Backbone, a company known for its innovative phone controllers, has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of its new Backbone Pro gaming controller. Designed to bridge the gap between various gaming platforms, the Pro controller promises to deliver a seamless gaming experience across devices, eliminating the need for multiple controllers.

The Backbone Pro boasts a similar design to its predecessor, the Backbone One, but with a more solid build and a few notable upgrades. The most significant difference lies in its ability to connect wirelessly to a range of devices, including Xbox, iPad, and smart TVs, via Bluetooth. This Wireless Mode, as Backbone calls it, allows gamers to play their favorite titles on any compatible device without the need for a phone dock.

The controller itself features two full-size thumbsticks, a D-pad, A, B, X, and Y buttons, as well as two shoulder buttons and a trigger button. It also comes equipped with a headphone jack and a USB-C port, with a battery life of up to 40 hours on a single charge. Backbone CEO Maneet Khaira emphasized the complexity of the device, highlighting the three circuit boards on each side and the challenge of fitting all the components into such a small space.

The Backbone Pro is not just about hardware, however. The company's app plays a crucial role in making the system work, serving as a universal library of games across all connected devices. The app aims to remember which consoles you're connected to, the specific control layout for each one, and where you were in each game. This allows gamers to pause a game on one screen and pick it up on another without putting the controller down.

The device is compatible with a range of game-streaming services, both major mobile platforms, and many consoles and devices. However, it's worth noting that it won't work with everything – specifically, it's not an officially supported PlayStation controller due to button layout differences. Additionally, it doesn't work with the Nintendo Switch. Khaira hopes to eventually support all major platforms in one place, but console-specific versions of the controller may be necessary in the meantime.

Khaira's vision for the Backbone Pro is ambitious: he wants the controller to become the console, allowing gamers to play anywhere, anytime, without being tied to a specific device. This idea is reminiscent of Google's now-defunct Stadia project, which also aimed to create a cross-platform gaming ecosystem. Khaira is confident that Backbone can succeed where Stadia failed.

The Backbone Pro is available for purchase now, priced at $169, although this may change due to tariff fluctuations. The company will continue to sell the $100 Backbone One, but hopes the new Pro model will eventually replace it – and every other game pad on the market.

With the Backbone Pro, the company is taking a significant step towards creating a unified gaming experience across devices. If successful, this could revolutionize the way we play games, making it easier to switch between devices and platforms without sacrificing performance or convenience. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the Backbone Pro fares in this new era of cross-platform gaming.