku earlier this month. That release is also reported to be due later this year.

What’s so very interesting about all of this news is that Minecraft is technically an unfinished game, as it is still in its beta phase of development. The experience is full-featured enough for Mojang to be selling it — and for consumers to continue buying it — but it is unusual all the same. Multiple unsanctioned Minecraft clients are available for iOS via a jailbreak, but you can expect the official Mojang release to trump them all with its streamlined design and direct-from-the-company product updates.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Mobile

Here’s how iOS 18 could change the way you use your iPhone

The lock screen on the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.

It seems the long-overdue Siri overhaul will finally arrive at WWDC in just over a week from now, and the digital assistant will embrace AI trickery in all its forms. According to Bloomberg, Apple’s planned upgrades for Siri will deeply integrate with on-device functions at the OS level and with the installed apps, too.

“The new system will allow Siri to take command of all the features within apps for the first time,” the report says. The most notable capability is that Siri will only require voice prompts to interact with apps, thanks to a major change in the AI architecture powering it and putting large language models in command, just the way Gemini or ChatGPT draw their own skills from such models.

Mobile

iOS 18 may give Siri the upgrade we’ve been waiting for

Hey Siri

Apple isn’t immune from the AI craze sweeping the rest of the industry. Following the likes of Google with Gemini Nano, Apple is set to roll out AI upgrades to the iPhone with iOS 18. Code-named “Project Graymatter,” the iOS 18 update will bring a variety of AI-powered enhancements to the iPhone and Siri in particular.

According to AppleInsider, the features are being tested in advance of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), and one of the biggest is called “Graymatter Catch Up.” The feature is tied to Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, which will now allow users to request and receive an AI overview of the most recent notifications.

Mobile

Perplexity, one of our favorite AI apps, just got a big update

Perplexity app shown on an iPhone.

If you've been looking for more than just traditional search engines, you may have turned to Perplexity. The app allows users to ask questions and receive quick, accurate answers from a carefully selected set of sources, all powered by ChatGPT. Now, a new software update is making Perplexity AI even better.

Perplexity Pages allows you to transform your research into visually engaging and comprehensive content. Whether you are creating detailed articles, reports, or informative guides, Perplexity Pages brings your ideas to life. This new tool simplifies organizing and sharing information, giving you more control. You also have the option to publish your work to Perplexity’s library of user-generated content, where you can showcase your expertise.