Threads Archives

BetaBeacon

September 9, 2026

Arm’s new CPU cores and GPUs for Android chips promise ‘desktop-class’ games, more AI power

Arm has introduced new C2-Ultra and C2-Pro CPU cores with a 15% increase in single-thread performance and 12% faster app launches. The CPUs feature local AI integration, eliminating the need for a separate NPU or TPU. The Mali G2-Ultra NX GPU offers "desktop-class" performance with AI-native graphics, delivering a 14% performance boost and supporting Unreal Engine 5 "MegaLights." These advancements will debut in Xiaomi's 18 Fold phone initially.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Sick of Sony killing physical games? Relive the glory days with a PlayStation 3 emulator that can play discs through your PC

The RPCS3 team has expanded their PlayStation 3 emulator to allow users to play PS3 discs on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, in addition to Windows. This update enables users to enjoy titles dating back to 2006 on modern hardware. Minimum specifications for a suitable PC include an Nvidia GTX 400 series or newer GPU. To set up the emulator, users need to install the RPCS3 software, download the PS3 system software, and acquire a decryption key from a community-maintained database. A Quickstart guide is available for installation, and additional resources can be found in forums and Reddit threads for troubleshooting.

AppWizard

September 7, 2026

Xbox Cloud Gaming Caps Hours: 15 for Ultimate [2026]

On September 3, 2026, Microsoft announced that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will see a shift in cloud gaming access. Starting November 2026, unlimited cloud streaming will be replaced by a tiered hour bank system: 15 hours for Ultimate, 10 for Premium, and 5 for Essential subscribers. Once a subscriber exhausts their allotted hours, they must wait for the next billing cycle or purchase additional time. This change is the most significant since the beta launch of Xbox Cloud Gaming in 2019. The announcement was made on Xbox Wire, and the new structure is reflected on Xbox’s product pages. The new tiered system introduces a scarcity model, with every paid tier now having its own cloud gaming quota. Essential subscribers, who previously had no cloud access, will now receive 5 hours per month. The pricing for the Game Pass tiers is as follows: Ultimate at .99 for 15 hours, Premium at .99 for 10 hours, and Essential at .99 for 5 hours. The free ad-supported tier remains unchanged at 5 hours per month. Microsoft's rationale for the change is based on usage data indicating that most subscribers do not heavily utilize cloud streaming, coupled with the rising costs of operating cloud gaming services. The company has stated that additional hours can be purchased once a subscriber's monthly allotment is used up, although pricing details for these add-ons have not yet been disclosed. The new hour caps will take effect in November 2026, following a shorter notice period compared to NVIDIA's GeForce NOW service, which implemented a 100-hour monthly cap earlier in 2026. The response from gaming communities has been largely negative, with concerns about the limits falling short of typical usage patterns and conflicting with the marketing of Game Pass as offering unlimited access. The introduction of hour caps could impact Game Pass's subscriber base, particularly among those who rely on cloud gaming as their primary access point. Microsoft's internal usage data will determine the extent of this impact, as the company aims to control costs without raising subscription prices.

AppWizard

September 3, 2026

Latest Android Drop connects Gemini to Find Hub, adds Keep Notes and themes to Messages

Google's latest Android feature Drop introduces enhancements aimed at improving user experience, including aesthetic and functional improvements to messaging threads and the rollout of Motion Assist dots. A key feature is the expanded functionality of Gemini for Android 16 or higher, allowing users to log locations of items without tracker tags and store this information in Find Hub. Another addition is the Guided Vision feature within Gemini Live, which aids accessibility by helping users locate objects in the camera's view and extracting difficult-to-read information, such as text in low-light conditions. Guided Vision can be accessed through system Accessibility shortcuts and the TalkBack menu, compatible with Android devices starting from Android 9 Pie.

Winsage

August 28, 2026

Windows picks the wrong CPU cores for your games, and your processor has been telling it which ones to use

Modern processors, such as those from AMD, feature distinct cores with varying capabilities, allowing them to communicate their performance potential to the operating system via the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). This enables efficient resource allocation, particularly important for gaming, where a game may rely heavily on one or two threads. While Windows generally manages CPU resources effectively, issues can arise if the firmware fails to accurately convey core capabilities, leading to performance problems. Regular BIOS updates are crucial to ensure the CPU's preferred-core hierarchy is correctly communicated. Manual core assignment is usually unnecessary and can be counterproductive, as Windows' built-in scheduling is typically sufficient for most users.

AppWizard

August 26, 2026

GBA Emulator Android: My Boy! vs John GBAC vs RetroArch

Game Boy Advance emulation on Android has gained significant traction in 2026, with key applications like My Boy! priced at .99, John GBAC receiving an update on May 19, 2026, and RetroArch enhancing its mGBA core for free use. The search term "gba emulator android" sees around 8,100 monthly searches in the U.S., reflecting a resurgence in interest, particularly among former GBA owners now in their late 20s and 30s who prefer using their smartphones for gaming. All five apps—My Boy!, GBA.emu, John GBAC, RetroArch, and Lemuroid—can run the entire GBA library at full speed on devices from the last six years. The main differences lie in software quality, including save state management, cheat code reliability, controller mapping, and update frequency. My Boy! and GBA.emu utilize cores derived from VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), while John GBAC uses a custom core, and RetroArch and Lemuroid rely on the mGBA core. In terms of features, all apps support save states, but My Boy! offers multiple named slots with thumbnail previews, while RetroArch has a more complex system. Cheat code support is available across the board, with My Boy! and GBA.emu accepting GameShark and CodeBreaker formats, and RetroArch providing a built-in cheat database. My Boy! stands out for its link-cable emulation, allowing local multiplayer connections, whereas RetroArch's netplay is designed for online gaming. All apps support external controllers, but RetroArch excels in visual enhancements with its extensive shader options. The setup process for all five apps is similar and typically takes under ten minutes. GBA ROMs are small, ranging from 4MB to 32MB, making them easy to store on modern devices without significant battery drain. Common issues include save files not loading, audio problems, and cheat codes failing to apply, with solutions often involving file management and settings adjustments. Users can migrate save files between emulators by ensuring the correct file naming and directory structure. Pros and cons of each app include: - My Boy!: Ad-free, strong multiplayer support, but lower rating and closed-source. - GBA.emu: High rating and broad support, but outdated and lacks a free trial. - John GBAC: Free and recently updated, but lower rating and ad-supported. - RetroArch: Free and feature-rich, but complex setup. - Lemuroid: User-friendly and actively maintained, but limited shader options. All five apps are legally available on Google Play, as they do not distribute copyrighted ROM files. Users are advised to source their ROMs legally, ideally by dumping from their own physical cartridges. GBA emulation remains an accessible entry point into retro gaming on Android, especially compared to more demanding systems like the PS2 or GameCube.

AppWizard

August 25, 2026

Nothing’s Android 17 update debuts this week with redesigns, new apps, 3D emoji [Gallery]

Nothing OS 5.0, based on Android 17, will begin rolling out in mid-October. Key features include a new font style, status bar animations, camera app enhancements, improved sorting in Nothing Gallery, enhanced homescreen personalization, new lockscreen clock designs, added depth in wallpapers, new widgets, a dedicated Glyph app, upgraded Bluetooth controls, and essential AI updates. The rollout will start with Phone (3) and extend to other devices, including Phone (2a) by mid-January. Open Beta builds will launch on August 26 for Phone (3), with subsequent releases for other models. Official release dates for Nothing OS 5.0 are set for various devices from mid-October to mid-January 2027.

BetaBeacon

August 24, 2026

PPSSPP vs Dolphin vs RetroArch Android: 127 Cores

PPSSPP is a dedicated PSP emulator that does not require a BIOS file to boot a game. Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii consoles and requires newer Android versions for better performance. RetroArch is a frontend that loads separate cores for different systems, offering a wide range of emulation options.

AppWizard

August 21, 2026

Pixel 11 Pro Fold is changing how I multitask on a foldable with ‘App Handles’ [Gallery]

Google has introduced a new multitasking feature called "App Handles" in the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which enhances user experience by providing a dedicated dock for floating windows. Users can drag apps to the bottom-right corner of the display to create floating windows that remain accessible while overlaying other tasks. The feature utilizes an intuitive swipe-up gesture to activate the app, allowing for easy switching between multiple apps stored in the corner. When the display is closed, apps set up as "Handles" turn into "Bubbles" on the cover display, maintaining accessibility. This functionality complements the existing side-by-side multitasking capability and offers a more organized approach to managing applications. There is potential for "App Handles" to be integrated into previous Android generations through future updates.

AppWizard

August 20, 2026

Google ‘gradually’ rolling out Android’s ‘advanced’ sideloading ahead of developer verification

Google is rolling out an “advanced” sideloading flow for Android next month, introducing a one-time, 24-hour waiting period between activating app installations from unverified developers and the actual installation. Users must enable the “Allow apps from unverified developers” setting in Developer options to engage with this feature, which includes warnings during the waiting period. Installations via ADB remain unaffected, and users can disable developer options after enabling the new feature. The rollout is supported by the “Android Developer Verifier” app and will initially launch in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, with a global rollout expected next year.