Pixelated 85: Goodbye Asus, hello Clicks

Welcome to episode 85 of Pixelated, a podcast by 9to5Google. This week, Abner, Damien, and Will talk through the end of Asus as a smartphone brand, as the company takes an indefinite hiatus from Android to focus on AI. After trying to figure out what’s next after the smartphone, we’re diving into some thoughts on the Clicks Communicator, Google’s Digital Wellbeing tools, and the whole thinking behind minimalist devices. Plus, we send Stadia off with one final goodbye.

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Timecodes

• 00:00 – Intro and Asus leaving the market
• 07:35 – What comes after smartphones?
• 22:59 – Clicks Communicator and digital detoxing
• 45:34 – Stadia’s last goodbye

Hosts

• Abner Li
• Damien Wilde
• Will Sattelberg

Read more

• Asus won’t make any new Android phones in 2026, but it might not be done yet
• The Clicks Communicator might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me
• Google just killed the last of Stadia

Listen to more 9to5 Podcasts

• The Sideload
• 9to5Mac Happy Hour
• Electrek
• Space Explored

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Drop us a line at gtips@9to5g.com, leave a comment on the post, or reach out to our producer.

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