📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

[UPDATE: Official Render and Screen Details] Retroid Pocket Duo Recieves its First Announcement

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retroid-pocket-duo-recieves-its-first-announcement/

If you thought your handheld collection was getting out of hand, Retroid just threw a fresh wrench in the works. Following closely on the heels of Anbernic’s recent announcements, Retroid has finally pulled the curtain back on the Retroid Pocket Duo, and it’s looking like a dual-screen dream.

The teaser reveals a clamshell design featuring two 120Hz OLED displays. In a clever nod to classic gaming geometry, the top screen sports a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, while the bottom screen utilizes a more nostalgic 4:3 layout. It’s essentially a high-tech love letter to the DS era, but with much punchier screen tech.

While the renders are still a bit mysterious, we do know one key ergonomic detail: Retroid is opting for a traditional “D-pad top” layout rather than the asymmetric joystick setup seen on some competitors.

We’re still waiting on the juicy stuff—like whether it’ll house a powerhouse chip to rival the AYN Thor or what the price tag will look like—but the race for the ultimate dual-screen Android handheld is officially heating up.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Armada Drops Their Latest Update to Make SteamOS on ARM Even Better

https://retrohandhelds.gg/armada-drops-their-latest-update-to-make-steamos-on-arm-even-better/

If you’ve ever looked at your high-end Android handheld and thought, “This is great, but it really needs more Steam,” then Armada has some news for you.

Unlike most mobile operating systems that focus purely on emulation, Armada is on a mission to bring a true SteamOS experience to ARM-based devices. They just dropped a massive update, and it’s a big one for anyone rocking an AYN Odin, Retroid, or AYANEO device.

The headline feature? A brand-new experimental dual-screen experience. If you own a device with two screens (like the AYN Thor or AYANEO Pocket DS), you can now launch Plasma Mobile on the bottom display. It’s early days, but it’s a huge step toward making these devices feel like actual desktop-class machines.

Other notable wins in this update include:

• Better Battery Life: Improved sleep stability and “CPU cluster collapse” to save power.
• Custom Cooling: A new, touch-friendly fan curve editor so you can stop your device from sounding like a jet engine.
• Visual Polishing: Improved HDR support and OLED brightness scaling.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a “madman” running three different OSs on one device, Armada is quickly becoming the one to watch.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The DSPico is Back and Better Than Ever with the DSPico IR

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-dspico-is-back-and-better-than-ever-with-the-dspico-ir/

If you’ve spent any time trying to play DS games on original hardware, you know the “flash cart” struggle is real. We’ve endured everything from “timebomb” cartridges that brick themselves to lackluster, unsupported clones. But it looks like the era of mediocre hardware might finally be coming to an end.

The DSPico—the open-source darling that took the community by storm—is getting a massive glow-up in the form of the DSPico IR. Thanks to some heavy lifting from Phenom Mods, this isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a complete overhaul.

The “IR” version swaps out the old Micro USB for a modern USB-C port and upgrades the brain to a Raspberry Pi Pico 2. It’s also sporting a massive RAM boost (8MB vs. the original 264KB) and new IR transceiver functionality.

What this actually means for you:

• Better performance: Faster, more reliable, and supports .ndz ROMs.
• Modern convenience: No more hunting for ancient Micro USB cables.
• Efficiency: Lower power draw means more playtime.

You can currently pre-order them via Phenom Mods for about $30. It’s a bit more than the $5 knock-offs you might find on AliExpress, but for a card that actually works as intended, it’s likely worth the premium.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GameNative V1.2.1 Pre-Release Drops

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamenative-v1-2-1-pre-release-drops/

If you thought the handheld emulation wars were cooling down, think again. While SteamOS-powered devices are grabbing the headlines, the GameNative team is busy “cooking” in the kitchen, proving that high-quality x86 emulation on Android is still a massive frontier.

Their latest V1.2.1 pre-release is a massive dump of improvements that feels less like a minor patch and more like a total refinement. They aren’t just fixing bugs; they’re adding features that actually change how you play.

The standout highlights include:

• Modding Made Easy: Nexus Mods integration is officially back, meaning no more manual file shuffling.
• Better Visuals: A new curated 4:3 filter for the Steam library is a godsend for anyone trying to play retro titles without that awkward stretching.
• Expanding Horizons: Initial support for XR (Quest) games has been added to the XR builds.
• Quality of Life: Everything from Steam achievement viewers to customizable library tabs.

It’s a heavy-duty update that keeps pushing the boundaries of what an Android-based handheld can do. At this rate, you might just be able to skip that overpriced, “ultra-pro-max” flagship handheld and stick to your current setup.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

OpenAI’s ChatGPT Was Built on Concealed ‘Mass Piracy’, Authors Tell Court

https://torrentfreak.com/openais-chatgpt-was-built-on-concealed-mass-piracy-authors-tell-court/

Ever wonder if your favorite AI was raised in a library or a digital pirate cove? According to a new legal filing, it might be the latter.

A group of authors is taking OpenAI and Microsoft to court with some spicy allegations. They aren’t just claiming copyright infringement; they’re alleging that OpenAI built the foundation of ChatGPT using “mass piracy.” Specifically, the motion claims OpenAI used torrented books from the notorious illegal site Library Genesis (LibGen) to train its models.

The authors even suggest OpenAI tried to scrub the evidence, allegedly renaming “Libgen” datasets to something more boring like “Books1” before deleting them due to legal concerns.

It gets personal, too. The filing highlights a controversial tweet from an OpenAI employee suggesting that AI could eventually “autocomplete” the final books of George R.R. Martin.

The bottom line:

• The Core Argument: Authors say downloading pirated books isn’t “fair use,” even if training an AI is.
• The Stakes: This isn’t just about money; it’s about whether AI companies can legally use copyrighted works to build products that might eventually replace the creators themselves.

OpenAI is fighting back, arguing their use is legally protected. Buckle up—this is going to be a long fight.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic Shows Off RG DS Plus Gameplay and Its New DS Emulator

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-shows-off-rg-ds-plus-gameplay-and-its-new-ds-emulator/

If you’ve been itching to revisit your Nintendo DS library without the squinting or the aging hardware, Anbernic might have just saved your weekend. Following their recent announcement, the company has dropped a fresh gameplay showcase for the upcoming RG DS Plus, and it looks like they’re pulling out all the stops.

The star of the show is a brand-new emulator called “NNDDSS.” In the footage, titles like The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks and Pokémon White Version 2 run smoothly, and—crucially for DS purists—stylus support seems to be fully functional for games like Ninja Gaiden.

But it isn’t just a DS clone. The device handles a wide range of classics, from PS1 to Sega Genesis. Anbernic also showed off some clever UI flexibility, allowing you to toggle which screen plays the game and which displays “Now Playing” info. They even threw in a glimpse of Forza Horizon 5 via PC streaming and a look at two-player netplay.

Anbernic usually drops these showcases right before hitting the “buy” button, so expect official release news and reviewer units to start popping up any day now.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

120Hz Gaming for under $100: Leaf on the MINILOONG Pocket 1

https://retrohandhelds.gg/120hz-gaming-for-under-100-leaf-on-the-miniloong-pocket-1/

### The $80 Power Move

If you’ve been hunting for a budget handheld, you know the drill: you usually have to choose between a price you love and specs that make you weep. But the MiniLoong Pocket 1 is officially breaking that cycle, and it’s all thanks to a new custom firmware called Leaf.

Until now, the MiniLoong was a bit of a “diamond in the rough”—great hardware, but held back by a clunky, frustrating stock OS. Enter Leaf, a snappy, lightweight Linux alternative that actually makes this $80 device feel premium.

The headline feature? 120Hz support. While most budget devices struggle to stay smooth, Leaf unlocks the MiniLoong’s 720p screen for high-refresh-rate gaming. This means:

• Butter-smooth menus and responsive gameplay.
• Black Frame Insertion (BFI) options to boost motion clarity.
• A much faster UI that doesn’t feel like it’s running through molasses.

It also includes quality-of-life wins like automatic game art scraping and a “5 Game Mode” to help you stop scrolling and start playing. If you want a pocketable retro beast without dropping $200 on a Retroid, the MiniLoong + Leaf combo is officially the value king.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

OSSC Pro Legacy AV-In (+RF) 3D Printed Case

https://retrorgb.com/ossc-pro-legacy-av-in-rf-3d-printed-case.html

If you’re a retro gaming enthusiast, you know the OSSC Pro is basically the holy grail for getting those old consoles looking crisp on modern screens. But as much as we love modularity, naked circuit boards aren’t exactly “living room chic.”

Enter Dan from The Brewing Academy, who is now selling a custom 3D-printed case specifically designed for the latest OSSC Pro Legacy AV-In module. This isn’t just a generic shell, either; it’s a modified version of a popular design that includes a dedicated hole for the RF expansion and an extra support post to keep those composite and S-Video inputs from wobbling.

Installation is a total breeze—think “Lego-level” simple. You just angle the jacks through the holes and snap the top on. A few quick tips if you pick one up:

• Don’t skip the screws: While it snaps together, adding two small screws (6-10mm) will stop the whole thing from shifting around.
• Secure it to the scaler: The case allows you to screw the module directly to the OSSC Pro, which is a lifesaver if you’re worried about the weight of an RF cable pulling the board out.

At just under $20, it’s a small price to pay to keep your setup looking professional and your hardware safe.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Taito F3, DVD Discs, Computer Cores & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-taito-f3-dvd-discs-computer-cores-more.html

If you thought your MiSTer FPGA was complete, think again. The latest round of updates is a massive, “everything-and-the-kitchen-sink” style dump that covers everything from obscure arcade boards to actual movie discs.

The heavy hitters this week include a brand-new DVD core—meaning you can finally play actual DVD discs and images—and significant progress on a Nintendo DS hybrid core. If you’re a Nintendo purist, you’ll be thrilled to hear that the N64 core now boasts 64DD support, bringing those rare Japanese peripherals to your setup.

Here’s a quick glance at what else is hitting the library:

Arcade Gains: New cores for Taito F3, RoboCop 2, Ring King*, and a highly accurate Irem M72 update.

• Computing Classics: Major updates for Macintosh (LC and Quadra 800), Amiga, and even the z486 core, which is now 22% faster.
• Quality of Life: A new, blazing-fast frontend called Degauss is here to make navigating your library much smoother.

Whether you’re looking to play Street Fighter II bootlegs or dive into the world of retro computing, there’s plenty of tinkering to do this weekend.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Online Piracy Costs the UK 9,400 Nurses a Year, If Pirates Keep Their Word

https://torrentfreak.com/online-piracy-costs-the-uk-9400-nurses-a-year-if-pirates-keep-their-word/

If you’ve ever felt a tiny twinge of guilt for watching a football match on a dodgy link, the UK government might soon be calling you a villain.

A new report from the anti-piracy campaign BeStreamWise claims that illegal streaming is costing the UK a staggering £1.35 billion in missed revenue. To make the numbers hit home, they’ve translated that lost tax income into human terms: that’s enough money to fund 9,400 NHS nurses or 140 million free school meals.

But before you go deleting your bookmarks, there’s a massive asterisk attached to these figures.

The math relies on a “pinky promise” from pirates. Researchers asked people who use illegal streams how much they would be willing to pay if piracy were suddenly impossible. The £1.35 billion is essentially an extrapolation of those hypothetical promises. As any economist will tell you, people often claim they’ll do the right thing in a survey, only to go right back to their old habits the moment the lights go out.

A few quick takeaways from the data:

• Social media is king: Over half of pirates are accessing content via social platforms rather than traditional torrent sites.
• The motivation is simple: Most people cite cost and convenience as their primary drivers.
• The “guaranteed” money is shaky: The study didn’t account for “hypothetical bias,” meaning the actual revenue lost is likely much lower than the headline figure.