Google’s Stadia game streaming service will stop working early next year, the company announced.
Google is refunding gamers the cost of all hardware and game purchases.
but for now Google is leaving Stadia gamers with controllers that once cost good money will soon be useless.
Stadia controllers are designed to connect directly to the internet, reducing lag and allowing for instant firmware updates and connections to smart TVs.
Although there is a bluetooth chip on the Stadia Controller, it’s only used when setting up Stadia, whether it’s with a TV, a computer running the Chrome browser, or a Chromecast Ultra.
The Google store page for the Stadia controller says in a footnote: “The product contains a Bluetooth Classic radio. Bluetooth Classic functionality is not enabled at this time. Bluetooth Classic can be implemented later.
Bluetooth Classic is a more traditional version of Bluetooth than modern low-power versions.
This possible later date should not come much later. Many would like Google to unlock Bluetooth to make their favorite controller more than just a USB controller. I hope Google responds to the request.