Google Stadia launched back in November with a wireless controller that can connect wirelessly to Chromecast Ultra. Playing on a PC or laptop requires USB connection. An update to the controllers was released this week, allowing them to connect wirelessly to any browser-supported Stadia client.
Stadia controller is a weird beast. Standard wireless controllers, including Xbox One and PlayStation 4 controllers, have no problem connecting to your PC or mobile device. I've been using my Xbox One wireless controller to play Stadia games since launch without problems. Stadia controller is not a standard wireless controller. Couldn't connect via phone to my laptop, which is why it's been in the box since November.
This week Stadia controller update that changes that. Now players can use their Stadia mobile app to update their controller firmware, allowing it to connect to their browser-based client via their wireless internet connection. When activated, players can hold down the Stradia link button, enter the code on the screen, and play Stadia games wirelessly until their battery dies.
Note that they can only play Stadia games wirelessly. The controller connects directly to the app via wifi. It's not a Bluetooth thing. It will control games wirelessly outside Stadia. Ultimately users work better using a standard wireless PC for control, which works with just about anything. But, hello, it's nice to have a wireless controller that works wirelessly, eventually.
