Microsoft Brings Designed for Xbox Mobile Accessories to iPhone

Microsoft today announced that it is expanding its Designed for Xbox mobile accessory certification program to include those made for iPhones.

“Last September, we expanded our Designed for Xbox licensed accessories into mobile gaming alongside the launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) on Android with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate,” Microsoft’s Scott Weber writes. “Today we’re announcing the expansion of our Designed for Xbox mobile gaming accessories to iOS devices.”

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New iPhone-compatible Designed for Xbox mobile accessories include:

Backbone One. The Backbone One for Xbox is compatible with all iPhone models with iOS 13 or later. Backbone One was designed to preserve battery life and reduce input latency by harnessing iPhone-exclusive technology, requiring no charging while enabling incredibly responsive gaming. It costs $99 and is available now from the Microsoft Store.

Razer Kishi Universal Gaming Controller for iOS. The Kishi Universal Gaming Controller fits most iPhones and offers an ergonomic design with clickable analog thumbsticks, ultra-low latency gameplay, and a lightning port for charging the iPhone while in you play. It is available for pre-order today and will $99 USD from Razer and other select retailers worldwide.

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Conversation 11 comments

  • waethorn

    29 June, 2021 - 1:00 am

    <p>How do games fit on the weird aspect ratios of phones? Pillar-boxing?</p>

    • whistlerpro

      29 June, 2021 - 3:50 am

      <p>The same as othere 16:9 content, with black bars on the side.</p>

  • nbplopes

    29 June, 2021 - 4:33 am

    <p>The Backbone was released in 2020. I believe that Kishi was even prior to that. </p><p><br></p><p>Just marketing.</p>

  • skyczy08

    29 June, 2021 - 8:07 am

    <p>I just cant get past the lag, but I’m an older guy now. Younger kids won’t care about lag?</p>

    • skyczy08

      29 June, 2021 - 8:07 am

      <p>I should note that I am on a 1GB Fiber line in Canada</p>

      • waethorn

        29 June, 2021 - 8:01 pm

        <p>Gigabit (Gb). A capital B is for Bytes. </p>

  • JE

    29 June, 2021 - 8:40 am

    <p>I tested an android device using 5G rather than wireless and the lag was almost imperceptible. It’s impressive.</p><p>As an iPhone user I’ve been waiting for this. Now I need to decide between these two contraptions… any suggestions?</p>

    • mikentosh

      Premium Member
      29 June, 2021 - 9:18 am

      <p>I purchased and love the Backbone for my iPhone and I love it. It works great. Just my opinion. Brad Sams really liked it, too. </p>

      • JE

        29 June, 2021 - 5:18 pm

        <p>Great yep I’m leaning towards this one</p>

  • waethorn

    29 June, 2021 - 8:03 pm

    <p>If they don’t screw up the marketing on this (a big if), Microsoft can market this as a step up from Apple Arcade for users that want to play console triple-A titles.</p>

    • vladimir

      Premium Member
      01 July, 2021 - 7:26 am

      <p>the problem is that triple-A titles are really difficult to play on a smartphone screen. The real estate is just too little for complex UIs. I thought this was due to my age and relatively problematic eyesight but my children tell me exactly the same thing :-)</p>

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