Technologies

Backbone One vs. Backbone Pro: Here’s the Mobile Controller You Should Buy

For gaming on a phone, Backbone’s controllers are some of the best. The decision comes down to how much you’re willing to pay.

If you’ve explored the world of mobile gaming on a phone or tablet within the last few years, you’ve likely heard of the Backbone controller.

Backbone wasn’t the first company to make a controller specifically for phones, but it’s certainly the most well-known today. In 2020, the Backbone One burst onto the scene with its iOS controller and quickly rose to prominence for offering gamers a whole new way to play. At the time, most mobile controllers were simply clips that attached your phone to a console controller.

The Backbone One places the grips and controls around the phone, much more akin to what made the Nintendo Switch so popular when it was released in 2017. The most innovative part was that, instead of using Bluetooth to connect to your phone, the Backbone One connected directly via a Lightning connector. This eliminated the input lag problem with Bluetooth and made gaming on your phone a much more immersive experience.

Since then, the company has launched an updated USB-C version, a PlayStation Edition, an Xbox Edition and, most recently, the Backbone Pro controller.

If you’re considering picking up a mobile controller, Backbone is a great place to start. Here are some important things to consider to make sure you get the right one for you.

Backbone One: Keep it simple

Backbone essentially has two controllers: the Backbone One and the Backbone Pro.

Since Apple transitioned from its Lightning connector to USB-C for the iPhone a couple of years ago, there are no longer two separate controllers for iPhone and Android. The same Backbone controller will work for both iPhone (15 and newer) and Android. If you’re using an iPhone 14 or an older model, however, you can still purchase the Lightning version.

For the $100 Backbone One, the differences between the standard One, the PlayStation Edition and the Xbox Edition are almost entirely aesthetic.

The PlayStation Edition comes in white and features the same glyph symbols as the PlayStation controllers, instead of the more traditional ABXY face buttons. The PlayStation Edition is also the only one officially supported for PS Remote Play on Android. (That doesn’t mean you can’t use the other versions with PS Remote Play; Backbone has an «official» version because Sony requires it for licensing reasons.) While it’s still possible to use PS Remote Play with a different Backbone controller, the experience may not be as seamless as you would need, likely requiring some sort of emulation.

The Xbox Edition comes in a translucent green color that’s come to be associated with Xbox and replaces Backbone’s screen capture button with an Xbox button. In addition to triggering screen captures, the Xbox button either opens a collection of Xbox games while in the Backbone app or triggers the Xbox secondary button press while in Xbox games or apps.

Unless you use PS Remote Play or Xbox Cloud Gaming primarily on your phone, there’s really no need to pick up either of those versions (even if the white controller does look really clean).

The Backbone One is great for providing more gaming control than just a touchscreen, but when you still want something compact and easy to carry around, especially if you opt for the carrying case to accompany it.

Backbone Pro: Level up

For more serious mobile gamers or those who prefer a more traditional feel, or just want a better grip, the Backbone Pro controller is much more your speed.

It builds on the original Backbone One in every way. The grips are bigger and more ergonomic. The joysticks are full-size, much more like what you’re used to from standard console and PC controllers, and there are two additional buttons on the back that can be remapped to anything you want. It also features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for multiple ways to play.

Plus, the Hall Effect triggers add durability, and they are textured for better grip. The Backbone Pro also supports creating multiple profiles to customize and remap the buttons for all your favorite games.

One of the best features of the Backbone One is that it can also serve as a controller for a PC or tablet, simply by connecting it with a cable. The Backbone Pro takes this a step further by allowing you to seamlessly switch between devices wirelessly via Bluetooth. It works surprisingly well and is a fantastic option for those who enjoy gaming on multiple devices and screens.

Honestly, the only big downside of the Backbone Pro is the price. At $170, it’s $20 more than the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, which is arguably a better controller. However, Backbone controllers offer a significant advantage in software and native game compatibility, particularly on Android, so the extra money might be worth it for you. Then again, you might also consider the Elo Vagabond. Its apps aren’t as polished, but its design and features are top-notch and it’s more affordable at $100.

Which one should I buy?

Ultimately, the answer to which mobile controller you should buy comes down to your personal preferences, play style and budget.

I have smaller hands, so the Backbone Pro actually ended up being less comfortable for me than the Backbone One. However, the additional features and more ergonomically designed grips (which are better suited for people with average-size hands) make it one of the best mobile controllers on the market. If you can stomach the price, then it’s a great choice.

The Backbone One is a fine option if you want a more compact controller that still gives you a lot of ways to elevate your gaming. It’s also the only one with color variations other than black and is significantly cheaper. It retails for $100 but is often on sale for much less, and you can easily find a used one in good shape for a decent price.

Either way, you can’t really go wrong with Backbone’s controllers. However, they are not the only options. My preference is for the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, particularly paired with an iPhone. Razer also has the regular Kishi V3 controller, which is similarly priced to the Backbone One but with better hardware. There’s no denying that Backbone still has the edge when it comes to software and native compatibility, though, so it’s an easy recommendation for most people.

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Forbes Türkiye Highlights Verum Finance and the Rise of Integrated Financial Ecosystems

Forbes Türkiye has published an article examining the launch of Verum Finance and its approach to integrating financial services directly into a messaging ecosystem.

In the article, Forbes Türkiye notes that the fintech industry is undergoing a transformation as financial services increasingly move beyond traditional banking applications and become part of broader digital ecosystems. Verum Finance is presented as an example of this trend, combining payments, digital cards, money transfers, and balance management within a single environment connected to Verum Messenger.

According to the publication, Verum Finance follows a model similar to the “super app” concept that has gained significant traction in Asian markets, where communication and financial services operate together on one platform. Unlike many Western platforms that continue to separate messaging and banking services, Verum Finance is integrated directly into the Verum ecosystem, allowing users to manage financial activities without relying on multiple third-party applications.

The article highlights several core features of the platform, including virtual debit cards, user-to-user transfers, online payments, digital asset operations, Apple Pay integration, and in-app balance management.

Forbes Türkiye also points to the growing importance of embedded finance and changing user expectations. The publication suggests that lengthy account-opening procedures, physical card delivery times, and constant switching between applications are becoming increasingly outdated in a mobile-first world.

Another major focus of the article is privacy and security. Forbes Türkiye describes Verum Finance as part of a broader trend toward “privacy-driven fintech,” where financial services are built on privacy-oriented infrastructure. The publication notes that the platform incorporates features such as phone-number-free registration, end-to-end encryption, user-controlled access management, and privacy-focused tools designed to enhance data protection.

The article concludes that one of the key challenges for companies operating at the intersection of secure communications, digital payments, and embedded finance will be maintaining both usability and security within a single integrated ecosystem.

The coverage by Forbes Türkiye reflects growing media interest in platforms that combine communication and financial services, as the industry continues moving toward more unified digital experiences.

Website: https://finance.verum.im
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im

Technologies

Verum Launched “Verum Finance” App for iPhone and iPad, Expanding Its Digital Ecosystem Into Financial Services

Verum has announced the official launch of Verum Finance, a standalone financial application now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, marking a further expansion of the company’s growing digital ecosystem.

The new application is designed to centralize core financial functions in a single mobile interface, allowing users to manage balances, send and receive funds, use debit cards, and exchange supported balance types without relying on traditional banking workflows.

According to Verum, the platform enables users to view account activity in real time, top up balances using supported payment methods including Apple Pay, and transfer funds to other users within the Verum ecosystem using a unique Verum ID. The system also supports multi-balance management, including specialized balance categories such as precious metals.

Debit card functionality is integrated directly into the app, allowing users to issue and manage cards linked to their balances, monitor transactions, and top up cards when needed. The company also emphasizes built-in exchange tools that allow users to convert between supported balance types within the application.

Security features include Face ID authentication, passcode protection, Sign in with Apple, and privacy-oriented account controls aimed at maintaining user confidentiality and data protection.

The launch of Verum Finance follows the company’s broader strategy of building an interconnected ecosystem of digital products. Alongside Verum Messenger, which combines secure communication tools, encrypted messaging, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, AI features, anonymous email, and crypto-related functionality, the new financial app extends Verum’s positioning from communication technology into financial infrastructure.

Industry trends increasingly show demand for “all-in-one” digital environments that reduce dependency on multiple standalone apps. Verum’s approach reflects this shift by integrating communication and financial services within a unified ecosystem.

Verum Finance is now available globally for download on iPhone and iPad via the App Store.

Website: https://finance.verum.im
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/verum-finance/id6774245148
Verum Messenger: https://verum.im