Linden Lab has confirmed that SL Mobile is being developed and that the initial release is planned for late 2023 with limited functionality to start of with with more functionality being added after.
Apparently the core development of this product started in October 2022 built upon Unity. SL Mobile will be compatible with iOS and Android devices. The lab have been working on the graphics, avatar rendering, rendering edges and more.
Second Life Mobile – First Look Preview
Sounds very exciting and I would love to try out SL Mobile when it’s in beta later this year. Hopefully the lab will update the Second Life community on a regular basis on the progress.
This week on the Second Life Forums a new forum sub section was set up called Mobile which will be used for “discussion about mobile initiatives for Second Life“. Linden Lab are planning to launch an IOS and Android version of a brand new Second Life Mobile app sometime within the next three months.
Today Keira Linden has made several new comments which are worth reading I think if you are excited about trying out the Second Life Mobile app in the future. Firstly the lab are still focused on the social parts of the app like IM functions and groups.
It looks like the iOS version will be first in line with a beta version of it. The lab will make an announcement on how to sign up very soon. The Android app version is going to be a little delayed because of the backend work left to do.
Keira Linden writes…
Right now, we’re really focused on the social aspects like chat (both IM and group) and getting those right. So, keep checking in here and when I have more info on that portion of it I’ll announce it here first!
A little gossip I suppose…
I’ve got a little gossip, but not sure how juicy it is. Android app is in the works! We went with iOS first because we have more Residents on iOS devices, not because we don’t love our Android Resis too! Release for an Android app is going to be a little delayed after iOS because we still have some backend work to do and (in case you hadn’t heard) we are frantically working on this eency little project called UPLIFT. But, we’re still working on what we can along side iOS. Once we have a beta version of it that we can open up for you all to bang on, I’ll drop an announcement in here so you all can sign up.
I think the lab made a good move in creating this new sub section this week focusing on the Mobile side of Second Life. I will be following this very closely because I am looking forward to using the Android version mainly when that gets released. I will blog more when new updates becomes available.
As many know already Linden Lab is currently working on a brand new Second Life mobile companion app for iOS and for Android users. These are the latest updates relating to the new Second Life mobile app from this week’s web user group meeting from Wednesday 5th August 2020.
Android
Work for the Android version of the Second Life mobile app is still behind the iOS version at this time but the good news is that it’s still under active development.
It’s got some time before it reaches the Alpha / Beta test process stages.
iOS
The iOS version has been in closed alpha for roughly two months or so now
The lab has a build that is expected to be submitted to Apple sometime during August 2020. It’s got to be reviewed first and then approved before it appears on the Apple App Store
The development team and the QA team are working hard right now
What to expect when the Second Life mobile app launches ?
It’s worth pointing out when the Second Life app launches before 2021 it will be more of a communicator app than a full blown client. It’s going to be used for basic contact for now like for IM and group chat.
There will be no 3D world view and apparently there are three mobile regions that have been set up so far. Over time more features, mobile regions and more capabilities will be added for the iOS and Android versions.
The lab will probably do a big announcement when the iOS version is approved on the Apple App Store very soon. The Android version announcement will follow later most likely in 2020. Most likely sometime in the Autumn if all goes to plan is what I am thinking for timings.
The lab are making good progress so far. The overall development for both iOS and Android versions seems to be going alright so far. I am most looking forward to trying out the Android version when that launches.
I will post more on my blog when more information becomes available.
On Sunday 10th May I asked Ebbe Altberg CEO of Linden Lab on Twitter if there was any new updates on the upcoming app for Second Life.
Ebbe kindly replied back saying Linden Lab are about at the internal alpha stage at the moment with the Second Life app. He said there is more work to before the public beta gets released. Ebbe confirmed this is a communications app for now.
In general terms things like IMs, group chat and staying connected with friends are in the works. Then later visuals will be introduced most likely.
There will be a iOS version then an Android version later. The lab are working on it all right now. Ebbe recommended the third party app named Speedlight. Its worth checking out for sure.
Personally I can’t wait for an Android version of Second Life app to launch. There is still no ETA yet. Let’s hope before the end of the summer/end of 2020.
Daniel Voyager 