• Welcome to the Submitted Content Forum. You may use this part of the message board to submit content for reviewing before it is posted at the main site.
    • Acceptable Material
      If it is a review it has to be one of a game or emulator.
      If it is a guide/manual it has to do with emulation(how to use an emulator etc), not a game.
      New releases - Keep in mind that we check other sites regularly for those ourselves.
    • Necessary Requirements
      You may not copy content written by another person and claim it as your own. Any material found to be breaking that requirement will be removed.
    • Images
      You may use as may images as you like. At first you will have to host them to one of the many free image hosting services available. Once your material is officially posted we will copy them on the server.

Emulator Release: Speccy-Android Release News

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

The new Speccy-Android 4.1, published today, adds a bunch of high-quality picture processing effects based on the GLES2 fragment shaders:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.store.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

To enable the new effects, make sure you have "Video | Hardware Acceleration" enabled, then select scanline and/or color raster effects from the "Video" tab. Note that scanline and color raster effects can be combined.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added high-quality scanline shader effects.
* Enable "Video | Hardware Acceleration" to see new effects.
* Select scanline effect via "Video | Scanline Effect".
* Added high-quality color raster effects.
* Select raster effect via "Video | Color Mask Effect".

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

Speccy 4.1.1, a new version of my universal Sinclair ZX Spectrum Emulator, adds four different hardware scaling algorithms (EPX, EAGLE, Scale2x, 2xSAI) and four new color effects (Monochrome, Sepia, Green CRT, Amber CRT). It is now available from Google Play and other app stores:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store
http://garageresearch.store.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide

ALL CHANGES:
* Added 2xSAI, Scale2X, EPX, and EAGLE scalers using GLES2 shaders.
* Enable "Video | Hardware Acceleration" to see new scalers.
* Select your scaling algorithm via "Video | Scale Video".
* Added Monochrome, Green, Amber, and Sepia color filters.
* Select your color filter via "Video | Color Filter".
* Both shader-based and CPU-only filter algorithms are available.
* Added CPU-only Scale2X algorithm implementation.
* Renamed "Color Mask" option to "Color Filter".
* Fixed TV scanlines and raster settings.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 4.1.2 for Android today, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator. This release removes Chartboost ads from the free version, since Chartboost failed to pay for showing them, while being an eyesore to the users.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.store.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

The new release also lets you hide your screenshots from the Android Gallery. Simply go to a folder where your Spectrum software is and uncheck the "In Android Gallery" option in the File Selector. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Released free Speccy 4.1 for Windows and Linux.
* Added "In Android Gallery" option to File Selector menu.
* Uncheck it to stop Android Gallery from indexing the current folder.
* Automatically excluding /sdcard/Speccy from media indexing.
* Removed Chartboost ads from the free version (they suck and never pay anyway).

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have published free Speccy 4.1 for Windows and Linux tonight:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/

This release fixes pause handling when loading .TZX tape files and adds several CRT simulation filters. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES
* Made variable length pause work in .TZX tape loader.
* Added Scale2X scaling algorithm.
* Added Monochrome, Green, Amber, and Sepia CRT emulation.
* Added -scale2x and -raster command line options.
* Added -mono, -sepia, -green, and -amber command line options.
* EMULib-specific command line options now processed inside EMULib.
* Added "Scale2x Algorithm" and "LCD Raster" options on Windows.
* Renamed "Color Raster" menu to "Color Filter" on Windows.
* Deprecated -notv and -nolcd command line options.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 4.1.4 for Android, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This release adds CRT vignetting simulation, with the screen corners being darker than the center. Check the "Video | Apply CRT Vignette" option to enable it. Now you can also assign special functions (like freeze, restore, or fast-forward) to gamepad buttons in the "Input | Assign Special Keys". Finally, I have fixed a bunch of issues in the File Selector. See below for the complete list.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added CRT vignetting simulation effect.
* Enable "Video | Hardware Acceleration" to see new effect.
* Check "Video | Apply CRT Vignette" to enable vignetting.
* Special functions (freeze, restore, etc.) can be assigned to gamepad.
* See L1, L2, R1, R2, THUMBL, THUMBR under "Input | Assign Special Keys".
* Fixed code that selects app to run when opening a cart, tape, or disk.
* Fixed inconsistently initialized preferences.
* Fixed "Quit" option in the File Selector menu.
* Made "What's New" dialog fill the screen.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 4.1.5 for Android today, a new version of my universal Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

In this release, I have switched to the latest Android Nougat SDK, NDK v13, and the newest toolchain. Since the CLANG compiler is more strict than GCC, I had to refactor the native code to avoid additional warnings. The new Speccy runs in a split window on Nougat and will also run in freeform windows when Google enables them in the upcoming Android releases. As customary with Marshmallow+ apps, Speccy will now explicitly ask for some permissions on startup. Please, grant them, or the app may not function properly. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Switched to Android Nougat platform (android-25).
* Switched to JDK 1.8, NDK 13, CLANG toolchain, newest ANT and ProGuard.
* Refactored all native code, fixing CLANG warnings.
* Added split window support on Android Nougat.
* Added freeform window support for upcoming Androids.
* On Marshmallow+, app asks for permissions on startup.
* Fixed scalable images used for tiles in the File Selector.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just published Speccy 4.1.6 for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

In this version, I have inverted the tape input bit, making Billy Kid run. Also fixed the problem with the tape not auto-starting when loading it in the 128kB Spectrum mode. Some games, like Altered Beast, expect Kempston joystick buttons to produce low digital levels when pressed. This is now an option. Finally, I have optimized GLES special effects and added an option to use the optimal sound sampling rate and buffer size suggested by the Android OS. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Inverted tape input bit (Billy Kid, etc).
* Fixed tape autostart when loading tapes in ZX128 mode.
* Added "Emulator | Input Devices | Invert Kempston Bits" option (Altered Beast).
* Optimized OpenGLES shaders used in scaling algorithms and filters.
* Added "Audio | Sampling Rate | Automatic" option for best available sound.
* Added "Audio | Sampling Rate" options for 24kHz and 48kHz sound.
* Always using optimal rate and buffer size when "Automatic" selected.
* Now always hiding FAB buttons on devices with no touchscreen.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

Speccy 4.2, a new release of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, is now out for Windows and Linux:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- home page
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy42-Windows-bin.zip -- Windows version
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy42-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- Linux version

This release fixes sound sampling rate configuration on all platforms, adds the option to force 4:3 "television" window size, and contains a bunch of Windows-specific fixes. File type associations once again work on Windows8+, and Speccy will no longer overwrite the name of the last loaded snapshot or tape image. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added "Force 4:3 Screen" option to Speccy-Windows.
* Added -4x3 command line option to Speccy-Unix.
* Speccy-Windows will not overwrite last software file name with other names.
* Fixed file associations on Windows 8+.
* Fixed sound sampling rate setting across all platforms.

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 4.2 for Android today:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This release introduces the new HQ4X sclaing algorithm, enabled via "Video | Interpolation Effect | HQ4X". Please, make sure you have accelerated video enabled, since HQ4X is only implemented as a GLES shader for now. I have also added an option to force the 4:3 "television" screen ratio, made many optimizations to GLES shaders, and released free updates to Speccy for Windows and Linux. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Released free Speccy 4.2 for Windows and Linux.
* Added HQ4X scaling (only in "Accelerated Video" mode).
* Select "Video | Interpolation Effect | HQ4X" to enable.
* Disabled GLES linear filtering when scaling algorithm selected.
* Now sampling from the middle of each pixel in GLES scalers.
* Further optimized GLES scaling algorithms.
* Added "Video | Scale Video | Stretch to 4:3 Ratio" option.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

Just published Speccy 4.2.1 for Android, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This version lets you disable GLES linear interpolation, for crystal clear image, as long as your device has enough pixels to show it. Most modern Android devices do. I have also made the Layout Editor title bar transparent, so that controls look exactly the same as in the emulator itself. Tap the Layout Editor screen if you wish to toggle title bar. Finally, the analog triggers found in many gamepads are now mapped to L2/R2 shoulder buttons, rather than L1/R1 buttons as before. This way, you can assign analog triggers separately from the L1/R1 buttons. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added option to disable GLES linear filtering.
* Select "Video | Interpolation Effect | Disable Interpolation" to enable.
* Made title bar transparent in Layout Editor (tap screen to toggle).
* Items no longer jump in Layout Editor when you start moving them.
* Analog gamepad triggers now mapped to L2/R2 buttons.
* Fixed MIDI drums option that simulates noise channel with drums.
* MIDI now computes and uses effective power of a waveform.

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

The new Speccy 4.3 binaries for Windows and Linux are now available:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- homepage
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy43-Windows-bin.zip -- Windows version
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy43-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- Linux version

This release fixes a few issues with the MIDI playback and recording and lets you disable Direct3D linear interpolation, if it looks too fuzzy for you.

ALL CHANGES:
* Computing effective waveform power in MIDI playback and recording.
* Fixed "Hit MIDI Drums" option in Speccy-Windows.
* Added "Nearest Neighbor" option to disable linear interpolation.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

Speccy 4.2.2 for Android is now out:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This version fixes special effects shaders on low-precision 3D hardware, such as Mali-400 GPUs. Several people complained about color bars when using color mask and scanline effects on devices with these GPUs. I have traced the problem down to the 16bit "10+6" floating point format used by rasterization hardware in Mali-400 and provided several workarounds. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed CMY/RGB filter shaders on low-end GPUs (Mali-400).
* Fixed scanline simulation shaders on low-end GPUs (Mali-400).
* Fixed analog trigger assignments to L2/R2 buttons.
* Removed text cues from joystick skins that have them already.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

A new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, Speccy 4.2.3 for Android, is now online:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This release adds support for "content://" URIs, so that Speccy should now be able to open ZX Spectrum files from email clients and other apps. I have also fixed integration with Astro File Manager: clicking on ZX Spectrum files there will now run them. Finally, I have fixed a nasty timing bug in the display updates and refactored some library code. Support for virtual buttons and extended file info has been thoroughly refreshed. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed a bug in the display updates synchronization.
* Fixed support for opening Speccy files from Astro File Manager.
* Added support for opening "content://" URIs.
* Refactored file type definitions in the manifest.
* Refactored EMULib library code.
* Moved virtual buttons implementation into OvrButton class.
* Moved file-specific utilities into FileInfo class.

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just published the new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, Speccy 4.2.5 for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This release fixes a bunch of crashes reported by the new and improved Google Play console. None of these crashes occur often, but they still need to be fixed. I have also removed the request for the READ_PHONE_STATE permission from Speccy Deluxe. Several people wondered what it was for, given that Speccy does not make any phone calls. Believe it or not, but this permission is required to get phone's IMEI number. I have now switched from IMEI to AndroidID for device identification. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Speccy Deluxe no longer wants READ_PHONE_STATE permission.
* Application will use AndroidID rather than IMEI to identify users.
* Fixed multiple crashes reported by the new Google Play Console.
* Fixed crashes when showing or dismissing progress dialog in the File Selector.
* Fixed crash when blitting image to screen while exiting.
* Fixed crash when starting a game from the Gallery on Android Nougat.
* Fixed crash when exiting Palette Editor on Android Nougat.
* Hopefully fixed native crash freeing tape data on exit.
* Hopefully fixed rare crash in the File Selector onCreate().
* Hopefully fixed rare crash in Palette Editor RGB dialog.

Have fun!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just released Speccy 4.4 for Windows and Linux, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- homepage
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy44-Windows-bin.zip -- free Windows version
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy44-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- free Linux version

This release mainly improves the Windows version, adding support for DirectInput joysticks and fixing a bunch of bugs. I have also moved all input-related settings to a separate "Input" menu. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added support for DirectInput joysticks to Speccy-Windows.
* Moved all input-related options to the "Input" menu in Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed crash when changing audio sampling rate in Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed "Wave To Melody" checkmark in Speccy-Windows.
* Added "Draw 65% Frames" option to Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed screen updates after changing scaling algorithm in Speccy-Windows.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just pulbished Speccy 4.4 for Android, improving PSG sound envelopes precision:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

The PSG sound is now updated and rendered every eight scanlines. This release also includes all the fixes added to Speccy 4.4 for Windows and Linux, released the last week:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/

ALL CHANGES:
* Released free Speccy 4.4 for Windows and Linux.
* Now updating, rendering, and playing sound every 8 scanlines.
* Switched to microseconds in the AY8910 PSG emulation.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just published Speccy 4.4.1 for Android, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

This release addresses the problem with Android 7+ preventing apps from reading root folder and many other folders. Previously, that confused File Selector leading to empty file lists with nowhere else to go. The new version will simply refuse to go into such folders. I have also added the "Change Folder" option that should let you "jump" to a different folder without having to navigate there. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added "Change Folder" option to the File Selector.
* Fixed File Selector getting stuck at unreadable folders.
* Fixed several crashes reported in Google Play console.
* Fixed native crash when processing initial commands sent by Java side.
* Fixed crash when loading an invalid skin bitmap file.
* Hopefully fixed a crash in the native startup code.
* Hopefully fixed two native crashes when drawing screen.
* Fixed the order of calls in onPause() / onStop() / onDestroy().

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have just published Speccy 4.5 for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

Starting with this release, saving states should work for files located on write-protected storage. In other words, even if Android will not let you save to that external SD card, Speccy will stll save your gameplay to the /sdcard/Speccy folder in the internal storage. This feature worked in my other emulators, but not in Speccy. It has been fixed now. I have also fixed screenshots in the World Of Spectrum browser and added the "Change Folder" option to the File Selector. If you ever get stuck in an unreadable folder, use the "Change Folder" to go where you need to go. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed screenshots in the World Of Spectrum browser.
* Fixed state saves for files located on write-protected card.
* Made states/screenshots deletion more reliable.
* "Emulation | Color Palette" will retain the last set value.
* Added "Change Folder" option to the File Selector for jumping between folders.
* Reenabled ability to navigate through unreadable folders, unless it is root folder.
* Made folder listing error a bit less threatening, since it has become the new normal in Android 7+.
* Fixed hangup on exit where Java code waits for non-existent native thread.
* Removed outdated features from the EMULib code.

Enjoy!
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

A little update:

I have found a problem in Speccy 4.5, corrupting saved .Z80 files, and fixed it. The new Speccy 4.5.1 is now online:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en_us/catalog.php?vendor_id=199556 -- in Opera Store

As an additional bonus, it will now save the machine model and other hardware options selected in "Settings | Emulation". Please, update ASAP.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed crash when saving .Z80 files found in version 4.5.
* Spectrum model and other options will now be saved.

Sorry for trouble this bug might have caused.
 

fms

Member
Re: Speccy Release News

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 4.5 tonight, a new version of my universal Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows and Linux:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- homepage
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy45-Windows-bin.zip -- free Windows version
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy45-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- free Linux version

The latest Speccy adds support for multiple monitors and optimizes full-screen mode detection on Windows. I have also fixed flicker that plagued Win10 users after a recent system update. The Linux version now uses PulseAudio for sound, so you won't need to mess with /dev/dsp emulation any more. Finally, I have moved disk drive options to the "Hardware" menu on Windows.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added multiple monitor support to Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed disappearing window in Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed best full-screen mode detection in Speccy-Windows.
* Fixed window flicker that appeared after recent Win10 updates.
* Moved disk options to "Hardware" menu in Speccy-Windows.
* Switched Speccy-Linux to using PulseAudio sound.
* Updated old PulseAudio driver for 64bit Linux.

For interested parties, Speccy Deluxe for Android is currently on sale for $1.99 and will stay that way for the next few days:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe

Have fun!
 
Top