handhelds Archives

BetaBeacon

April 23, 2025

Things aren’t looking good for gaming handhelds

Anbernic has decided to suspend shipments to the U.S. due to the tariff situation, which may affect the availability of their latest gaming handheld, the RG557. Other companies like AYANEO and OneXSugar have also announced new devices, but it is uncertain if they will be available in the U.S. due to the tariffs. Consumers may have to pay higher prices if they are able to find these devices in the U.S. market.

Winsage

April 21, 2025

Microsoft is finally making the Start menu better — now fix these 5 things, too

Users have expressed frustration with the restrictive Start menu in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10, prompting some to seek third-party solutions. A newly discovered Start menu design is larger, allows immediate access to the full list of applications, and offers the option to remove the Recommended section. Microsoft's inclusion of Clipchamp as a video editing tool is seen as a step forward, but it lacks features compared to Apple’s iMovie and operates as a web-based application. Widgets in Windows 11 are not well-received due to their isolated interface, and integrating them onto the desktop could improve accessibility. The gaming experience on Windows remains subpar, particularly in navigation with a gamepad, and Windows Search directs users to Bing and Edge, limiting browser choices. The initial setup process for Windows 11 is cumbersome, with numerous prompts for Microsoft services, leading to a frustrating experience.

BetaBeacon

April 18, 2025

The AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is everything I wanted the Game Boy Micro to be

The AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is a modern handheld device inspired by the Game Boy Micro, featuring a premium metal body, large shoulder buttons, and a 3.5-inch IPS display perfect for GBA emulation. It runs on Android 13 and is powered by a Helio G99 SoC, allowing it to emulate some PS2 titles. The device is designed for discerning gamers and is priced starting at 9.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

TOS 6 in public preview for ARM shows we’re going to see many more NAS

Tailscale simplifies remote access to self-hosted services for home lab enthusiasts by eliminating the complexities of port forwarding and CGNAT issues. Nintendo's Switch 2 pricing strategy has faced backlash, while Sony has raised PlayStation 5 prices in Europe for both digital and disc editions. Microsoft removed the seconds display from the Windows 10 taskbar clock, prompting user dissatisfaction as part of a strategy to encourage upgrades to Windows 11. Windows 11 is set to receive a redesigned Start menu with features based on user feedback, although the implementation delay raises concerns. Google's phone app has improved spam filtering, particularly noted in regions like Portugal, despite occasional notification delays. Nvidia's upcoming RTX 5060 series shows promising thermal performance, but pricing details are still unclear. Beginners in 3D printing can benefit from using tree supports for intricate models to enhance the printing process. Discussions around effective backup strategies are crucial for data security, especially highlighted by World Backup Day. The General Purpose Media Interface (GPMI) introduced at CES 2025 may change A/V connectivity standards, particularly in China, while its adoption in Western markets is uncertain. The PocketCloud NAS features a docking station with an M.2 SSD slot, allowing for versatile data storage solutions.

BetaBeacon

April 13, 2025

A chance conversation with a retro game store owner forever changed my views on emulation

The owner of a retro game store is not opposed to emulation and believes it has had a positive impact on retro gaming by helping people discover games they otherwise would not have played. Many customers of the store also emulate games, even those they purchase from the store, as it offers benefits like save states and improved framerates. Emulation has actually grown the owner's market as it creates a steady pipeline of people interested in retro games, leading them to collect physical games and memorabilia from the store. The owner emphasizes that the most important thing is to enjoy games, whether through original systems or emulation.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Lilbits: Microsoft Recall, more tariff-related pricing uncertainty, and Samsung’s Ball-shaped robot

Microsoft's Recall software, initially unveiled nearly a year ago as part of Copilot+ PCs, aims to simplify the retrieval of past activities by capturing snapshots for natural language searches. The rollout was postponed due to privacy and security concerns but has since begun with a preview version for select Windows Insiders and is expanding to the Release Preview Channel. Users can opt-in to this feature. DroiX will no longer prepay taxes at checkout for U.S. customers due to fluctuating tariffs. MediaTek has launched the Dimensity 9400+, a flagship processor with improved CPU speeds and AI performance. Motorola is set to release its first laptop, the Moto Book 60, in India on April 17. Samsung plans to launch its Ballie rolling robot in the U.S. and South Korea this summer and is partnering with Google to integrate Gemini AI features.

BetaBeacon

April 11, 2025

Razer ‘Remote Play’ brings PC games to your Android device, but without the black bars

Razer's "PC Remote Play" service allows for streaming PC games to Android devices at the native screen resolution, eliminating black bars that often surround gameplay.

BetaBeacon

April 4, 2025

Nintendo made its own Switch emulator… for the Nintendo Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 will use emulation to achieve backwards compatibility with original Switch games.

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

April 3, 2025

Windows 8 tiles were ahead of their time — The Xbox handheld could be the perfect place for a similar interface

Microsoft plans to launch its next-generation Xbox hardware, including an Xbox handheld device, in 2027. The handheld is expected to be more integrated with Windows, potentially using a design similar to the "Metro" interface from Windows Phone and Windows 8. This new approach aims to streamline game development by aligning Xbox consoles more closely with Windows, allowing for easier porting of PC games. The design of the handheld is still in development, with a focus on comfort and functionality, and it will need to compete with other devices like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. The operating system will play a crucial role in user experience, with a simpler interface being a priority to enhance accessibility for gamers.