Backbone Pro Review: $170 Is Too Expensive for This Mobile Controller
In an effort to expand beyond smartphones, Backbone is now selling an everything controller. Just like the Backbone One, the new $170 Backbone Pro turns a phone into a quick and dirty gaming handheld, but with added Bluetooth connectivity, it also connects to a PC or smart TV. If you're the traveling kind, it promises to be the only quality (albeit expensive) controller you need to take with you. Or it would be a solid 2-in-1 gamepad if—unlike me—you apparently have enormous hands.
There has to be something exemplary about a 'Pro' device, especially to justify the $170 price compared to the $100 you pay for the Backbone One. If you judge it merely by its on-paper feature set, there's not so much that stands out. The new mobile controller has a pair of back buttons on both the left and right grips. Not exciting enough? The Backbone Pro also houses a special pairing button for connecting to external devices—mainly PC, Mac, or TV—over Bluetooth. You can combine it with the Backbone+ app for button mapping and easy swapping between connected devices with the new 'FlowState' feature.
Backbone Pro
It feels good in hand, but there are missing features that make it less 'pro' than it could be.
Pros Controls are clicky and responsive
Controls are clicky and responsive Textured grips offer extra comfort
Textured grips offer extra comfort Solid battery life with smart power passthrough
Solid battery life with smart power passthrough Smart idea for connecting to multiple devices
Cons Backbone still doesn't feel perfect for my hands
Backbone still doesn't feel perfect for my hands No Hall effect joysticks
No Hall effect joysticks Doesn't extend enough to support latest iPad mini
Doesn't extend enough to support latest iPad mini Expensive
That easy swapping is especially nice for gaming on multiple devices, but is it the controller you honestly want to use for both PC and mobile? Controllers live and die by how they feel in your hands. If you've ever held a Backbone One, you have a good idea of the general feel for the 'Pro' controller, even though there are subtle improvements. The high point of the Backbone One is the D-pad and face buttons, which aren't overly loud even though they have the sort of clicky feeling I enjoy most on low-profile controls. This pricier Backbone includes Hall effect triggers, but even if the new full-size thumbsticks are responsive, they are still the traditional ALPS-type sensor. These use potentiometers to calculate the orientation of the stick, and that can lead to wear and stick drift, whereas Hall effect sticks normally last longer. Hall effect sticks would be more welcome on a gamepad whose full-sized sticks could get knocked around in your backpack when traveling.
The Backbone Pro's satin-textured grips have the feel I normally only get from premium devices, but is it $170 premium? If I had to judge, it wasn't quite on par with high-end 'Pro' level devices from the likes of SCUF, Razer, or even an Xbox Elite wireless controller. These devices normally cost closer to $200 or more, so the Backbone Pro needs to be pitch-perfect. Using the controller, I found my hands were big enough that I needed to adjust my grip ever-so-slightly if I wanted to access the face buttons or D-pad while maintaining quick access to the thumbsticks. It's not a problem when playing some mobile titles or emulating retro titles. When playing a more modern game such as The Elder Scrolls V: Oblivion remake through Xbox Game Pass, I had to adjust my grip more than I was used to.
A larger device like a Gamesir G8+ fits my hands better, but its controls don't feel nearly as polished as the Backbone Pro. There are other trade-offs to consider. Unlike the Backbone One, there is no version of the Pro that supports Apple's Lightning connection. The Razer Kishi Ultra at $150 extends far enough to fit a tiny tablet, but the Backbone Pro doesn't even stretch to allow for the most recent iPad mini's 8.3-inch screen. That's where Bluetooth could come in handy, if only I could cover or remove the USB-C dongle to fit my non-standard device inside.
Combined with a foldable phone like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the Backbone Pro became a kind of pseudo gaming handheld that was especially handy for playing games that fit its wonky 20:9 aspect ratio, specifically Diablo Immortal. Add on the ease of the Backbone+ app, and the Backbone Pro makes streaming games through Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass far more of a console-like experience. The app promotes its 'dual screen' experience when playing on PC or TV. However, it's only useful for checking the charge on both the controller and the phone.
The battery life is perhaps the Backbone Pro's best feature. I could go for around three hours without seeing the device dipping into the 20% mark. The gamepad also includes smart passthrough charging that tops off both the phone and built-in battery at once. I can't knock the build quality on the Backbone Pro. It has controls I'd be happy to use on practically any other gaming device, though only if I didn't have any of my other preferred controls around.
The Backbone Pro is the wireless controller I would slip into my backpack if that space already wasn't occupied with my Steam Deck. As for a mobile controller that would actually fit in my pocket, I'll just keep waiting for MCon to slip into my life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trust in AI is growing in finance, especially behind the scenes
This story was originally published on CX Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CX Dive newsletter. A majority of customers trust the use of AI in behind-the-scenes tasks at financial institutions, according to a TD Bank survey conducted by Ipsos released Tuesday. Among the 2,500 U.S. consumers polled, 70% are comfortable with technology being used for fraud detection, and 64% are comfortable with it being used in credit score calculations. Consumers also believe that AI should offer more ease. Two-thirds believe it can expand access to financial tools, and nearly half expect benefits from AI like 24/7 banking access. As consumers have become more familiar with AI tools, their trust in the technology has slowly grown. Nearly 7 in 10 consumers say they are at least somewhat familiar with AI — a finding seen in other surveys, too. Notably, half of consumers trust that AI will provide reliable, competent information, trusting AI just as much as news stations. But consumers are more comfortable with AI in specific use cases and the more complex or sensitive the matter, the more they want to speak to a human or know that a human will be reviewing AI before making any decisions. Consumers are less inclined to want to only use AI when it comes to tasks that one might typically use a financial adviser for, according Ted Paris, EVP, TD Bank AMCB, and head of analytics, intelligence & AI. When it comes to personal finance, 3 in 5 of consumers were comfortable with the idea of using AI financial tools for budgeting and automating savings goals. But less than half were comfortable with more complex tasks like retirement planning and investing. Banks enjoy high consumer trust — more than 4 in 5 consumers trust banks for accurate information. As they deploy AI, it's important that they maintain that, Paris said. 'What's probably the key piece, is creating and enabling and allowing customers and colleagues to feel that they can trust the outcomes of what this capability then generates,' Paris said. One of the ways TD Bank is approaching this is by always having a human in the loop, meaning that the output of an AI solution will be passed through some internal expert before going to a client. 'We need to make sure that first, anything that we're doing is directed toward a particular need,' Paris said. 'We need to make sure that this is going to meet all hurdles that we would set, legal, regulatory, for security and privacy.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Firefly Aerospace to launch 'Ocula' moon-imaging service as early as 2026
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Firefly Aerospace's lunar ambitions are growing. The Texas-based company, which successfully operated its Blue Ghost lander on the lunar surface earlier this year, announced today (June 18) that it's working on a new moon project: a "lunar imaging service" called Ocula. "Powered by a constellation of Elytra vehicles in lunar orbit, and eventually Mars orbit, Ocula will provide critical data that informs future human and robotic missions and supports national security with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance," Firefly CEO Jason Kim said in an emailed statement. "This service will fill a void for our nation with advanced lunar imaging capabilities and a sustainable commercial business model." Firefly is developing its Elytra vehicle for a variety of uses in Earth orbit and deep space, including the region around the moon. The Ocula project will equip Elytra probes with high-resolution telescopes developed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy facility in the California Bay Area. These scopes will be able to resolve features as small as 8 inches (20 centimeters) on the lunar surface from an altitude of 31 miles (50 kilometers), according to Firefly. "With ultraviolet and visible spectrum capabilities, the telescopes are designed to support situational awareness of other objects in cislunar space, enable fine-grained lunar surface details and identify concentrations of ilmenite, which indicates the presence of helium-3," Firefly representatives wrote in the emailed statement. (Helium-3, a potential fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors, is thought to be more abundant on the moon than it is on Earth.) Ocula data could also help researchers and planners select landing sites for future robotic or crewed missions, the company added. Firefly aims to license the data to both government and commercial customers. Related Stories: — 'We're on the moon!' Private Blue Ghost moon lander aces historic lunar landing for NASA — Watch sparks fly as Blue Ghost lander drills into the moon (video) — Watch the sun set over the moon in epic video from private Blue Ghost lunar lander If all goes according to plan, Ocula will kick off next year, on the second Blue Ghost lunar landing mission. An Elytra with an LLNL scope will serve as the transfer vehicle for that mission, which will put Blue Ghost down on the moon's far side (and also deliver a European Space Agency probe to lunar orbit). Elytra will serve as a communications relay for Blue Ghost and its payloads for the duration of the lander's roughly two-week-long surface mission. After those duties are done, Elytra will begin its Ocula work, imaging the lunar surface in detail for more than five years. Another scope-equipped Elytra will launch in 2028, on the third Blue Ghost mission. And other spacecraft will follow in the ensuing years, if all goes to plan. "Firefly will expand its constellation of Elytra vehicles in lunar orbit to further enhance the Ocula service and enable faster revisit times for situational awareness, resource detection and mission planning," Firefly wrote in the statement. "Longer term, the service can also be extended to Mars and other planetary bodies."
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nomad Internet Launches First-Ever Nationwide Free Internet Service for RV Parks
AUSTIN, Texas, June 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nomad Internet, America's leading provider of high-speed internet for rural communities and travelers, has announced the official launch of Nomad RV Free Internet, the first-of-its-kind, completely free Wi-Fi service built specifically for RV parks and their guests across the United the goal to eliminate the digital divide for travelers, Nomad RV Internet is free to deploy, free to maintain, and free to use for both RV park owners and their guests. In a recent LinkedIn post, Jaden Garza (CINO Nomad Internet) said, 'The parks have been waiting for this solution for months. They want to provide seamless internet for their guests without the complexity of individual account setups.' With this unique initiative, Nomad Internet is transforming how connectivity is delivered to the RV lifestyle, empowering travelers with internet access they can count on, wherever the road takes them. A Nationwide Rollout: 4,000 RV Parks by Summer's EndNomad Internet is already in the process of launching this unique service in over 4,000 RV parks nationwide, aiming to cover roughly one-third of all RV parks in the United States by the end of the summer. Jaden said in another LinkedIn post 'Nomad Internet is uniquely positioned to deliver Wi-Fi coverage to nearly 4,000 RV Parks—representing approximately one-third of all RV parks in the United States.' The company plans to expand even further by year's end, with the long-term vision of making Nomad RV Internet a standard amenity in every park. "Internet is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity," said Jaden Garza. "We're proud to offer a service that finally bridges the gap for millions of Americans who live, travel, or vacation in RVs. Our goal is simple: to deliver free, fast, and reliable Wi-Fi in every RV park across the country." How It Works: The Nomad RV Wi-Fi StationAt the core of this service is the new "Nomad RV Wi-Fi Station," a self-contained, battery-capable wireless internet unit that requires no existing infrastructure, wiring, or technical setup. Designed to be deployed by just plugging in the Wi-Fi Station, Nomad RV Wi-Fi Station: Connects to Nomad's private nationwide wireless network. Delivers high-speed internet access across the entire RV park. Offers consistent, secure, and maintenance-free service. Requires no tech support or investment from park owners. These stations are fully managed and monitored by Nomad's technical operations team, allowing park staff to focus on hospitality — not troubleshooting routers or fielding guest complaints about connectivity. Why Free? Fixing a Broken SystemFor decades, RV parks have been expected to provide internet service as an amenity — yet the cost and complexity of doing so have created widespread frustration. Outdated infrastructure, poor service, and maintenance headaches have made the internet one of the most complained-about aspects of the RV park experience. Nomad RV Internet flips this model on its headInstead of forcing RV park owners to act as IT managers or invest in costly upgrades every few years, Nomad is offering a fully supported, always up-to-date network—at no cost whatsoever. Parks can easily sign up, plug in the Nomad Wi-Fi Station, and start providing premium-quality internet to every guest without any additional effort. Too many parks have had to choose between expensive tech or no internet at all," Jaden added. "We're removing that barrier once and for all." Trusted by Thousands of TravelersNomad Internet is already the largest internet provider for RVers and rural customers in the country. Known for its customer-first approach, blazing-fast service, and nationwide coverage, Nomad is trusted by digital nomads, remote workers, families, and retirees who rely on stable internet access wherever they go. Nomad RV Internet takes that commitment to the next level, transforming entire communities of travelers with the power of connection. Look for the Nomad RV Internet BadgeWhen an RV park is powered by Nomad, guests will see the "Nomad RV Internet" badge—a symbol that means free, fast, and unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the park. There are no logins to manage, no complicated network names, and no time limits—just open, reliable internet from America's most trusted rural ISP. Whether travelers are streaming movies under the stars, working remotely, planning their next road trip, or video-calling loved ones, Nomad RV Internet ensures they stay connected—no matter how far they roam. For Park Owners: Join the MovementRV park owners across the country are invited to join the Nomad RV Internet program today. There is no cost, no risk, and no hardware investment. Nomad handles everything, from shipping to setup, support to upgrades, and guests could enjoy best-in-class internet from day one. Installation works by plugging in the station in to power, and in minutes the park immediately become part of a growing national network backed by the most powerful rural wireless spectrum in the U.S. RV park owners can get started by visiting: About Nomad InternetNomad Internet is America's largest wireless internet provider for rural and traveling customers. With a mission to close the digital divide, Nomad delivers ultra-fast, reliable internet anywhere in the country, from off-grid cabins to cross-country RVs. Every Nomad product is designed to be portable, powerful, and user-friendly, putting the internet in the hands of those who need it most. To learn more about Nomad Internet, visit: Media Contact:Company Name: Nomad InternetContact Person: Manish RoshanEmail: +1 281 800 1000 Disclaimer: This content is provided by the Nomad Internet. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
