At this year's I/O developer conference996 Archives Google shared its vision to "make a more helpful Google for everyone," offering up a slew of useful features — AR in search, Live Captions for video, dark mode for Android, and a beefed-up Lens camera, for instance.
It's a positive and empowering mission, no doubt, but what's up with Stadia, Google's upcoming video game streaming platform? Google had nothing new to say about it — to be fair, it's probably saving details like pricing for E3 next month — which was kinda disappointing.
On the bright side, we got to try out the Stadia controller, and it's quite good.
SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL review: The best smartphone value of 2019 (so far)Ask any gamer, and they'll tell you how important the controller is. A bad controller is a dealbreaker. As the way you interface with games, the controller needs to nail a number of things, such as ergonomics and button tactility. And without a console box of any kind, the Stadia controller is the only piece of hardware by which the game streaming platform will be judged.
I got to literally wrap my hands around the Stadia controller during a demo of Assassin's Creed Odysseyrunning on a Pixelbook that was output to an HDTV, and I'm happy to report it's a solid gamepad.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable The controller is similar to an Xbox One gamepad in size and shape, but it's more rounded. It's got a nice weight in the hand, and the sculpted grips are subtly textured to prevent slippage.
The demo controller I tried came in white with black buttons and orange accents, but there will also be a teal-colored one with neon yellow accents, and an all-black model.
You'll find the usual assortment of buttons on the Stadia controller: a D-pad; four face buttons (A, B, X, Y); dual analog sticks; and a pair of triggers and shoulder buttons on each side.
The analog sticks are arranged in the same layout as a PlayStation 4's DualShock 4 controller, but they have the textured grip of the tips from an Xbox One gamepad. I rotated and flicked the analogs around; they have a good amount of resistance without a lot of stiffness.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable 
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Also on the D-Pad are several buttons: two menu buttons, a Google Assistant button, a "capture" button to get a screenshot or start recording gameplay footage, and a Stadia button. The Google Assistant and capture buttons didn't work on the demo controller, but a Google spokesperson said gamers will be able to press the Assistant button to ask for help if they get stuck on a certain game level.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Above the controller, you'll find a USB-C port. This can be used to connect the controller via wired connection or charge it up.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable At the bottom of the controller is a headphone jack for connecting headphones — something you'll definitely need if you plan on doing any trash talking.
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable As far as controllers go, the Stadia gamepad isn't revolutionary, and I'm fine with that. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? At the very least, the controller doesn't feel cheap, which is good because I've used bad controllers before (anyone remember the Ouya or Fire TV's controllers?), and they straight up made me wanna bang my head against a wall.
Now, we just need to know how much it'll cost and whether it'll come bundled with the subscription fee for the platform.
Topics Gaming Google
Operation Mensch
Spigen releases strap to stop you from losing your Apple AirPods
This woman's complaint about a worm in her lettuce escalated hilariously
Roald Dahl fans rejoice, you can now buy snozzcumbers
Apple is actively looking at AI search for Safari
Issue with Facebook spam filter shuts down social sharing for hours
Samsung's next plan to prevent Note7 explosions is a software update
These companies are using NFC technology to identify diamonds
Amazon Book Sale: Shop early deals now
I made a spectacular vagina
Best headphones deal: Save up to 51% on Beats at Amazon
This is the only 'Apple Watch' that can get you drunk
This is the only 'Apple Watch' that can get you drunk
eBay capitalizes on iPhone 7 with smartphone trade
Put Me In, Coach!
One of the world's most popular ad blockers is now selling ads
Intense video shows the moment a diver was attacked by a great white shark
If you want to enrage a Brit, change their favourite baking show
NYT mini crossword answers for May 12, 2025
People are rallying together to help Nelly pay off his IRS debt
How to support sex trafficking survivors without harming consenting sex workersApple Store goes down ahead of 'California Streaming' eventUpdate your iPhone now to fix a major security flawEpic Games scores partial victory in legal battle royale with Apple14 best tweets of the week, including frong, floor poisoning, and wings dinnerTwitch has a bunch of solid new antiThere's a special Twitter Like animation for the Apple eventInstagram's Superzoom feature is the perfect meme for your precious petsDad comes up with the ultimate life hack for clipping his dog's nailsNow Xiaomi's got smart glasses too, and they have a builtAstronomers see Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster on its trip in deep spaceApple Store goes down ahead of 'California Streaming' eventNo, Walmart will not be accepting Litecoin. Here's how people were duped.Twitter has started showing which accounts are run by botsThere's a special Twitter Like animation for the Apple eventHow to create an IGTV seriesGoogle screwed temp employees out of pay, complaint allegesThe Variable Balans vs. the Tic Toc Chair: Which weird chair to try?Bermuda repeals sameHarvey Weinstein's lawyer says 'no criminality' in producer's behavior Pete Davidson's 'SNL' joke about a GOP candidate didn't go well 'Fortnite' partners with the NFL and it's honestly kind of gross Turbulent footage shows harrowing Russian rocket failure Netflix to release 3 films in cinemas first, before they go online A Queen superfan's review of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' These videos will get you fired up to vote in the midterms Team USA swimmers pulled from flight to U.S. over alleged Ryan Lochte robbery Axl Rose isn't cool with Trump playing Guns N' Roses at his rallies Why Apple will no longer report iPhone sales Diana Ross takes out full Why 'Torch Song' on Broadway is worth checking out: Review Everything you need to know to vote in the midterm elections Rihanna wants Trump to please stop playing her music at his 'tragic rallies' Elon Musk goes underground to show 'disturbingly long' LA tunnel David Schwimmer says 'Friends' made it hard for him to make friends British athlete robbed at gunpoint in Rio, reports say Ryan Lochte's most questionable life decisions Flickr is cutting down storage to 1,000 photos for free users Dumbledore's Army is real and ready for the midterm elections Lime pulls faulty e
2.4205s , 10156.453125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【1996 Archives】,Wisdom Convergence Information Network