Speccy-Android Release News

[fms]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.store.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.store.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

Hello, All!

I have just published Speccy 4.1.6 for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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/Speccy4...tu-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]

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 4.2 for Android today:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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]

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/d...com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....speccy.deluxe -- full version
http://garageresearch.aptoide.com/ -- on Aptoide
http://android.oms.apps.opera.com/en...ndor_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!