Google seems to be testing the Stadia touch screen controls on Android. 9to5Google analyzed the latest release of Stadia on Android and found several references to a “direct touch” feature. Once activated, direct touch allows Stadia users to touch, slide and pinch elements in games or continue to use a Bluetooth or USB controller.
It is not yet clear which games will support direct touch, although Stadia currently has very limited support for touch screen controls in games like Monopoly that allow users to activate touch mode. This new direct touch feature was only discovered on the Android version of Stadia, but I hope it also reaches the web version for iOS.
Google hasn’t officially detailed the direct touch for Stadia, so we still don’t know how the touch controls will be compatible. Microsoft’s xCloud game streaming service has implemented a variety of touch controls in more than 20 games, allowing Xbox players to enjoy games without a controller.
Google also appears to be preparing Android TV support for Stadia. 9to5Google notes that there are explicit references to Android TV in this latest update to the Stadia app. Stadia was launched on Chromecast Ultra devices, but Android TV has not been supported since Stadia’s debut more than a year ago.