On January 18, 2023, Google will no longer offer its Google Stadia cloud gaming service. This is because the tech giant’s services did not get the popularity it had hoped for.
For the uninitiated, Google Stadia began its rollout in October 2018 with a closed beta and was available to everyone in November 2019. Since consumers are soon to lose access to their titles and games saved on Stadia, some publishers have reportedly shared strategies to keep them on other platforms.
Those who bought Stadia gear through the Google Shop will reportedly get their money back, as will those who bought games or DLC from the Stadia store.
It was also suggested in the report that reimbursements have been started and that the majority of them will be processed by the corporation by January 18 of 2023.
Gmail on the web browser, meanwhile, will soon support end-to-end encryption, as promised by Google. Beta users will soon have the option to send and receive encrypted emails both within and outside of your domain.
Google claims that inbound and outbound email will be fully encrypted, including all attachments and inline graphics.
All data stored in and transmitted through Google Workspace uses industry-leading encryption technologies. In a corporate blog post, they explain how client-side encryption can help with data confidentiality, data sovereignty, and compliance.
Client-side encryption has been available for some time on Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Meet, and Google Calendar (beta), in case you were unaware.
Beginning with a private test in October 2018, the cloud gaming service became live for the general public in November of the following year.
When it first launched in November 2019, Stadia was marketed as a “Netflix for games,” enabling users to stream video games over the internet without buying a gaming device.
However, the service will be discontinued on January 18th, 2023 because it has failed to gain “traction” among gamers.
Players who have already purchased Google’s Stadia controller, in addition to any games or add-on content, are eligible to receive a refund from the company. It stated that it anticipates all of those refunds would be processed by the middle of January.
The Verge writes that although Stadia customers are going to lose access to all of their titles and saves, many publishers are sharing solutions to continue playing their games on other platforms.
Any Stadia hardware purchased from the Google Shop will be refunded, as will all games and downloadable material bought from the Stadia store.
Processing of reimbursements began in November, and the majority are expected to be completed by January 18, according to the newspaper.
It has been said that Google is working on improved playback choices for devices that are compatible with Spotify Connect as well as cross-device notifications that will allow users to resume media listening while on the go.
