The Weekly Authority: 👋 Sayonara Stadia

⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority newsletter that breaks down the top Android and tech news from the week. The 214th edition here, with plenty Pixel news before next week’s event, a farewell to Google Stadia, deepfake Bruce Willis and more…

🍰 It’s International Coffee Day today, so what better day for the new coffee and cake deal at my local coffee shop? The only question is, pumpkin spice or gingerbread latte?

Popular news this week

Google:

Loads of Pixel news: Google Pixel 7 specs leak, and we also saw a leaked spec sheet for the Pixel 7 Pro. Both look like iterative upgrades.
Speaking of, Amazon may have accidentally revealed the Pixel 7 price.
Meanwhile, Google officially showed off all the Pixel 7 colors in a new design video, and later in the week, a new Pixel 7 leak gave us the best look yet at the front and back in all colors.
And two exciting Pixel 7 features were just confirmed by the Google Play Console.
Here’s what to expect from Google’s Pixel 7 event, happening next week on October 6.
A Pixel Watch was spotted early at Target, a week before Google’s Pixel event.
We also heard about a Pixel Watch randomly attempting to pair with someone’s phone at a mall.
Speaking of, Google suspiciously makes Pixel Watch bezels smaller in new video, following last week’s video showing thicker bezels.
And here’s an update on what the Pixel Watch costs for the Wi-Fi model.
An error is preventing some people from using Google Wallet, and we’re waiting on a response from Google.
And there’s a fix incoming for the Google Photos image corruption issue — your original photos aren’t impacted, phew!
Finally: Google Phone app appears to be testing a new ‘bottom bar’ in-call UI on Pixel phones

Samsung:

Vanilla Samsung Galaxy S23 renders broke cover this week, as well as a first look at the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra leaks — though we didn’t learn about anything else other than the design.
Speaking of the S23 Ultra, that 200MP camera is looking more likely.
And it looks like the Galaxy S23 could launch sooner than expected: Does this mean a January or even December launch?
Samsung expands Android 13 beta to last year’s affordable Galaxy A52.
And Samsung Galaxy S20 users can now get a taste of Android 13 too.
Meanwhile, Samsung copies Apple (who copied Samsung) with latest lock screen tweaks.
And YouTuber says Samsung phone batteries are prematurely swelling.
A recent update has disrupted texting for some Galaxy S22 users, but the issue could be the carriers rather than the phone itself.
Also: The Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 finally got the long-overdue September patch.

Apple:

Looks like we’re getting new MacBook Pros in October, according to a new report from DigiTimes.
Apple Watch Ultra survives hammer beating while table underneath it cracks: It’s a tough nut to crack.
Apple Pay Later may not arrive until next year due to “technical and engineering” setbacks.

Nothing:

Nothing Ear Stick specs show up in regulatory listing.
And here’s when your Nothing Phone 1 will get the first taste of Android 13.

OnePlus:

We learned more about the upcoming OnePlus 11R, looks like a worthy follow-up to the India-exclusive OnePlus 10R.

Computing:

Intel wants to help make Windows play friendly with both Android and iOS with the Intel Unison app.
Meanwhile, Intel and Samsung show off fun but impractical ‘slidable’ PC at Intel’s Innovation 2022 conference.

Social media:

Twitter put out its first edited tweet on Friday, though no concrete date for the edit button just yet.
Trump may be allowed back on Facebook early next year.
Instagram’s developing a nudity filter for direct messages, could help filter out those unsolicited nudes.
And TikTok could face a $29m fine in the UK: It’s been given 30 days to respond to findings it may have breached data protection laws related to children.

Space:

NASA successfully hurled its DART spacecraft into an asteroid, traveling at roughly 14,000 MPH when it collided with the Dimorphos asteroid some 68 million miles from Earth.
And NASA postponed its planned Artemis I mission due to Storm Ian.
Astrobotic announced LunaGrid, a commercial power service for the moon, which could allow astronauts and companies to survive the long, cold lunar nights.
Wow: Check out the winners of the ASTROnomy Photographer of the Year 2022 competition.

Elsewhere:

Amazon announced a new e-ink tablet called the Kindle Scribe at its hardware event on Wednesday, alongside other devices, including the Halo Rise and a new Echo Dot.
And Amazon’s holding a Prime early access sale on October 11 and 12.
HUAWEI announces international launch of the Mate 50 series: The lineup will feature a 10-scale adjustable physical aperture and enhanced drop resistance.
This foldable beats the Galaxy Z Fold 4 with bigger battery, faster charging.
New Garmin satellite device allows you to text anywhere, even with no service.
You can now create and share links for WhatsApp video calls.
Airlines would have to give out refunds for busted Wi-Fi under proposed rule.
Beijing bus drivers have been told to wear wristbands to monitor their emotions, supposedly to protect safety.
Mercedes boss says electric G-Class on track for 2024.
And while we’re on EVS, New York state to adopt California 2035 EV rules, meaning all new vehicles sold in 2035 must be electric or plug-in electric hybrid.
Meanwhile, Tesla recalls almost 1.1m vehicles over window glitch — looks like the power windows could close too fast and pinch a passenger.
Speaking of, Tesla unveiled its humanoid Optimus robot at its second AI day on Friday — the robot walked on stage and waved at the audience before breaking out some dance moves.
Finally: Chinese scientists create world’s first cloned Arctic wolf: The process involved the creation of 137 new embryos and used Beagles due to their shared genetic ancestry with Arctic wolves.

Movies/TV:

Movie legend Bruce Willis becomes first celebrity to sell rights to deepfake firm: The actor has sold his rights to the possibility of a “digital twin” to be used onscreen for future projects to US firm Deepcake.
HBO Max releases The Last of Us trailer to bring more gamers to the streaming service: The first full trailer gives us a glimpse of Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie.
The Witcher: Blood Origin debuts December 25 on Netflix: British actress Minnie Driver is part of the prequel cast, with Michelle Yeoh starring as Scian, the tale’s elven protagonist.
Speaking of Netflix, here’s why Netflix’s Dahmer series has sparked a backlash online: Some say it’s retraumatizing for the victims’ families.
Here’s our pick of the best new streaming shows and movies this week, including season three of Ramy, Australian horror-comedy Sissy, and the return of the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus 2.
Meanwhile, Breaking Bad creator’s next series will stream on Apple TV Plus, still untitled but starring Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul).
Check out the creepy trailer for Attachment, starring The Killing’s Sofie Gråbøl as a religious, highly protective mother, coming to Shudder in 2023.
And since it’s spooky season, we’ve ranked Sam Raimi movies, including classics like The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness.
An AI program voiced Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi so James Earl Jones could finally retire.
Finally: Mashable’s Catherine Called Birdy review asks, “What happens when Lena Dunham makes a movie for kids?”

Gaming:

Google is shutting down Stadia, surprising pretty much no one — all hardware, software, and DLC purchases will be refunded, and the service will remain live for players until January 18, 2023. Is this the right decision for Google? Vote in our poll and let us know.
Meanwhile, Netflix to open first studio focused on creating original games, based in Helsinki, Finland.
Razer Edge 5G is a new Android gaming handheld with 5G support: It also packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3X Gen 1 silicon.
The alleged GTA 6 leaker has been formally charged by police: The 17-year-old was also arrested earlier this year for hacking NVIDIA and Microsoft.
E3 2023 returns in June with separate business and consumer days: June 13 to June 16, 2023 are the dates for your diary.
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals is delayed until 2023: Developer Night School Studio says it needs more time to make the sequel “truly special.”
And PlayStation Stars launched in Asia: The platform’s new loyalty program lets you earn loyalty points and digital collectibles, with the former being redeemable for PSN funds and more. We’re expecting a launch in more markets next month.

Reviews

Apple iPhone 14 Pro review: Apple’s private island — “Longtime iOS fans who can’t afford to drop $1,000 on a flagship will have to look on with envy, but for those that can afford the plane ticket, life on Apple’s private island is still pretty sweet.”
Apple iPhone 14 review: The old ways — “The iPhone 14 is the best entry-level iPhone flagship ever made, but there’s nowhere near enough new technology to encourage existing iPhone 13 owners to upgrade, nor to entice Android users over the fence.”
Fitbit Sense 2 review: Wait for the Pixel Watch — “With the near-identical Versa 4 offering all the same Fitbit essentials for less and the Fitbit-integrated Google Pixel Watch on the horizon, the Sense 2 is a bafflingly hard sell.”
Apple Watch SE 2 review: All the essentials for less — “There’s no need to break the bank for an Apple Watch when the excellent, affordable SE 2 is up for grabs.”

Features

The Nexus 6P was the blueprint for Google’s Pixel ambitions — “It’s been seven years since the Nexus 6P launched, and for all its hits and misses, it has left an unmistakable imprint on the future of Google’s smartphone ambitions” (Android Authority).
I’m in a love-hate relationship with the iPhone 14 Pro’s always-on display — “I love how Apple’s always-on display looks, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Android does it better” (Android Authority).
Not all bots are bad, and Twitter knows it: “Automated accounts are the target of ire and the linchpin of Elon Musk’s attempt to break his deal with the platform. But some are benign — or even helpful” (Wired).
Content moderation is changing how we speak — and dictating who gets heard: “Le dollar bean, unalive, and seggs: The new internet lexicon serves the algorithm but not those who need it most” (Mashable).
Inside the documentary cash grab: “THR talks to Alex Gibney, Ken Burns, and other filmmakers about rising costs, ethical lapses, and the very soul of their profession” (THR).

Weekly Wonder

Did you know that Stadia turned down the opportunity for an exclusive Death Stranding follow-up?

Before Google started winding down Stadia Games and Entertainment, a little over a year after Stadia’s launch, it was reported to be working with quite a few well-known developers on Stadia-exclusive titles.
This included projects with companies such as Harmonix, as well as big names like Hideo Kojima and Yu Suzuki.
According to 9to5Google, Kojima was working on a Stadia-exclusive follow-up to Death Stranding.
The original game launched in 2019 was an asynchronous multiplayer game and a PlayStation exclusive.
The proposed sequel would reportedly have been single-player only, with some reports suggesting it would be an “episodic horror game.”
And it looks like that might be why Google canceled Stadia’s Kojima collab, believing there wasn’t the market anymore for single-player experiences.
The game had reportedly received initial approval from Google and the early stages of development had begun.
Phil Harrison, Stadia’s General Manger, made the final call to scrap the project shortly after the first mockups were shown in mid-2020.

There’s still a single-player market

Death Stranding has since been re-released on PC and is a popular game — plus there’s a sequel in the works. Single-player games are far from over — just look at games like God of War, The Last of Us, or Control.

Would a Stadia-exclusive title from Hideo Kojima have saved Stadia as a platform? I guess we’ll never know, but given that the original game spent four years in development, the follow-up may never have launched before Stadia’s demise…

Tech Calendar

October 6 @ 10 AM ET: Pixel 7 launch
October 11 @ 1PM ET: Meta Connect Conference (new VR headset?)
October 11-12: Amazon Prime Early Access Sale
October 12 @ 10 AM PT: Samsung Developer Conference
October 13: Pixel 7 on sale? (TBC)
November 8: Skull and Bones release date on Xbox Series S/X, PS5, PC, Stadia, and Luna
November 9: God of War: Ragnarok launches on PS4, PS5
November 15-17: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit
November 18: The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

Tech Tweet of the Week

Did Optimus learn its moves from Musk?

Something extra: We’re into spooky season now, with just a few weeks until Halloween, so check out this weird Tweet about phantom moaning noises on flights — and these other stories too.

Have a hauntingly good week!

Paula Beaton, Copy Editor.