Analogue Pocket

New beta firmware out and about. Will give it a go later but some detail on the page there with changes etc

Notice a Max Core Volume reference which might be a fix of sorts for the low volume issue when running OpenFPGA stuff. Plus a lot of changes to the FPGA support.....dunno if there's been any filter implementation, but that could be a core-by-core thing.

Aye. Hate that Dock sound. Analogue said its normal, but everytime I undock, I am not loving it.

Updated to that newest firmware anyway with no issue, and Analogue Spiritualized Cores have all being updated with minor changes to bring them in line. Still no filters yet, but they have at least separated the DMG GB core from the GBC one so pea green is there to enjoy.

Volume sounded OK since the update, but I generally was using carts over the original release of the cores so can't say it's fixed completely, but seemed to have headroom with the volume from the little I tried.

Initial Tecmo core doing the rounds now with Rygar support but not tried it. Pong core out and about also.

SNES core out now!

Funny watching all the dev stuff from a distance, feels like it all getting a bit tetchy around porting the existing MiSTer cores. Analogue really isn't the most popular amongst them...

I believe the issue is that folks who support the devs via the likes patreon, have done so for MiSTer core dev and not Analogue.

Analogue dev might lead to more support for the devs I guess

I'm all for developers getting paid for their time/skill investments, that goes for software and hardware emulation alike. Patreon and such are perfect for that purpose.

Generally, I'm not overly fond of closed source ecosystems though (in context). If Analogue want to maintain a walled garden, ideally it shouldn't come at the cost of the open source community. Hopefully it balances out over time.

My thing is mainly with a 3rd party porting someone else's core, hadn't considered this would be the main release method tbh. I think some of the original devs are feeling their work is being passed off as Analogue's or whatever. I've subbed to Jotego but he seems to be on a bit of a go-slow regarding the Pocket. He's probably lucky more people don't have the device imo or otherwise what would stop someone else porting them over? Technically that's the open-source way, right.

Do think/hope a lot of it is just teething pains and was always going to happen as soon as any alternative to MiSTer arrived, but it's getting a bit tribal alright. Nothing wrong with that I suppose and I can see why people may just ideologically oppose Analogue and prefer the more open source MiSTer. It does seem to be a bit more of a 'community'.

Must be a problem with all emulation I guess - all these Chinese devices selling themselves pre-loaded with emulators etc. I think Analogue could do a bit more if they want to limit some of the pushback but they're also selling a fairly powerful FPGA system at a price no-one else is even coming close to so it's not black & white either. Best solution would be a fully open alternative but not sure how feasible that would be.

Yup, it will once there is a demand and Analogue support the dev community.

I wonder what happens with Analogues new openness if some resourseful company/soul releases open FPGA HW as a Mister Ver.2 with a screen, which is cheaper than Analogue but comparable :)

Cores are progressing nicely which is nice to see, but in other news from Analogue, it looks like the adapters are well into 2023 with Q3 mentioned as a shipping date elsewhere. Some obviously would question the need at this point given core development, but it'd be nice to have the use of the original carts even if the PC Engine and others get covered

01. Pocket Preorders — 95% of all open preorders (B & C) will ship before the end of 2022.

02. Pocket Cartridge Adapters — will be available for preorder for $99 on Oct 21st.

One other unrelated bit is another run of the Super NT and Mega SG for eejits to scalp

03. Super Nt and Mega Sg — the final run. We’re making one last run of Super Nts and Mega Sgs and they will be available for preorder for $199 on Oct 28th.

What makes you say that? I was under the impression that Mednafen, and in particular, Ares, had the NGP very nicely covered no?

You know I've never really been too interested in a Super NT or Mega SG, but with the phrase 'last run' it has me taking notice...

A move over into the world of CD systems perhaps? Analogue Play ST and Saturn SG?

Yeah...all gone quiet on that front. If anything, the scarcity and long lead times of their other offerings probably indicates how difficult it is to put a proper roadmap. Difficult for the big boys, never mind a niche operation like theirs.

Still very much a presence on the website so perhaps it'll be addressed down the line.

Just guessing but I'm thinking they're going to go for a multi-system type home console with cart adaptors. Could even be just the Pocket board inside a different case so fully compatible with the OS and existing core ports maybe. Play everything up to SNES/MD and buy whatever adaptors you want real carts for.

If anyone's getting a Pocket soon you're going to love it. New cores all the time, consoles and classic arcade, and by Christmas should have all the main 8/16 bit consoles perfect I'd say. A couple of good update-scripts options to use as well, makes it a whole lot easier to grab everything and gets the modified arcade roms you need.

Given up following any dev issues/drama, it's all a bit gas tbh. Jotego's hard-locking his releases to the specific id of your device going forward (complaining that Analogue wouldn't pay him...), there's 2 NES cores on it now (Kevtris'/Analogue's and a MiSTer port) etc. I'm sure there's more going on but I can't concern myself with the tribulations of the higher beings.

Personally, I'd say wait. They'll deliver it to you regardless and you don't have to pay anything without a proper invoice - not sure what these emails are classed as, I'd guess it says something like 'estimated charges' somewhere.

Others may have experience that it always works out the same in the end, anything you're overcharged here will be refunded etc., but I've always waited.