- Remote gaming allows players to play PC games from their couch by connecting their phone to their gaming PC with DeskIn.
- Remote gaming also allows players to continue their gaming streak while traveling or on a business trip by remotely accessing their home PC.
- DeskIn's screen mirroring function allows players to project their mobile games onto a big screen without the need for emulators.
- Remote gaming with DeskIn offers low latency, customizable controls, and support for Bluetooth controllers.
- DeskIn is compared to Parsec and offers features such as high frame rates, low latency, virtual keyboard, controller support, and multi-language support.
- Android 17 will introduce a game controller remapping feature
- The feature will allow users to customize inputs for buttons and directional sticks on compatible gamepads
- The remapping feature will change which key code or axis value is sent to Android games when a button is pressed
- Google has time to enhance the feature before the Android 17 update next year
Developers are now required to register their applications before users can sideload them on Android devices, a change aimed at reducing malware risks associated with unverified apps. This policy is particularly significant for Android TV users who often rely on sideloading for niche utilities and unofficial streaming tools. The risk of malware is reportedly 50 times higher when apps are installed from outside the Play Store. Google has promised to create a workflow for experienced users to sideload unverified apps despite the new restrictions.
Sideloading allows users to install apps not available on the Play Store, but it comes with increased risks of data-stealing malware. Users can sideload apps by transferring APK files to their devices and adjusting settings to allow installations from unknown sources.
SmartTube TV is an unofficial YouTube client that offers an ad-free experience and integrates features like SponsorBlock, but it violates YouTube's Terms of Service. Aptoide TV is a community-driven app marketplace that provides access to apps not available on the Play Store, though caution is advised due to potential malware risks. Leanback Launcher is an open-source launcher that enhances performance and customization options for Android TV. RetroArch allows users to emulate classic gaming consoles and requires legal copies of games. Syncler organizes and streams shows and movies from user-selected providers without hosting content itself. AdAway is an open-source ad blocker that filters ads at the device level using host files.
The selection of these apps focuses on enhancing the Android TV experience through performance improvements, user-friendly interfaces, and a range of categories including streaming, gaming, customization, and privacy.
Android is working on a new feature for Android 17 that will allow users to remap controllers at the system level, providing a native controller area in Settings. This feature will also include a "virtual gamepad" that can map physical buttons to touch regions in games that do not have native controller support. This new feature aims to provide consistency for clip-on controllers, Android handhelds, cloud gaming players, Android TV boxes, laptops, and improve accessibility for players who rely on remapping buttons for gameplay.
Android treats USB or Bluetooth gaming controllers as input devices, translating button presses into key codes and axis values for in-game actions. Android relies on predefined configuration files for popular controllers, but many niche peripherals are also compatible. Android does not support button remapping out of the box, but evidence suggests that a future version of Android, possibly Android 17, will bring native controller remapping. This feature will be restricted to apps signed with the platform key. Additionally, a new game controller menu within the Settings app and a virtual gamepad feature have been discovered, which could allow for button remapping and mapping on-screen touch controls to physical controller inputs.
Valve is set to launch the Steam Machine and Steam Controller in early 2026. The Steam Machine is a compact PC running on a Linux-based SteamOS, featuring a customizable design, USB-A port, microSD card slot, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and Ethernet ports. It is powered by a “semi-custom AMD Zen 4” CPU, “semi-custom AMD RDNA3” GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, with storage options of 512GB or 2TB SSD. It offers approximately six times the performance of the Steam Deck, enabling 4K gaming at 60 FPS. The Steam Controller is a wireless device that replicates the Steam Deck's control methods, featuring sticks, buttons, triggers, trackpads, and gyro controls, with Bluetooth and wired connectivity. It allows for customizable input methods for each game and is compatible with any device running Steam. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but they are expected to be competitive with equivalent PCs and gaming controllers.
There are two main types of mobile gaming controllers: grip and standard. Grip controllers are designed to be more portable while providing a familiar gaming experience with physical buttons, joysticks, and triggers. Standard gaming controllers, like those used with Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo consoles, can also be used with mobile devices.
A significant update for Windows 11 version 24H2 is available for participants in the Windows Insider Program’s Dev and Beta channels. The cumulative update KB5060824 is rolling out for the Dev channel, upgrading systems to build 26200.5641, while the Beta channel receives cumulative update KB5060820, upgrading to build 26120.4250. Key features of the update include:
- A redesigned Start menu with in-place scrolling, two new views (Category and Grid), dynamic resizing for "Pinned" and "Recommended" sections, and improved customization options.
- An optimized Phone companion pane that integrates with the Phone Link feature, featuring an expand/collapse button.
- Customization options for the Lock screen, allowing users to select and order displayed widgets.
- A new Screen Curtain feature in Narrator that blackens the display for privacy, along with a modernized onboarding experience.
- Consolidation of all Windows Search settings into a single location within the Settings app under Privacy & security > Search.
- Enhancements to the Windows Touch Keyboard, including a refined Gamepad layout, flyout menus, word suggestions, language switching, and a new PIN sign-in option for the Lock screen tailored for gaming controllers.
