📰 New article from TorrentFreak

U.S. Seizes More Pirate Sports Streaming Domains, But Iranian Fallbacks Remain

https://torrentfreak.com/u-s-seizes-more-pirate-sports-streaming-domains-but-iranian-fallbacks-remain/

The U.S. Department of Justice just dealt another blow to pirate sports streams, seizing over 100 domains in the ongoing “Operation Offsides.” But here’s the twist: the pirates aren’t just picking up the pieces—they’re moving house entirely.

While the crackdown targets familiar faces like buffstreams.plus and footybite.app, operators have quietly pivoted to Iran’s .ir country-code top-level domain. Think of it as a digital safe house. These Iranian domains resolve to the same Ukrainian servers but use local nameservers and SSL certificates, effectively putting them out of reach for American law enforcement.

Why the switch? It’s a masterclass in jurisdictional arbitrage. The U.S. can’t seize .ir domains because American registrars are banned from selling them, and Tehran has no incentive to cooperate with Washington. Plus, Iran’s updated privacy laws mean who actually owns these sites remains a mystery.

The kicker? These weren’t desperate, last-minute registrations. SSL logs show many .ir domains were quietly prepared nearly three years ago, waiting in the wings for exactly this moment.

The Bottom Line:

• More Seizures: Over 100 new domains taken down this weekend.
• New Hideout: Pirates are migrating to Iranian .ir domains to avoid U.S. jurisdiction.
• Long Game: These backup domains were likely set up years in advance.
• Cat and Mouse: As long as sanctions exist, pirate streams will keep finding new borders to cross.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Lenovo is Bringing a New Handheld With the C700?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/lenovo-is-bringing-a-new-handheld-with-the-c700/

Remember the Legion Go? Yeah, that one. Well, Lenovo is trying again, and this time they might actually nail it. After a few stumbles and some weird rumors, the company is reportedly preparing a new handheld codenamed the C700. Think of it as the spiritual successor to their previous attempts, but with a twist that could change the game entirely.

First off, the hardware looks promising. Leaked images suggest the C700 resembles a Legion Y700 tablet with controller grips attached. If Lenovo ports that high-quality OLED panel from the Y700 into a handheld form factor, we’re looking at a serious contender for screen real estate and clarity. Their LCDs have always been top-tier, so even if they stick to that tech here, it shouldn’t disappoint.

Here’s the kicker: reports hint that the C700 will be partnered with Tencent Games. This strongly implies a “streaming-first” focus, similar to the Logitech G Cloud. While standalone gaming handhelds have their place, a dedicated streaming device powered by a solid chip could offer incredible performance without the battery drain. It’s a risky pivot, but Lenovo knows how to build solid gaming gear.

We’ll have to wait until August for the official announcement, but the early signs point to a device that’s trying to solve the problems of its predecessors. Fingers crossed it’s more of a fix and less of a repeat.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Retroid Gets More RAM, Mangmi Goes Vertical, and Dual-Screen Zelda

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-107/

Grab your coffee, because this week in retro handhelds is shaping up to be a wild ride. We’ve got price hikes, new form factors, and a Zelda port that might just change how you play classics. Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the vertical.

First up, Retroid is shaking things up with the Pocket Nova pre-orders. You’ve got two tiers: 8GB/128GB starting at $229, or 12GB/128GB for $269. It’s a solid entry point if you’re looking for that extra RAM headroom. But hold onto your wallets, because the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 are getting a $10 price bump. Don’t panic, though—they’re throwing in an extra 4GB of RAM to sweeten the deal. It’s a classic “upgrade or pay more” move, but hey, at least you’re getting more memory for your buck.

On the hardware innovation front, Mangmi is going vertical with the Air Y series. Powered by a Qualcomm chip, it’s a fresh twist on the handheld layout, though details are still sparse. Meanwhile, MagicX is navigating the rocky road of RAM costs by discontinuing the Mini Zero 28 and teasing a new Mini40. It’s a tough market right now, but these moves show the industry is adapting.

Finally, software wizards are at it again. Imagine playing A Link to the Past on a dual-screen setup? User samyost1 made it happen. And if productivity is your vibe (or lack thereof), someone’s porting Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies to Portmaster. Because nothing says “get back to work” like zombie apocalypse mode.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Zelda 3 Now Has a Second Screen with This Port

https://retrohandhelds.gg/zelda-3-now-has-a-second-screen-with-this-port/

Remember that sweet, tactile click of the Nintendo DS bottom screen? Or maybe the 3DS’s handy touchscreen inventory? If you’re rocking an AYN Thor handheld, you can finally get that dual-display nostalgia without hunting down a retro console.

A developer named samyost1 has created a brilliant dual-screen port of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to Past. It’s not a standalone app you just download; it’s a clever mashup of existing open-source code (PyDroid and snesrev’s Zelda 3 project) and your own legally owned ROM assets.

Once you’ve got the setup running, the magic happens. The top screen plays the classic SNES game as usual, while the bottom screen becomes a dynamic utility hub. Instead of flipping through clunky menus, you get:

• A live world map that updates in real-time.
• A dungeon map tracking visited rooms.
• A touch-screen inventory for quick equipment swaps.
• A decorative Triforce when there’s no specific data to show.

It’s a great example of what happens when the emulation community builds on each other’s work. If you have an AYN Thor and want to breathe new life into Hyrule’s past, this is a must-try mod. Just remember to use your own legal copy of the game!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Gamepadla’s Prometheus 82 Input Latency Tester

https://retrorgb.com/gamepadlas-prometheus-82-input-latency-tester.html

Tired of guessing if your controller is the culprit behind your input lag? Gamepadla’s new Prometheus 82 kit might be the answer you’ve been waiting for. This clever device combines a lag-testing circuit with a 3D-printed brace to measure button and stick latency without requiring you to open up or solder anything on your controller. You simply mount your gamepad, align the solenoid, and let the software do its thing.

However, here’s the catch: Prometheus 82 measures total system latency, not just the controller’s raw hardware delay. Because it runs on your PC, your results will include overhead from your operating system, drivers, and background processes. While this gives you a realistic look at how your specific setup performs, it doesn’t isolate the controller itself. For those obsessed with pure hardware metrics, this nuance matters.

So, who is this for? If you’re a casual gamer wanting to optimize your personal rig, this tool is fantastic. It’s accurate enough for real-world comparisons and way easier to use than traditional teardown methods. But if you’re a reviewer or manufacturer claiming specific millisecond stats, you’ll need to account for system variance. It’s a powerful tool, provided you understand exactly what it’s measuring.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Google Opposes Site Blocking in Europe as U.S. Piracy Blocking Plans Gain Momentum

https://torrentfreak.com/google-opposes-site-blocking-in-europe-as-u-s-piracy-blocking-plans-gain-momentum/

Google is drawing a line in the sand: stop trying to block pirate sites via DNS and IP addresses. The tech giant recently filed a confidential (but leaked) submission to the European Commission, arguing that these broad blocking measures are not just ineffective, but actively dangerous to the open web.

The core of Google’s complaint is that blocking DNS resolvers or IP addresses is like trying to stop a flood with a sieve. It’s easily circumvented, but the collateral damage is severe. Google points to real-world disasters in Italy and Portugal, where court-ordered blocks inadvertently took down Google Drive, Cloudflare servers, and Cisco services. In one instance, over 42 million legitimate domains were caught in the crossfire. As Google bluntly puts it, courts shouldn’t act as mere “mailboxes” for rightsholders rubber-stamping blocking demands.

Why does this matter? Because momentum is shifting toward the U.S., where lawmakers are actively debating similar site-blocking legislation. With the Supreme Court ruling that ISPs aren’t liable for user piracy, legislators are looking for new tools. While Google hasn’t officially weighed in on the U.S. bills yet, its stance is clear: blocking is a blunt instrument that harms innocent users.

The real solution, Google argues, isn’t enforcement—it’s convenience. If legal streaming were more affordable and accessible, piracy would naturally decline. Until then, blocking infrastructure just breaks the internet for everyone else.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

KONKR Pocket Fit 8 Elite Review: An Exercise in Excessive Excellence

https://retrohandhelds.gg/konkr-pocket-fit-8-elite-an-exercise-in-excessive-excellence/

Let’s be honest: the handheld market is currently a bit of a gold rush, and AYANEO’s budget-friendly KONKR brand is trying to grab a shiny nugget. Enter the Pocket Fit 8 Elite, a device that promises “excessive excellence” in a package that won’t bankrupt you (okay, the top-tier model still stings at $869, but still).

I spent a month with the eye-catching “B. Duck” edition, and here’s the verdict: it’s an ergonomic powerhouse. The build is surprisingly light thanks to high-quality plastic, and the palm grips are genuinely comfortable. The 6-inch 144Hz screen is vibrant and crisp, making it a joy for both emulation and streaming PC games.

Performance-wise, it’s running the Snapdragon 8 Elite—the current Android king. It chews through PS2 and Switch emulation like butter. However, don’t expect it to magically outperform the pricier Odin 3 in raw CPU tasks; they’re neck-and-neck in benchmarks, though the Elite holds a slight edge in GPU work.

The catch? The stock analog sticks are slick and slippery. I swapped mine for textured ones immediately. Also, while the 24GB RAM on the B. Duck model is flashy, you likely won’t need more than 16GB for actual gaming. If you prioritize comfort and screen quality over raw, multi-core CPU supremacy, this little beast is a solid buy. Just maybe grab a case for better grip.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

YAPS2 is a PS2 Emulator with a Focus On Linux

https://retrohandhelds.gg/yaps2-is-a-ps2-emulator-with-a-focus-on-linux/

Remember when running PS2 games on a stick felt like a pipe dream? The emulation landscape has been a rollercoaster, but YAPS2 is finally giving Linux handheld fans a serious reason to cheer. Think of it as “Yet Another PCSX2,” but this fork is laser-focused on squeezing maximum performance out of lower-end hardware.

The team behind YAPS2—bmdhacks, tokyovigilante, and pstef—isn’t just tweaking settings; they’re modernizing the codebase for speed and compatibility. If you’ve been rocking Batocera or Rocknix nightlies, you might already have it installed. Otherwise, you can grab the latest builds directly from GitHub, including experimental versions for Apple Silicon if you’re feeling adventurous.

Here’s the kicker: they’re open about using AI as a dev tool, but they aren’t letting robots write sloppy code. If a contribution looks “vibe-coded,” it’s getting rejected. It’s a pragmatic approach that respects the craft while leveraging modern efficiency.

For retro handheld enthusiasts, this is more than just another emulator; it’s a breath of fresh air for the Linux scene. Keep an eye on their GitHub page, because if this momentum holds, your PS2 library might finally run smoother than ever on devices the size of a deck of cards.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Get to the Hoop! 3D Ball Physics and Corner Three Exploit of NES Double Dribble – Behind the Code

https://retrorgb.com/get-to-the-hoop-3d-ball-physics-and-corner-three-exploit-of-nes-double-dribble-behind-the-code.html

Remember that classic Family Guy gag where Peter Griffin shoots a three-pointer from the top-right corner of the screen, and the ball just… stays there? Spoiler alert: it’s not just a cartoon joke. It’s a genuine, physics-defying exploit hidden deep within the NES classic Double Dribble.

A recent deep dive by RetroRGB pulls back the curtain on this bizarre glitch, exploring the surprisingly complex 3D ball physics and collision detection running on 8-bit hardware. Yes, you read that right. The developers were juggling three-dimensional space on a system that barely had room for two.

The video breaks down exactly how the ball travels, why the hoop’s collision detection is technically broken, and why that corner three is actually a feature of the engine’s quirks rather than a bug. It’s a fascinating look at how developers used clever lookup tables to simulate depth without the processing power to do it properly.

If you’ve ever wondered how a basketball game from the 80s managed to confuse trigonometry and logic simultaneously, this is your fix. It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes, the most memorable moments in gaming aren’t designed at all—they’re just happy accidents waiting to be exploited.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

SegaXtreme Showcase Produces Digital Magazine, Announces Contest Winners

https://retrorgb.com/segaxtreme-showcase-produces-digital-magazine-announces-contest-winners.html

The Sega Saturn is having a serious moment, and it’s not just because it’s turning 31. The SegaXtreme Showcase just wrapped up, and the community proved that homebrew development is alive, well, and winning prizes. Organizer Emerald Nova dropped a 52-page digital magazine featuring all 31 entries, and if enough people bite, he might even print physical copies.

The real buzz, though, is around the winners. Two “secret” entries stole the show: Cubecat Yarnia Demo took home Best Original Game, while a Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers translation patch won Best Translation Patch. Both are still in development, so hold your horses if you’re itching to play them.

Here’s who walked away with the cash (donated entirely by fans):

Best Original Game: Cubecat Yarnia Demo* (7shades)

Best Translation Patch: Sakura Wars 2* (Sakura Wars Translation Team)

Most Creative & Fan Favorite: QuadWorld* (ReyeMe, Shiroiii, and Purist)

It’s a nice mix of veteran devs and newcomers, including a touching tribute to DragonsOfSaturn, who passed away earlier this year. The Sega Saturn’s legacy isn’t just collecting dust; it’s being actively rewritten by a passionate community.