Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Learn more.
Your Google Stadia controller might not be useless after January
In This Article
Google’s recent announcementStadia is closing down in Januarywas hardly a surprise, but it did leave us with a host of questions.
Namely, what are console gamers going to do with those Stadia controllers that only offer wired or Wi-Fi connections? Other than, you know, recycle the plastic?
Many called for Google to unlock the Bluetooth radio and, at least, allow gamers to use the Stadia controller for other services and on other devices. Now we’ve got confirmation Google is considering it. A Reddit reader approached Stadia support for clarification and received a positive reply.
“We have received many requests about making the Stadia controller work on Bluetooth or other features that can make Stadia workable after the full shut down,” read theresponse(viaChrome Unboxed). “I will send this feedback to our team so that they can check this out and possibly release a firmware to make it work.”
Hopefully, Google follows through. Firstly, for environmental reasons, but secondly, it’s always good to have another controller on hand. And why waste what our reviewer Ryan Jones called a “robust pad with familiar inputs, design and feel” in hisreview of Stadiaalmost three years ago. Back when there was promise.
Google announced it was shutting down Stadia last week after admitting the service hadn’t “gained the traction with users that we expected”. Google is refunding all users software and hardware purchases before the service closes for good on January 18.
Information on how to access those refunds is coming soon, the company says. Meanwhile, we’re already seeing some of the games that launched on the service coming to other platforms. Launch title Gylt, for example, will launch on other platforms next year.
You might like…
Chris Smith is a freelance technology journalist for a host of UK tech publications, including Trusted Reviews. He’s based in South Florida, USA. …
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
