Star Trek's phaser sounds come to the iPhone

Geeks rejoice! Now the iPhone can turn into a phaser. Or at least it can make annoying noises like one.

Paramount's digital entertainment group has released a "Star Trek: Phaser" application to promote its upcoming movie. It's allegedly a game, with a very basic mechanic where players shoot a reticule in order to earn points.

But the real fun is the noise. Aim the iPhone at someone you love want to torture in "free play" mode and push "stun" or "kill" to generate authentic sound effects from the film. It's not too tough to imagine Trekkers pointing and shooting at each other, or at non-fans who need to be instructed in the awesomeness that is Captain Kirk.

It may just be the greatest iPhone app since the "That's What She Said" button. (Sorry "Star Wars" fans, but they both blow your lightsaber app out of the water)

All kidding aside, using applications to turn the iPhone into any handheld device from a movie is a smart and simple promotional tool for studios. It's surely no mistake that Paramount is giving out "Star Trek: Phaser" for free on the iTunes store and includes trailers and movie photos along with it. After all, any time someone sets their iPhone on stun, they and everyone around them will probably end up thinking about the movie.