Lucasfilm and Disney Interactive have long been connected to the Force known as technology, but now they’ve taken a step into a larger world by launching the official Star Wars app. There have been mobile game apps and storybook apps set in the Star Wars universe but nothing quite like this endeavor. The app is designed to keep fans in the know with a customizable interface full of options including a countdown to future installments of the Star Wars saga (it’s 162 days until The Force Awakens!), a link to the official news feed and a news ticker, and a section for “this day in Star Wars history.” Oh, and there’s a handy weather feature that compares your location to a spot in the Star Wars galaxy. Currently, it says the 66 degree weather in San Diego feels like Endor.

The app has a lot of fun aspects too. My favorite portion? A whole section full of gifs from the films and animated series. Why bother sending fully formed sentences to friends when you can just send a gif of Salacious Crumb laughing? Salacious Crumb has basically taken over all my text threads.

In addition to gifs and info, you can access the soundboard to play clips and effects from the Star Wars saga, wield the Force with the interactive Force Trainer, and take a Star Wars selfie and turn yourself into a Jedi, Leia, and other characters (see an example of that and a couple of other screencaps in the below gallery). And if you’re at Comic-Con, you can test out a fancy augmented reality experience at the Lucasfilm Pavilion (booth #2913-A) that will allow you to interact with BB-8 or a Stormtrooper.

The app is free and available for iOS and Android.

Have you downloaded the app? Which interface did you choose? Let me know in the comments!

IMAGES: StarWars.com