backward compatibility Archives

BetaBeacon

May 15, 2025

This Dreamcast memory card can emulate Game Boy games

8BitMods has released the VMU Pro for the Sega Dreamcast, which is a handheld emulation machine for 8-bit games. It offers full backward compatibility, supports microSD cards up to 2TB, and features built-in emulators for popular consoles.

AppWizard

May 11, 2025

This new requirement for Android apps is something we need, even if it’s not sexy

Google has announced that all Android applications will be required to support 16 KB page sizes starting November 1st, 2025. This change aims to enhance system efficiency and performance by allowing better resource allocation and reducing memory management tasks. Memory management units operate on a page size basis, and increasing the page size fourfold will streamline processes and improve user experience. All new apps and updates targeting Android 15+ devices must comply with this requirement.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you’re pirating games or modifying the console

Nintendo has updated its online user agreement, allowing the company to make a console "permanently unusable" if a user violates the agreement. The revised End User License Agreement (EULA) includes extensive restrictions on actions such as publishing, modifying, or distributing Nintendo Account Services, as well as using unauthorized copies. The EULA also places responsibility on legal guardians for minors and emphasizes that users do not own their games outright but merely license them. Concerns about backward compatibility and potential service discontinuation for the upcoming Switch 2 have emerged, alongside a growing preference among gamers for more control over their gaming experiences.

Winsage

May 10, 2025

Huawei’s HarmonyOS Takes On Windows 11 with Enhanced UI and Performance — But Deprived of App Sideloading & Backward Compatibility

Huawei has introduced HarmonyOS Next, its latest operating system for consumer laptops, designed exclusively for modern laptop models and lacking backward compatibility with older devices. The OS features AI-driven functionality through Celia, Huawei's AI assistant, and comes pre-installed with essential applications like WPS Office. Visually, it resembles Apple's macOS, including a software shortcut bar at the bottom of the screen. HarmonyOS Next restricts sideloading applications, requiring users to access software through Huawei's native "App Gallery," a strategy aimed at reducing reliance on Western software among Chinese consumers.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Exploring ChromeOS – A New Era In Android App Support

ChromeOS has introduced significant enhancements, particularly in Android app support, improving functionality and integration. The latest updates include upgraded Bluetooth technologies, improved content search capabilities, and the integration of Android 11 changes using virtual machines for better app performance. The initiative "Start building apps for ChromeOS" provides guidance for developers to optimize applications for these devices. Accessibility features like Face Control, Bounce Keys, and Slow Keys have been added to assist users with various needs. Security improvements include theft detection and quick locking, while usability enhancements like Fast Pair simplify device connections. Recent updates also focus on integration and compatibility with existing file systems and support for Android and Linux applications, aiming to create a cohesive ecosystem.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Code Smell 298 – How to Fix Microsoft Windows Time Waste

Conditional logic in software development can obscure critical signals, leading to issues such as user delays, poor experiences, unpredictable timeouts, incomplete initialization, hidden dependencies, policy mismanagement, silent failures, and backward compatibility breaks. Solutions include validating all code paths, utilizing default reporting mechanisms, conducting rigorous edge case testing, refactoring policy checks early, implementing performance tests, and positioning reports outside of conditionals. A specific example is provided where Windows 7 had slower login times due to a failure to signal readiness when users selected a solid color background instead of a wallpaper image. This oversight resulted in a 30-second wait instead of a 5-second login process. Effective software design requires consideration of all potential code paths to avoid technical debt and performance issues. Static analysis tools can help identify critical reporting calls guarded by conditionals, and code reviews should ensure all initialization paths signal completion. The correspondence between real-world states and program states is crucial for maintaining user trust in the system. AI generators may inadvertently introduce issues by wrapping legacy code in conditionals without validating all paths.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Microsoft resets ‘days since last Windows 11 problem’ to 0

Microsoft has implemented a compatibility hold for Windows 11 24H2 affecting devices using the sprotect.sys driver from SenseShield Technology, which is crucial for encryption protection in enterprise security software. This hold impacts all versions of the sprotect.sys driver, specifically versions 1.0.2.372 and 1.0.3.48903, causing potential disruptions such as unresponsiveness and black or blue screen errors. Users are advised not to force the Windows 11 24H2 update until the issue is resolved, and Microsoft is collaborating with SenseShield to investigate the problem. Additionally, Microsoft has previously issued holds for other issues related to Dirac Audio enhancement technology and AutoCAD 2022, raising concerns about the compatibility and stability of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10.

BetaBeacon

April 4, 2025

This is how Nintendo aims to stop Switch 2 emulation on Android

Nintendo Switch 2 will not be compatible with original Switch games at a hardware level due to different architecture. Nintendo is using a method called "Game Key Card" where users will insert the game cartridge and wait for the game to be downloaded from the cloud. This method is aimed at preventing or slowing down Switch 2 emulation.

Winsage

March 27, 2025

Looking back at Windows Longhorn

Retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer discussed the Windows Longhorn project, which aimed to succeed Windows XP but faced significant challenges. Longhorn was envisioned to overhaul the user experience and introduce features like WinFS for content-based file searching. However, the simultaneous development of many new features led to a fragile and bloated codebase, making it difficult to use in daily operations. A 2002 memo from Bill Gates prioritizing security diverted resources from Longhorn, further complicating development. Ultimately, in August 2004, Microsoft scrapped the existing Longhorn codebase in favor of the Windows Server 2003 SP1 codebase, integrating select Longhorn features. The project resulted in Windows Vista, which retained some Longhorn features while discarding others. Plummer reflected on the mixed legacy of Longhorn, acknowledging its failures and the lessons learned that shaped Microsoft's future practices.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

3 times Microsoft has tried (and failed) to reinvent PC gaming

Microsoft has faced criticism from the PC gaming community due to frequent Windows updates causing crashes and altering features. The Universal Windows Platform (UWP), introduced in the mid-2010s to unify operating systems, faced backlash from gamers for restricting access to game files and complicating third-party software use. Many developers bypassed UWP, leading Microsoft to reintroduce Win32 games by 2019. DirectX 10 was exclusive to Windows Vista, resulting in only 87 games being developed for it due to the unpopularity of Vista and lack of backward compatibility. Games for Windows Live (GFWL) aimed to bring Xbox Live to PC but became frustrating due to its closed ecosystem, leading to accessibility issues and unplayable titles after server shutdowns. Microsoft has since improved the gaming experience on Windows, focusing on user choice and compatibility, with features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage integrated into Windows 11.