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Hacker's unofficial 'Watch Dogs 2' app is incredibly appropriate

That in-game phone now works on your real one.

After successfully linking GTA V to an iPhone, the same Hungarian hacker has now developed software that allows users to manipulate Watch Dogs 2 from their smartphone. Using the programming language, Python, YouTuber Planetleak DIY Projects has managed to recreate the game's Dedsec app on his iPhone -- and the irony of creating an iPhone hack for a game about hacking probably wasn't lost on him.

Thanks to clever keypress emulation and screenshots mimicking the look of the game's smartphone, the custom app instantly navigates a convincing replica of Watch Dogs 2's in-game menu via the iPhone's touchscreen.

It's certainly a step-up from the hacker's GTA V app. While his 2015 effort required an Arduino in order to recreate GTA's button presses, he claims this new software-only solution has resulted in a far smoother and less laggy experience. When the YouTuber contacted Ubisoft, the company expressed interest in the project, giving him permission to share the app's source files. These means that anyone can modify the software (or simply use it as is) by downloading the source code for the Python server.

A couple of years ago, hackers didn't need to bother creating these kind of solutions. After the Wii U launched, many publishers initially responded by releasing companion apps for Xbox 360 and PS3 games, offering non-Nintendo gamers a second screen experience of their own. While these apps were pretty useful, they were largely seen as a gimmick and after declining public interest, publishers quickly stopped developing them.

With this console generation seeing fewer and fewer games launching with companion apps, gamers who liked a degree of smartphone integration will have to rely on the work of hackers like this one.