Backbone One App Update: New Subscription for New Users

Backbone One Controller Receives Significant Software Updates

The Backbone One iPhone controller has garnered positive attention for its robust build quality and surprisingly advanced software. It has rapidly become a preferred method for mobile gaming for many users.

Today, the company announced a series of new features for its software platform. However, a key change accompanies these improvements: while current users will retain free access, new users will be required to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Backbone Software: A Central Gaming Hub

Backbone’s companion software functions as a comprehensive hub for the controller. It provides streamlined access to Backbone-compatible games, alongside features like cross-game voice chat, party creation, and gameplay clip capture and sharing.

Several new functionalities are being introduced to enhance the user experience. Details regarding the updated feature set can be found in the company’s official blog post, but a concise overview is provided below.

• Users can now establish a wired connection between the Backbone One and other devices – including iPads, Macs, and PCs – for control functionality.
• Video recording quality has been upgraded from 1080p at 30 FPS to 1080p at 60 FPS on devices running iOS 15 or later.
• A toggleable “Smart Recording” feature enables retroactive recording of the preceding 15 seconds of gameplay.
• Integrated Twitch streaming support allows for easy broadcasting of mobile gaming sessions.
• On iOS 15, the controller can be configured to automatically activate gaming focus mode upon connection, silencing non-essential notifications.
• Screen sharing directly with friends in parties is now possible, offering a more intimate live streaming option.
• Improvements have been made to game search functionality, as well as overall load times and system stability.

Subscription Model for New Users

With these enhancements, Backbone will implement a subscription fee for access to the companion app – but only for those who are new to the platform. Existing Backbone One owners will continue to enjoy free access to the app and its services, now branded as “Backbone+,” for the foreseeable future.

New users will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Backbone+, after which the service will cost approximately $50 annually. According to Backbone CEO Maneet Khaira, the controller will remain fully functional without a subscription, and firmware updates will still be available through the app.