abxylute S9 vs Backbone One vs GameSir X5 Lite: Which Phone Controller Should You Buy?
I own all three, so I tested them side by side: price, iPad mini fit, weight, grips, D-pads and extras, and why the abxylute S9 is my pick.
Hands-on
Hands-on
The gear I actually had in my hands. First looks, reviews, and what I ended up thinking.
Nothing matches that yet.
NYXI Hyperion 3 Ultra for Switch 2: Everything Fixed but the Price
I returned the regular NYXI Hyperion 3 and paid $160 for the Ultra. It fixes everything the first one lacked, but Mobapad’s prices make it a hard sell.
ModRetro Chromatic First Impressions: Louder, Brighter and Clickier Than My Game Boy Color
My transparent red ModRetro Chromatic next to my original Game Boy Color: the screen, the speaker, the buttons, what it plays and how it compares with the Analogue Pocket.
GameSir X5 Lite for XBOX: A $45 Phone Controller That Fits My Case
GameSir’s $45 Xbox-licensed phone controller fits my phone with its case on, stretches to an iPad mini, and finally has analog triggers.
KONKR Pocket Advance First Impressions: Pixel-Perfect GBA for $129
My first 45 minutes with the KONKR Pocket Advance, AYANEO’s $129 GBA-style Android handheld: the screen, the buttons, AYASpace and what it plays.
abxylute N6 vs Mobapad M12 HD: The $60 One Is Winning, So Far
First impressions of the abxylute N6 deck and the Mobapad M12 HD Joy-Cons on Switch 2: protocol, back buttons, sticks, rumble, weight and price.
Analogue 3D vs ModRetro M64: Two N64 Consoles, Nearly Equal
I own both FPGA N64 consoles. After a year of updates they play cartridges about equally well, so price, features and looks decide it.
Gears of War: E-Day Xbox Controller: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition controller is a beautifully made standard Xbox controller. Is the design worth $90?
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Unboxing: What Changed From the Ultra 2
The Ultra 4 looks almost identical to the Ultra 2. The upgrade is inside: a new heart sensor, 14 more hours of battery, 5G and satellite messaging.
My “New” CRKD Nitro Deck 2 Arrived Covered in Dust
My “new” CRKD Nitro Deck 2 arrived covered in dust. Underneath, it gets the grip and adjustable sticks right, with real compromises: the clamp, no amiibo and weak default rumble.
Steam Deck vs ROG Ally vs Legion Go 2 vs X2 Mini Pro: 4 games, 3 power levels
Four handhelds, four games and three power settings. Where extra power helped, where it barely moved the needle, and where the original ROG Ally ran into trouble.
OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro Unboxing: A Strong First Look With One Complaint
An OLED screen, clicky controls and plenty to tinker with. The X2 Mini Pro makes a strong first impression, with one complaint about how a $2,400 handheld feels.
NYXI Hyperion 3 for Switch 2: More Grip, Clicky Buttons
The NYXI Hyperion 3 gives the Switch 2 larger grips, clicky microswitch buttons and a magnetic fit.
When an AI Assistant Takes Permission for Granted
OpenAI disclosed cases where AI agents uploaded files without asking. What those incidents mean for the access given to everyday AI assistants.
Unboxing the ModRetro M64: Another Way to Play N64 Cartridges
The ModRetro M64 is an FPGA console for original Nintendo 64 cartridges. Here is what comes in the box, how it compares with the Analogue 3D, and how it works with the SummerCart64.
OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro Review: A $2,400 Handheld Against the $1,300 Legion Go 2
The OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro costs about $1,100 more than my Legion Go 2. In my hands the gap is small; at up to 80 W on a TV, its extra power pays off.
$400 vs $2,400 Handhelds: When More Power Stops Mattering
The Legion Go 2 remains the primary handheld in a four-device setup, while the $2,400 OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro stays docked at the TV, where its extra power gets used. The comparison asks how much handheld performance a player actually needs.
UniFi Express 7: Expanding Wi-Fi Without Running Cable
I meshed the UniFi Express 7 to my existing U7 Pro with no new cable. Here’s the setup, specs, price and how it compares.