Next January 18, millions of joysticks Google Stadia could turn into electronic waste.
Unless Google decides to deploy a simple Bluetooth update…
The Stadia controller, soon unusable?
As you probably know, Google recently signed off on its Stadia cloud gaming service. Launched at the end of 2019, the service never really managed to take off, and if a few diehards believed in the future of the platform, many people quickly guessed the tragic end of Stadia, kept alive by Google for just under three years.
Google Stadia will be decommissioned on January 18, 2023, with the American giant having already detailed various refund procedures for subscribers. However, some mysteries remain, especially on the side of the use of the controller. Indeed, in the absence of a dedicated update, Google Stadia controllers will be completely unusable (in wireless mode) from January 18.
The fault of a restricted Bluetooth chip, which currently prevents its use on a device other than Stadia. Obviously, the controller remains usable via USB, but it would be wise for Google to offer an update allowing owners of a controller to increase the possibilities offered by the latter.
On the Google forums, many are asking the American giant to “free” its Stadia controller, including for environmental issues. ” If you activate the Bluetooth function on the controller, we could help the environment by preventing the controllers from becoming electronic waste » can we read. To be continued.
Source : Ars Technica
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