Summary
- Backbone has filed a patent for a controller that would work with both PlayStation and Xbox consoles through dynamically changing buttons.
- Light sources behind each button would allow them to change their insignia depending on the console being used.
- It's unclear when, or if, the product will be released.
According to a new patent, third-party controller maker Backbone could be working on a mobile controller with both PlayStation and 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 the PlayStation 5 that would let gamers enjoy a wide variety of popular titles like Horizon Forbidden West, Gran Turismo 7, and Diablo Immortal on their iPhones via PlayStation Remote Play.
Roughly a year later, Sony and Backbone joined forces once again for another 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.
More Information About Sony's Hot/Cold PlayStation Controller Appears Online
Some new info about Sony's hot-and-cold PlayStation controller appears online, mentioning everything from pain sensations to accessibility features.
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 support both PlayStation and Xbox through 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 to third-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 that Backbone’s idea of a controller with 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 playing PlayStation and 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
- Playing Time
- 6-8 hours
- Brand
- PlayStation
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.
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info- Weight
- 529g
- Headset Compatibility
- 3.5mm, PlayStation Link
- Display
- 8-inch LCD
- Output resolution
- 1080p
- Release Date
- November 15, 2023