Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup – 9/25 – 10/1

Google to shut down Stadia in January 2023

New Google Pixel Watch leak shows retail box 

Apple iPhone 15 Ultra tipped to replace Pro Max moniker, major redesign expected

Apple iOS 16 update fixes iPhone 14 Pro camera shake issue

Some Google Photos users spotted old images being 'corrupted'

iOS 16 bug reportedly breaks support for Cinematic videos in iMovie, Final Cut Pro

HBO drops first trailer of 'The Last of Us' adaptation

You can build a 6,187-piece Lego of Mando's Razor Crest soon 

Darth Vader's voice is now AI-generated 

Intel, Samsung Display show off 'slidable' PC concept

Valve won't host a Lunar New Year sale anymore 

Netflix teases trailer for show about Spotify's rise

WhatsApp adds shareable call links

Amazon introduces Halo Rise bedside clock, sleep tracker

Meta wants to make it easy to switch between Facebook and Instagram accounts 

Amazon Kindle Scribe is a writing-friendly e-reader

Google reportedly scrapped a Stadia-exclusive 'Death Stranding' follow-up

Amazon Echo Studio gets improved spatial audio processing tech

Amazon Echo Studio gets improved spatial audio processing tech

Source: Amazon

There hasn't been an overhaul of Amazon's "best-sounding speaker," but Amazon has released an over-the-air update for the Echo Studio. It gets new spatial audio processing technology and frequency range extension to improve its stereo sound. Nedim Fresko, VP of Amazon devices, told The Verge in an interview that the Echo Studio mimics the performance of a hi-fi stereo system. Meanwhile, its frequency range extension technology delivers improved performance, deeper bass, and better midrange clarity. 

Amazon plans to bring its spatial audio processing to the Echo Show 15 and other compatible Echo devices in the future. If you haven't gotten your hands on the Echo Studio yet, Amazon released a new Glacier White colour option for $259.99.

Google reportedly scrapped a Stadia-exclusive 'Death Stranding' follow-up

Source: Kojima Productions/505 Games

At this point, you might have heard that Google is closing its Stadia cloud gaming service. One of the things that possibly caused its demise is the lack of blockbuster exclusives on the platform. It got access to big titles like Red Dead Redemption 2, Destiny 2, and Cyberpunk 2077, but these games were available elsewhere. And if the rumours are accurate, Google might have spurned the chance to get an exclusive title from one of gaming's biggest names. 

Click to read more ...

Google to shut down Stadia in January 2023

Source: Google

Here's another Google project that's met its untimely demise. The company announced it is closing the doors on its cloud gaming service, Stadia. The platform will stay live for players until January 18, 2023. But the Stadia store has already been shut down. Google plans to refund all Stadia hardware purchased through the Google Store alongside any games and add-on content bought from its store. Google expects to complete those refunds by mid-January. Stadia Pro subscriptions are not eligible for a refund. But you won't be charged during the shutdown period and can access the games you redeemed as a Pro user until everything is wound down.

Google shuts down Stadia because it "hasn't gained the traction with users" it expected. Those working on the Stadia team will move to other departments in the company. Stadia vice president and GM Phil Harrison says Google sees the opportunity to apply Stadia's technology in other parts of the company. It also intends to "make it available to our industry partners, which aligns with where we see the future of gaming headed." If you have additional questions, Google explains this further in an FAQ.

Source