Spine One overview: case pleasant and ergonomic
Spine One neatly refined its iPhone controller with higher ergonomics and magnetic adapters for an improved match, however competitors is fierce, making the $100 controller a harder promote.
I like Spine One for its minimal design and portability. The Lightning model saved a spot in my gaming gear till USB-C iPhones took over.
After I reviewed the first Backbone One in 2020, it was a superb entry into an area that appeared prefer it had fallen off. At this time, Spine has to cope with a lot stronger competitors from corporations like Gamesir, Gamevice, and Razer.
Regardless of all of this elevated competitors, I imagine Backbone One has struck a stable stability in measurement and have set. The Spine app is a great addition and is best executed than others.
I am proud of the second-generation Spine One, however it could have performed too protected at this value level. This is how the options break down.
Spine One overview — design
Of the favored choices, Spine One is definitely the smallest and most transportable. Positive, some rivals have the choice of collapsing the controller right into a smaller sq. form, however these are so cumbersome that it is not likely space-saving.
Spine One overview: a compact gaming choice with a well-recognized structure
Spine One is sufficiently small that I’ve discovered myself carrying it in my again pocket or jacket pocket and not using a second thought. Its measurement is a giant power.
As soon as iPhone 15 went all-in on USB-C, it was clear accent makers would must be fast. Spine One and others prefer it already had Android variations accessible, however Spine did one higher and launched an improved second technology in Lightning and USB-C earlier in 2024.
Not like some producers that chase radical designs and flashy lights, Spine saved it easy. The brand new mannequin is sort of an identical, however edges look smoothed out and the grip is total extra comfy.
The D-pad has been redesigned, however in any other case, the buttons really feel the identical as earlier than. The inserted iPhone feels way more secure than earlier than, thanks primarily to the brand new adapter system.
Just like the earlier mannequin, clients can select between a black colorway with Xbox-like A, B, X, and Y face buttons and a white colorway with PlayStation insignia. There’s a new black or white carrying case as nicely.
Magnetic adapters for match
One of many largest issues with recreation controller grips just like the Spine One was how actual the design was. Controller makers designed the gadgets to precisely match an iPhone or related sized smartphone with little or no wiggle room.
Spine One overview: small and medium instances match effective
It was an expectation that customers would wish to take away any type of case as a way to use the controller. That has been considerably alleviated.
The Gamevice Flex I reviewed put loads of house within the grips for as much as a major case thickness and included adapters to raised grip thinner instances or the cellphone itself. Spine One has performed related issues however on a smaller scale.
The empty controller is at its widest setting. I do not personal any extremely thick instances like an Otterbox Defender, however I can say these would not match anyway.
Of the entire instances I examined from Pitaka, Nomad, and Shiftcam, all of them may match within the Spine One. A Spigen particular version that appears like a Bondi blue iMac G3 did not match, however not due to thickness, as a result of the port could not attain the connector lengthwise.
Spine One overview: extra stability due to magnetic inserts
There are two magnetic adapters included, small and enormous. The big adapter is the one you’d use should you go caseless together with your iPhone. Not even my Nomad leather-based magnetic pores and skin may match on this exact adapter.
The small adapter is sweet for all small to medium-sized instances. The thickness ought to be minimal, nearly including nothing to the iPhone.
Having no adapter permits for a lot of common measurement instances to suit. At this level, it’s purely depending on the general thickness of the again facet of the case and the rim on the USB-C port.
Particularly thick and protecting instances will not work with the Spine One. One thing just like the Gamevice Flex can accommodate thicker instances, however not a lot thicker, and it means the controller itself is thicker, too.
The magnetic inserts are a intelligent concept. Theoretically you may solely have to cope with them one time when figuring out which one you would possibly want, after that, simply slip the cellphone in and play.
Spine One overview — options
Function clever, the Spine One hasn’t modified a bit. It nonetheless has the identical face buttons, shoulder buttons, and app launcher.
Spine One overview: USB-C out to a Mac or iPad
The rear spring mechanism feels extra sturdy, however which may be a placebo. In any case, the iPhone feels extra sturdy and safe within the grips than earlier than.
The 4 buttons throughout the underside of the controllers are mapped primarily based on system capabilities. The ellipsis button can mute the microphone in some multiplayer video games or be used as a begin/choose button in others.
The button with an open sq. is a screenshot or display recording button. Screenshots are carried out by urgent and holding the button, which then saves the picture to your picture library.
The display recording perform is a bit odd and defaults the identical as I reported within the unique overview. It begins recording with a press and stops recording with one other press, nevertheless, customers can now swap this perform from the Spine app controller settings.
Spine One overview: a devoted app launcher button
The recording is saved to a folder within the Spine app the place the consumer can share the video or put it aside to their picture library. The spotlight function, the place the video will be uploaded and shared through a hyperlink, continues to be current.
Keep in mind, because the Spine One is utilizing the system display recording perform, any notification or different exercise proven on the show will present up within the video.
On the precise controller, there’s a hamburger button that’s used as an choices or menu button throughout most apps. Lastly, there’s the orange Spine button, which nearly at all times launches the Spine app.
In case you are utilizing the Ps Distant Play app, it might act because the PS button when held down.
Having a shortcut to the Spine app constructed into the controller is a daring transfer. It means the Spine app must earn that premium location, particularly one that may typically be unintentionally pressed on account of its proximity to the joystick.
Spine app and software program
The Spine app stays central to the controller expertise, although different iPhone controller makers have taken an identical strategy. I am not a giant fan of turning a utility like a recreation launcher right into a social media consumer, however it’s clearly in style amongst some customers.
Spine One overview: handle button choices and recorded movies within the app
You are in a position to ignore the social features fully and simply launch a recreation. Nevertheless, you are eliminating 80% of the app performance by doing that.
Spine takes a distinct strategy than an organization like PlayStation. The highest menu on the PS5 is all about launching video games, with submenus devoted to social and discovery.
The highest row for lately performed video games appears like the one a part of the app I exploit. Each row after that’s auto-playing movies, adverts for different video games and platforms, and social choices.
Spine One overview: ‘Murderer’s Creed’ acknowledges the controller
Whereas it could not enchantment to me, it could be helpful to some. Additionally, as I stated, you’ll be able to ignore every thing, together with the app itself, and simply play video games.
My points with the app I discussed within the first overview nonetheless persist however have lessened considerably. Apple’s introduction of Focus Modes permits me to design my very own House Display recreation launchers, and display recording can mechanically allow Do Not Disturb with a Shortcut.
The Spine+ subscription allows higher-resolution display seize and video add with shareable hyperlinks by the app, plus the sport hub capabilities talked about earlier than. For those who bought the unique Spine earlier than the service launched, you do not have to pay, however in any other case, it is an as much as $49 per 12 months service on prime of the already dear controller.
Peak transportable gaming
There’s lots to like about Spine One. It is well-designed and ergonomic regardless of being smaller and thinner than rivals.
Spine One overview: an optimum but costly iPhone controller
Nevertheless, its excessive value and subscription service will doubtless push clients to lower-priced options. Spine One is value the additional money for now, however the subsequent technology might want to flip up the perks to keep up the worth level.
The controller is a flexible choice due to its capability to connect with different gadgets over a cable. It’s sufficiently small to slot in a bag or pocket with out being too cumbersome.
Spine One overview — professionals
- Compact and transportable
- Ergonomic and acquainted design
- Sized for average instances
- Devoted app with recreation launcher…
Spine One overview — cons
- … however the app ought to be extra centered on launching video games than social
- Spine+ is a paid add-on for an already costly controller
- Little or no new in a aggressive house
Score: 4 out of 5
The unique Spine One acquired a 4.5, and this one acquired a 4. That is not to say the brand new mannequin is worse, however the competitors is best.
Spine wants to contemplate the way it can enhance the controller and justify the $100 value level going ahead. The Spine+ subscription feels extra like a drag on the model than it ought to be, as clients doubtless count on these options as included, not paid add-ons.
The place to purchase Spine One
