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Google Stadia 'The Claw' Appears for $15

Playing games on Stadia using a smartphone will be a lot easier with the Claw.

 & Matthew Humphries Former Senior Editor

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The best way to play games through Stadia right now is using a Chromecast Ultra hooked up to a TV and relaxing on your sofa with the Stadia Controller. But that's set to change thanks to the Claw accessory.

As The Verge reports, Google has always intended for Stadia to be playable on a whole range of different devices including smartphones. However, there's no easy way to use the Stadia controller with a smartphone right now, but Google hinted at an accessory last month called the Claw, which would solve the problem.

You can see the Claw briefly being used in the video below:

Now the Claw has appeared as a "Made for Google" certified product offered by electronics accessory company Power Support. It's a very simple plastic accessory that slots on to the Stadia controller and securely holds a Pixel phone above it, making for a comfortable handheld gaming combo.

Unfortunately, there's no release date yet, but the listing does include a $14.99 price tag and can be purchased. The list of compatible smartphones so far includes the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, and Pixel 4 XL, but Power Support states, "many other phones will fit into the holder as well." It's also easy to plug in a headphone jack and thread a USB-C cable through the Claw to connect the controller to your phone.

Finally, Google also has some good news for Chromecast Ultra owners. An update rolled out yesterday allows all Ultras to work with Stadia. It means anyone accessing Stadia through a Buddy Pass can now use a Chromecast Ultra rather than just being limited to the Chrome browser or their phone.

About Our Expert

Matthew Humphries

Matthew Humphries

Former Senior Editor

My Experience

I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.

I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.

My Areas of Expertise

  • PC components and system building
  • Raspberry Pi
  • Software development
  • Storage technology
  • Video games and gaming hardware

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