The Weekly Authority: 👋 Sayonara Stadia

⚡ Welcome to The Weekly Authority, the Android Authority e-newsletter that breaks down the highest Android and tech information from the week. The 214th version right here, with loads Pixel information earlier than subsequent week’s occasion, a farewell to Google Stadia, deepfake Bruce Willis and extra…

🍰 It’s Worldwide Espresso Day immediately, so what higher day for the brand new espresso and cake deal at my native espresso store? The one query is, pumpkin spice or gingerbread latte?

Fashionable information this week

Google:

A great deal of Pixel information: Google Pixel 7 specs leak, and we additionally noticed a leaked spec sheet for the Pixel 7 Professional. Each appear like iterative upgrades.
Talking of, Amazon could have unintentionally revealed the Pixel 7 worth.
In the meantime, Google formally confirmed off all of the Pixel 7 colours in a brand new design video, and later within the week, a brand new Pixel 7 leak gave us the most effective look but at the back and front in all colours.
And two thrilling Pixel 7 options had been simply confirmed by the Google Play Console.
Right here’s what to anticipate from Google’s Pixel 7 occasion, taking place subsequent week on October 6.
A Pixel Watch was noticed early at Goal, per week earlier than Google’s Pixel occasion.
We additionally heard a couple of Pixel Watch randomly making an attempt to pair with somebody’s cellphone at a mall.
Talking of, Google suspiciously makes Pixel Watch bezels smaller in new video, following final week’s video exhibiting thicker bezels.
And right here’s an replace on what the Pixel Watch prices for the Wi-Fi mannequin.
An error is stopping some folks from utilizing Google Pockets, and we’re ready on a response from Google.
And there’s a repair incoming for the Google Photographs picture corruption concern — your unique pictures aren’t impacted, phew!
Lastly: Google Telephone app seems to be testing a brand new ‘backside bar’ in-call UI on Pixel telephones

Films/TV:

Film legend Bruce Willis turns into first movie star to promote rights to deepfake agency: The actor has offered his rights to the potential of a “digital twin” for use onscreen for future tasks to US agency Deepcake.
HBO Max releases The Final of Us trailer to convey extra players to the streaming service: The primary full trailer provides 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 a part of the prequel forged, with Michelle Yeoh starring as Scian, the story’s elven protagonist.
Talking of Netflix, right here’s why Netflix’s Dahmer sequence has sparked a backlash on-line: Some say it’s retraumatizing for the victims’ households.
Right here’s our choose of the most effective new streaming reveals and films this week, together with season three of Ramy, Australian horror-comedy Sissy, and the return of the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus 2.
In the meantime, Breaking Dangerous creator’s subsequent sequence will stream on Apple TV Plus, nonetheless untitled however starring Rhea Seehorn (Higher Name Saul).
Take a look at the creepy trailer for Attachment, starring The Killing’s Sofie Gråbøl as a spiritual, extremely protecting mom, coming to Shudder in 2023.
And because it’s spooky season, we’ve ranked Sam Raimi films, together with classics like The Evil Useless and Military of Darkness.
An AI program voiced Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi so James Earl Jones might lastly retire.
Lastly: Mashable’s Catherine Referred to as Birdy evaluation asks, “What occurs when Lena Dunham makes a film for teenagers?”

Gaming:

Google is shutting down Stadia, stunning just about nobody — all {hardware}, software program, and DLC purchases shall be refunded, and the service will stay reside for gamers till January 18, 2023. Is that this the precise resolution for Google? Vote in our ballot and tell us.
In the meantime, Netflix to open first studio centered on creating unique video games, based mostly in Helsinki, Finland.
Razer Edge 5G is a brand new Android gaming handheld with 5G assist: It additionally packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3X Gen 1 silicon.
The alleged GTA 6 leaker has been formally charged by police: The 17-year-old was additionally arrested earlier this yr for hacking Nvidia and Microsoft.
E3 2023 returns in June with separate enterprise and shopper days: June 13 to June 16, 2023 are the dates to your diary.
Oxenfree II: Misplaced Alerts is delayed till 2023: Developer Night time Faculty Studio says it wants extra time to make the sequel “actually particular.”
And PlayStation Stars launched in Asia: The platform’s new loyalty program permits you to earn loyalty factors and digital collectibles, with the previous being redeemable for PSN funds and extra. We’re anticipating a launch in additional markets subsequent month.

Opinions

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Options

The Nexus 6P was the blueprint for Google’s Pixel ambitions — “It’s been seven years for the reason that Nexus 6P launched, and for all its hits and misses, it has left an unmistakable imprint on the way forward for Google’s smartphone ambitions” (Android Authority).
I’m in a love-hate relationship with the iPhone 14 Professional’s always-on show — “I like how Apple’s always-on show seems to be, however there’s little question in my thoughts that Android does it higher” (Android Authority).
Not all bots are dangerous, and Twitter is aware of it: “Automated accounts are the goal of ire and the linchpin of Elon Musk’s try to interrupt his cope with the platform. However some are benign — and even useful” (Wired).
Content material moderation is altering how we communicate — and dictating who will get heard: “Le greenback bean, unalive, and seggs: The brand new web lexicon serves the algorithm however not those that want it most” (Mashable).
Contained in the documentary money seize: “THR talks to Alex Gibney, Ken Burns, and different filmmakers about rising prices, moral lapses, and the very soul of their career” (THR).

Weekly Marvel

Norman Reedus and Lea Seydoux in Death Stranding.

Do you know that Stadia turned down the chance for an unique Loss of life Stranding follow-up?

Earlier than Google began winding down Stadia Video games and Leisure, somewhat over a yr after Stadia’s launch, it was reported to be working with fairly a couple of well-known builders on Stadia-exclusive titles.
This included tasks with firms reminiscent of Harmonix, in addition to massive names like Hideo Kojima and Yu Suzuki.
In line with 9to5Google, Kojima was engaged on a Stadia-exclusive follow-up to Loss of life Stranding.
The unique recreation launched in 2019 was an asynchronous multiplayer recreation and a PlayStation unique.
The proposed sequel would reportedly have been single-player solely, with some studies suggesting it could be an “episodic horror recreation.”
And it seems to be like that is likely to be why Google canceled Stadia’s Kojima collab, believing there wasn’t the market anymore for single-player experiences.
The sport had reportedly obtained preliminary approval from Google and the early phases of improvement had begun.
Phil Harrison, Stadia’s Basic Manger, made the ultimate name to scrap the venture shortly after the primary mockups had been proven in mid-2020.

Would a Stadia-exclusive title from Hideo Kojima have saved Stadia as a platform? I assume we’ll by no means know, however provided that the unique recreation spent 4 years in improvement, the follow-up could by no means have launched earlier than Stadia’s demise…

Learn extra: Killing Stadia makes me belief Google much less

Tech Calendar

October 6 @ 10 AM ET: Pixel 7 launch
October 11 @ 1PM ET: Meta Join Convention (new VR headset?)
October 11-12: Amazon Prime Early Entry Sale
October 12 @ 10 AM PT: Samsung Developer Convention
October 13: Pixel 7 on sale? (TBC)
November 8: Cranium and Bones launch date on Xbox Collection S/X, PS5, PC, Stadia, and Luna
November 9: God of Battle: Ragnarok launches on PS4, PS5
November 15-17: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit
November 18: The Darkish Footage: The Satan in Me launches on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Collection S/X, and PC