Summary
According to a new patent, third-party controller maker Backbone could be working on a mobile controller with bothPlayStationand Xbox button symbols. Backbone is known by many gamers for its line of Backbone One controllers, which can be attached to a mobile phone to allow for a more traditional console gaming experience on the go. In 2022, Backbone announced a controller for thePlayStation 5that would let gamers enjoy a wide variety of popular titles likeHorizon Forbidden West,Gran Turismo 7, andDiablo Immortalon their iPhones via PlayStation Remote Play.
Roughly a year later, Sony and Backbone joined forces once again foranother PlayStation Backbone One controller, this time for Android devices. Backbone had also previously partnered with Sony’s console competitor Microsoft to produce a Backbone One Xbox controller in 2021, when Xbox Cloud Gaming was introduced to iOS devices and other gaming streaming services like GeForce Now and the defunct Google Stadia support Backbone One.
While Backbone’s controllers are typically designed for one gaming system in particular, a recently published patent contains a description and diagram for a prototype Backbone One controller that could theoretically supportboth PlayStation and Xboxthrough dynamically changing buttons. These buttons would feature both PS and Xbox insignia, with multiple light sources behind the buttons allowing them to change based on which console or streaming service the player is using at the time.
New Backbone Controller Could Work With Both PlayStation And Xbox
This could allow Backbone to streamline its production by selling a single Backbone One controller model that would work with both PlayStation and Xbox, instead of selling separate models for each system. The dynamic buttons could also be applied tothird-party controllers in general, allowing gamers to change their button layouts to match a given console or, in the case of PC outlets like Steam, to suit their preference for PlayStation or Xbox control schemes.
While the patent has been filed, there remains a chance thatBackbone’s idea of a controllerwith dynamically changing buttons for both PlayStation and Xbox may never be realized for one reason or another. If it does materialize, it could be a groundbreaking development for third-party peripherals, which are usually bound to one particular system like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S. Customers intrigued by the idea of having one Backbone controller for playingPlayStationand Xbox games from the comfort of their phone will have to stay tuned to see if anything comes from the company’s latest patent.
PlayStation Portal
While not exactly a PSP successor, the PlayStation Portal solves an age-old issue of having to share one TV in a household. This remote play device allows users to stream whatever is happening on their PlayStation 5’s directly to the large 8-inch 1080p LCD screen. What makes the PlayStation Portal unique is that it comes packed with all the advanced technology of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. One downside is that it doesn’t feature Bluetooth support for wireless audio, but it does work with the PlayStation Pulse earbuds and headset, while also sporting a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio.
