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I love the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld.
The business of game streaming is difficult, but easy, combined with a good service like Xbox Game Pass and a strong internet connection. It’s not my ideal switch for getting games, but it’s a good companion nonetheless.
So, when a company that specializes in hardware like Logitech decided to create a handheld device dedicated to game streaming, it was found to a lesser extent.
But having used the (shockingly expensive) $350 G Cloud Gaming Handheld, I have to say, I may have kept my search to myself. And worst of all, Logitech isn’t the only one to blame. Despite the huge improvements in game streaming since the days of OnLive, the technology is not yet ready for mainstream use. The state of American broadband is not yet ready for it. Using traditional Android games as a backup if your internet is down is not as easy a solution as you might think.
But it’s not all bad news. Here’s what to do about the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld, and what Logitech will fix if it finds a solution.
Inverse may receive a portion of the sale if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
Better design than the Switch
If you’re making a handheld in 2022, there’s a good chance you’re thinking of making one with the same basic design as the Nintendo Switch. It’s clear what went through Logitech’s mind. The G Cloud Gaming Handheld has a 7-inch touchscreen sandwiched between joysticks, a D-pad, and X/Y/B/A buttons in the same layout as you’d find on an Xbox controller. The L and R shoulder buttons are on the same sliders as well, with the actual “new” buttons being a yellow “G” button on the left and a home button on the right.
At the top of the G Cloud, there is a volume rocker and power switch on the left and a microSD card slot on the right. The bottom of the device is dedicated to the speakers on the left and right, and a headphone jack and USB-C port in the center. For more detailed information on the features of Logitech G Cloud, here are the details:
Logitech G Cloud Tech Specs
- Equipment: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Octo-core CPU
- Description: 1,920 x 1,080, 16:9, 7-inch LCD touchscreen
- Audio: Stereo speakers, two microphones, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack
- Battery life: 23.1Wh, 6,00mAh
- Add: Dual Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.1
- Storage: 64GB, microSD card expansion slot
- OS: Android 11
The G Cloud is more comfortable to hold than the Switch, thanks to the ergonomic design Logitech used on the back and sides of the device. The G Cloud is more rounded where it needs to be, the back is more snug against your finger when you’re holding it. The handheld is more stable overall (there are adjustments attached to the auxiliary device) without being heavy. Of course, Nintendo should consider copying it.
The only thing holding the G Cloud back from a technical perspective is sound. The speakers are not very good. The handheld doesn’t feel like it’s loud, and there isn’t much of a dynamic range in what you hear. The sound just came out. The speakers serve a purpose, and of course, if you have headphones this is not a problem, but when you consider the price of the G Cloud, it is a bad show in my book.
Ready game advertising
But we’re here for game streaming, right? An alternative to just slapping your phone on a Backbone driver and calling it a day? Well, the G Cloud Gaming Handheld is, in many cases, better than I expected, but you need to have a strong internet connection.
The software ships with apps like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox, GeForce Now, Steam Link, and Moonlight pre-installed. I don’t have a gaming PC, so I don’t have access to services that focus solely on streaming games from a desktop computer, but the others worked fine. I was able to recreate the experience of playing the console at home most of the time.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is the cheapest and easiest of the bunch. If you’re paying for a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you can access a wide library of games with just one log-in. I have had no problems using the G Cloud drivers on the devices I have installed, that is Ridiculous or otherwise Fortniteand overall, I’m surprised that Microsoft is willing to try and stream a game, even if my connection is poor.
GeForce Now is a different story. Its arrangement is different; you’re streaming games you’ve purchased from one of GeForce’s decked-out PCs, so you’ll need to log in to your Steam account to authenticate yourself to them. It’s better to choose which websites to stream. If you paid for the current level of GeForce to be able to stream 4K, you need about 40 Mbps speed. All that said, when I was able to meet GeForce Now’s requirements, games were the same. Jedi: The Fallen Order It’s better than anything I’ve ever seen playing on a console.
Besides the finicky network, the other problem is trying to stream PlayStation games. The PS Now app doesn’t recognize G Cloud’s built-in controllers, meaning you’re connecting to a Bluetooth controller or using touch controls. It’s definitely not ideal, and something I don’t expect Sony to fix anytime soon. This isn’t an official Xbox app, but in some ways, it is.
You don’t want a $350 Android tablet
So, if the device is more stable, and the game works better than not, what if there is no internet? Yes, you have problems. The G Cloud Gaming Handheld runs Android 11 and has the Play Store, so the world will be your oyster when it comes to games, but the reality is much simpler.
The Snapdragon 720G chip supports mid-range Android phones, but it’s not a gaming powerhouse. Powerful graphics games like Diablo Immortal kneel on the high sides, and look in horror on the low ones. Administrative support is another issue. Even if you have those more mobile games running, they may not be able to see the dedicated capabilities of G Cloud, even if they support them.
I haven’t figured out how to get it Genshin Impact, a game that works well with Backbone, see the built-in buttons and the joys of Logitech’s device. Add to that the big problem of curation in the Play Store – there is no easy way to find games that support drivers – and things are fast.
Logitech’s skin on Android 11 is simple, with a scrolling, Switch-like app launcher, a place for apps you want to pin and use often at the bottom, and menus you can navigate with a driver on top. It’s not too difficult to find yourself thrown into the usual Android if you dig into the settings, and once you’ve set up the G Cloud you can completely ignore Logitech’s launcher if you prefer vanilla Android. It’s not a terrible experience overall, but when you run programs that are meant to run on a phone or tablet, drivers can get around.
Should you buy?
Logitech’s G Cloud Gaming Handheld promises a lot for $350: the ability to take PC and console games on the go, play Android games with quality controllers, and pack both into one package equipment It can do all, but all three are good if you can meet many requirements first.
You can buy a great Nintendo Switch (as it looks) for $349, or pay less and get a Steam Deck for $399. Both can play high quality games without an internet connection. With the uncertainty and new price of the G Cloud, why not buy a Switch or Steam Deck first?
Logitech is playing with the future, and it has created a good first image of what a cloud gaming handheld could be. But until the availability of fast internet is common or the cost of the device, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld is the most niche product; a first-time user in pure form and after trying it, I opened it up to be a great one.
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