Speccy-Android Release News

Hello, All!

Today, I've released the next major version of Speccy-Android, my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator. Speccy-Android 2.0 is available here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

There have been many changes since the last release. After implementing proper R register emulation and more precise LDIR/LDDR instructions, many more Spectrum applications with protected boot loaders run now. The audio should not skip any more. People who complained about being unable to reassign joystick buttons should be able to do so now. The virtual SSHIFT button has been fixed, and there is a new auto-fire functionality. See below for the complete list of changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Generic joystick buttons can now be assigned and used.
* Fixed SSHIFT button on the vitrual keyboard.
* Added accurate R register emulation, many protected boot loaders run now.
* Added accurate LDIR/LDDR emulation, more protected boot loaders run now.
* Added configurable auto-fire function (see "Auto Fire Settings" option).
* Added new "light" theme throughout the app (see "Light UI Theme" option).
* Added support for Spectrum +3 disk images to WoS Browser.
* Added default mappings for generic joystick buttons #1..#10.
* Autoloading TRDOS and +3 disks when inserting the first disk.
* Autoswitching to +3 mode when loading +3 disk image.
* Deleting stale states when downloading new file from WoS.
* Fixed audio skipping (disk version of Any Tank, etc).

Have fun!

Hello, All!

Wrapping up this week, I am releasing Speccy-Android 2.1, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

Starting with this version, Speccy runs on Google TV devices updated to Android 4.x (Jelly Bean), such as LG G2/G3 TVs. I have also switched Speccy to the native OpenSLES audio (for minimal latency) and tried to eliminate the last remaining crash issue, having to deal with Android running out of bitmap memory. See below for the complete list of all changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Speccy now runs on Google TVs updated to Android 4.x (LG G2/G3).
* Now defaulting to OpenSLES native audio, for minimal latency.
* Now recycling bitmaps to prevent Bitmap.nativeCreate() crashes.
* Added new "contour" joystick shape (see "Virtual Joystick Shape" setting).
* Added "Audio Rate" setting, for controlling sampling rate.
* Added "Native Audio" setting, for disabling OpenSLES, if needed.
* No longer requiring touchscreen support from the Android device.
* Fixed stutter during NetPlay connection process (NetPlay still slow though).
* Fixed audio initialization always setting 100ms latency.
* Fixed audio pause/resume when activity pauses or resumes.
* Refactored audio control between Java and native code.

Hello, All!

Today's release is Speccy-Android 2.1.1, an update to my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

This is a bugfix release. It corrects an unfortunate mistake in the manifest that prevented a switch to the native sound API and fixed selection highlighting in the WoS browser. I have also added the new Grid View mode to the File Selector, for GoogleTV and large tablet owners.

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed OpenSLES support (was disabled by mistake).
* Fixed selection highlighting in the WorldOfSpectrum browser.
* Added optional grid view to the File Selector, default for GoogleTVs.
* Added extra folder and cartridge icons to the File Selector.

The new Speccy-Android 2.1.2, my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, has been published to Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

This release adds settings to select ZX Spectrum model and input devices. These settings have previously been located in the Advanced Settings menu that is not easily accessible and harder to operate. I have also added the DropBox support to Speccy. You can now save your games to a DropBox account and retrieve them on a different Android device.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added "Computer Model" setting for selecting ZX Spectrum model.
* Added "Input Devices" setting for selecting joysticks and mice types.
* Added DropBox support to the File Selector.
* Added "Upload to DropBox" menu option to save game to DropBox.
* Added "Download from DropBox" menu option to load game from DropBox.
* Added "Browse DropBox" menu option to browse DropBox contents.
* Now also deleting main screenshot when "Delete All" selected.
* Now allowing to become NetPlay server even if can't register with global directory.
* Added missing string translations.
* Added DropBox application icons.

Have fun!

Just released Speccy-Android 2.1.4, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, to the Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

The new release adds compatibility with the x86-based Android devices, including Android desktop emulators, such as AndroVM, Genymotion, or Bluestacks. I have also fixed the mouse support, so you should once again be able to use mouse in The Artist II and other Spectrum drawing applications.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added support for Android devices based on Intel x86 CPUs.
* Now properly building shared library for each architecture.
* Fixed mouse emulation in portrait mode.
* Fixed mouse emulation with OpenGLES enabled.
* Added proper icon for the parent directory ("..") entry.

Enjoy!

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy-Windows 2.1 today, making all the changes previously introduced into Speccy-Android:

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

Speccy-Windows is free to download and use.

CHANGES:
* Added accurate R register emulation, many protected boot loaders run now.
* Added accurate LDIR/LDDR emulation, more protected boot loaders run now.
* Autoloading TRDOS and +3 disks when inserting the first disk.
* Autoswitching to +3 mode when loading +3 disk image.
* Fixed audio skipping (disk version of Any Tank, etc).
* Added undocumented opcode 71h to the Z80 emulation.
* Added more realistic "LD R,A" opcode to the Z80 emulation.
* Now automatically starting BASIC tape loader when using a tape.
* Now properly restoring full-screen mode in Speccy-Windows.

Enjoy!

Hello, All!

I have just published Speccy 2.2 for Android and Windows:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full Android version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy -- free Android version
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy -- free Windows version

Speccy emulates several Sinclair ZX Spectrum models and their clones. The newly released version adds 64-color ULA+ emulation, customizable color palettes, and several default color palettes. See full change list below:

ALL CHANGES:
* Added ULA+ emulation with 64-color display mode.
* Added "Color Palette" option for changing color palette.
* Added support for custom color palettes for each tape or snapshot.
* If you have Game.z80 or Game.tzx, place colors into Game.pal.
* Added support for global color palette in /Speccy/Speccy.pal.
* Each *.pal file should contain 16 lines with colors in "#RRGGBB" format.
* Made display mode changes more reliable.

Merry Christmas!

Hello, All!

New morning, new version of Speccy, my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator. The new Speccy-Android 2.2.1 is now available from Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)

This release adds two special video effects: the "vertical scanlines" and the "raster". Both will make your screen look like an old, low-resolution LCD. I have also been working with the crash reports accumulated over the last few months and fixed three most common remaining crash causes. See below for details.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added "Simulate LCD Scanlines" option, for vertical scanlines.
* Added raster effect when both vertical and horizontal scanlines enabled.
* Fixed a crash when surface gets destroyed during display update.
* Fixed a crash when deleting files with special characters in their names.
* Fixed a crash when showing sections in File Selector.

Have fun!

Hello, All!

Speccy-Android 2.2.2, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum emulator, is now online:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

This release adds tabs to the Settings dialog, for easier navigation, and rearranges some settings to their proper sections. I have also added a new "Emulation" section with Spectrum-specific settings.

ALL CHANGES:
* Settings are now tabbed, for easier navigation.
* Added Emulation section to the Settings.
* Made "Scanline Effect" a list selector, to accommodate multiple effects.
* Moved some options from Input and Video sections to General.
* Reordered Settings by importance.

Have fun!

Hello, All!

The major Speccy-Android 3.0 release has hit the Google Play this morning:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe (full version)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy (free version)

In this version, I have added the initial Sam Coupe emulation. To enable it, go into Settings->Emulation and select "Sam Coupe" as computer model. All Coupe-specific display modes should work. The SAA1099 sound chip partially works, except for envelopes. If your device has physical keyboard, it will act as Coupe's keyboard. Disk drives do not work yet, I am working on them.

I have also enabled Settings navigation with gamepad and added ability to reassign Moga controller buttons, something many Moga users asked for. Finally, I have fixed the battery drain that occurred when Speccy ran in the background.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added Sam Coupe emulation, will improve it in future versions.
* Sam Coupe SAA1099 sound chip works, no envelopes yet.
* Sam Coupe extra keys will work if you have physical keyboard.
* Sam Coupe disk drives are not yet functional.
* Rearranged physical keyboard to accommodate Sam Coupe.
* Added ability to assign Moga buttons via "Assign Keys".
* Fixed battery drain when Speccy is running in background.
* Added arrow keys navigation to the tabbed Settings.
* Added Moga controller navigation to the tabbed Settings.

Enjoy!