Category: Tater News

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Chinese Court Jails Aiyifan Operator, U.S. Judge Won’t Transfer Pirate Site’s Domains

https://torrentfreak.com/chinese-court-jails-aiyifan-operator-u-s-judge-wont-transfer-pirate-sites-domains/

### The Piracy Crackdown: A Tale of Two Courts

If you’ve ever spent a late night hunting for free streaming sites, you might want to look elsewhere. The legal hammer is falling on Aiyifan, the massive pirate platform serving Chinese-speaking audiences worldwide.

The news is coming from two very different directions. In China, the consequences are personal: one of the site’s key operators, Wang Jianyang, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after a court ruled he played a major role in providing the technical backbone for the platform.

Meanwhile, in a Florida courtroom, the battle is purely financial. The streaming giant iQIYI sued for a staggering $196 million in damages. However, the judge wasn’t buying the massive price tag. After reviewing the evidence, the court handed down a much more modest—though still significant—judgment of roughly $1.96 million.

The “win” for iQIYI is a bit of a mixed bag, though. While they secured the cash judgment, the judge refused to hand over Aiyifan’s domain names. Why? Because the sites host a mix of infringing and legal content, and the court ruled that a total takeover would be too broad.

The takeaway: The operators are feeling the heat, but the pirate sites aren’t quite ready to go dark just yet.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Provides Shipping Updates for the Pocket Advance, Pocket Block, and Pocket Micro 2

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-provides-shipping-updates-for-the-pocket-advance-pocket-block-and-pocket-micro-2/

If you’ve been staring at your mailbox waiting for a new handheld to arrive, AYANEO finally has some news—though it’s a bit of a mixed bag.

The good news? The Pocket Advance is nearly home, with about 90% of pre-orders already shipped. If you’re still waiting on the Onyx Ice colorway, hang tight; the company noted that specific shade is one of the final batches to roll out. Even better, the Pocket Block is officially hitting the road next week (Oct 19–23), which is a much faster turnaround than many expected.

However, if you pre-ordered the Pocket Micro 2, you might need a little more patience. A late delivery from a controller supplier has bumped the shipping window from late October to early November.

The TL;DR on shipping:

• Pocket Advance: 90% shipped; more batches being scheduled.
• Pocket Block: Shipping starts next week.
• Pocket Micro 2: Delayed until early November due to component issues.

It’s a classic case of “good news, bad news,” but at least the hardware is finally moving!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 4K Pro – Lumacode, CRT Beam and IVTC Updates

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-4k-pro-lumacode-crt-beam-and-ivtc-updates.html

If you own a RetroTINK 4K Pro, you might want to clear some space on your SD card—Mike Chi just dropped a massive firmware update, and it is a beaut.

The headline star here is the revamped CRT Beam Emulation. We’re talking about a complete overhaul of the Black Frame Insertion (BFI) settings to help you chase that elusive “perfect” motion clarity. You can now tweak “Motion Clarity” (adjusting brightness vs. blur) and “Beam Steepness” to control how frames blend. There’s even a new “Multi-frame Glow” feature that mimics phosphor trailing, making your modern display behave a lot more like a vintage tube.

But the wins don’t stop at aesthetics:

• Lumacode is easier: Setting up your console is now almost entirely automatic. Just load the preset and you’re good to go.
• Better Video Processing: A second-gen IVTC engine means 24p content and 30fps games (looking at you, PS2 era) will have fewer artifacts and much smoother frame rate transitions.
• VRR Improvements: Variable Refresh Rate is now smarter, handling slow sources without throwing “Out of Range” errors.

Essentially, it’s a “quality of life” update that makes the heavy lifting of emulation feel a lot more seamless. Happy tinkering!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: RG DDS, Odin 3 Portal, a New Miyoo Mini Plus, and More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-121/

Grab your coffee and settle in, because the retro handheld world is moving faster than a speedrunner on caffeine. It’s been a massive week for hardware announcements, legal drama, and software updates that actually make your life easier.

The biggest headline? Anbernic is playing a bit of a defensive game. Following some heat from the ESA regarding “superfake” labels, the company has started pulling bundled microSD cards from its storefront. It looks like they’re trying to stay on the right side of the law while still keeping the hardware flowing.

On the bright side, there’s plenty to get excited about:

• New Hardware: Pre-orders for the Anbernic RG DDS are live (expecting December shipping), and AYN has officially announced the Odin 3 Portal.
• Software Wins: Dual-booting SteamOS and Android just got way less painful thanks to a new update, and DroidDeck 0.4.0 is bringing a major UI redesign.
• The Tiny Tech: The Miyoo Mini Plus V2 is officially hitting the shelves via GoGameGeek.

Whether you’re looking for a new device or just trying to keep your current one updated, there is zero shortage of things to tinker with this week.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

VPNs and Cloudflare Escape beIN’s €10,000-a-Day Piracy Blocking Penalties

https://torrentfreak.com/vpns-and-cloudflare-escape-beins-e10000-a-day-piracy-blocking-penalties/

### The “Reasonable Effort” Loophole

If you’ve ever tried to block a specific website, you know it’s a bit like trying to plug a leak in a dam with a single piece of Scotch tape. That’s exactly the headache beIN Sports is facing in France right now.

The broadcaster went to a Paris court demanding massive daily penalties—up to €10,000 per site—because VPN giants like NordVPN and Surfshark, along with Cloudflare, hadn’t “completely” blocked certain pirate streaming services. beIN wanted total digital lockdown, but the court had a different philosophy.

The verdict? The tech providers don’t have to be perfect; they just have to try.

The court ruled that these companies made a “reasonable effort” to comply, even if some pirate sites still managed to slip through the cracks. Essentially, the law requires a fair balance between protecting copyrights and allowing businesses to actually function without being held hostage by impossible technical standards.

The takeaway:

• Partial blocking counts: If a VPN blocks some sites via DNS, they’ve done their bit.
• No “perfect” requirement: Under EU law, intermediaries aren’t expected to guarantee a 100% success rate.
• The legal battle continues: While beIN lost this round, the broader fight over whether French blocking laws even comply with EU law is headed to the Supreme Court.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Miyoo Mini Plus V2 With Its RK3562 Processor Now Available From GoGameGeek

https://retrohandhelds.gg/miyoo-mini-plus-v2-with-its-rk3562-processor-now-available-from-gogamegeek/

If you were planning on waiting until November to upgrade your retro gaming setup, you might want to clear your schedule—and your wallet. Miyoo just fast-tracked the release of the Mini Plus V2, and it’s officially landing at GoGameGeek ahead of schedule.

So, what’s the big deal? On the surface, it looks identical to the original, but there is some serious muscle hiding under the hood. The V2 swaps out the old chip for the Rockchip RK3562 processor. This is a meaningful jump that could potentially open the door to more demanding titles like Dreamcast, N64, or even some PSP games.

A quick reality check, though: with only 128MB of RAM, don’t expect it to run a modern AAA title. It’s still a focused, lightweight device designed for the classics.

The Quick Deets:

• Price: $69.99 (or just under $60 if you use code RH15)
• Colors: Transparent Purple, Black, White, and Grey
• The Catch: If you’re hunting for the new Miyoo Flip V3, you’ll have to keep waiting. That one hasn’t hit the shelves just yet.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

ArcStation Tested – Plug & Play PS1 ODE

https://retrorgb.com/arcstation-tested-plug-play-ps1-ode.html

If your original PlayStation is currently acting more like a paperweight than a gaming machine, there’s a new hero in town. The ArcStation optical drive emulator (ODE) is officially shipping, and it’s looking like a dream for retro enthusiasts.

The big selling point here is how incredibly easy it is to install. Unlike other mods that require a degree in electrical engineering, this is essentially “unbolt, unplug, plug in, and play.” It emulates the RF signal from the original CD-ROM assembly, meaning the console thinks it’s reading a real disc. This results in massive compatibility—even with those finicky games that used to have strict copy protection.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• Universal Fit: It works across all PS1 models.
• Simple Storage: Just format an SD card to exFAT, drop your games in, and you’re good to go.

Smooth Switching: Multi-disc games (looking at you, Final Fantasy*) work seamlessly via a simple button and lid-close method.

It does come with a premium price tag—around $167—but when you factor in that you don’t need to pay a pro to install it, the math starts to make sense. If you missed the first drop, don’t sweat it; they’ll be back in stock this November.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic Begins Removing Bundled microSD Cards From Its Storefront

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-begins-removing-bundled-microsd-cards-from-its-storefront/

If you’ve recently gone to Anbernic’s store to grab a new handheld and noticed the “extra storage” options have mysteriously vanished, you aren’t hallucinating.

The retro gaming giant is quietly scrubbing microSD card bundles from its storefront. While Anbernic hasn’t released an official “oops, our bad” statement, the timing is pretty loud. This follows the ESA labeling the company a “superfake,” a move that puts them squarely in the crosshairs of legal scrutiny regarding copyright and intellectual property.

Here is the deal: for years, buying a larger microSD card with a handheld was the “unwritten understanding” that you were actually buying a pre-loaded library of ROMs. By removing these bundles, Anbernic is likely trying to distance itself from the legal headache of selling copyrighted games directly.

What this means for you:

• Less convenience: You’ll likely have to source your own cards and load your own games.
• A shifting landscape: We’ll have to see if other manufacturers follow suit or if this is just Anbernic playing defense.

Whether this is a savvy legal pivot or “too little, too late” remains to be seen, but the era of the “plug-and-play” bundle might be hitting a major speed bump.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Avermedia Elite Go / Core Go

https://retrorgb.com/avermedia-elite-go-core-go.html

If you’ve ever tried to pack a Nintendo Switch, a Steam Deck, and a mess of cables into a carry-on, you know the struggle is real. Enter Avermedia’s new duo: the Core Go and the Elite Go.

The Core Go is essentially a Swiss Army knife for your handheld. It’s a USB PD charger that doubles as a compact dock, offering 4K60 HDMI output and extra ports for your controller or mouse. It’s sturdier than the bargain-bin third-party docks but cheaper than Nintendo’s official version. If you’re a frequent traveler, this is a massive win for saving desk space.

Then there’s the Elite Go, which adds a built-in (albeit budget) capture card for an extra $40. It’s a niche play—perfect for a cramped dorm room where every inch counts—but you might be better off buying the Core Go and a separate capture device to save a few bucks.

The bottom line:

• Get the Core Go if you want a reliable, tiny travel dock.
• Skip the Elite Go unless you truly live in a shoebox and need everything in one plug.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

RIAA Flags Anna’s Archive and AI Voice Cloner to U.S. Government

https://torrentfreak.com/riaa-flags-annas-archive-and-ai-voice-cloner-to-u-s-government/

### The RIAA’s “Most Wanted” List is Out

If you thought the music industry was playing nice, think again. The RIAA has officially submitted its annual “notorious markets” wishlist to the U.S. government, and the target list is looking a lot more high-tech than the usual torrent sites.

While the classics like The Pirate Bay and 1337x are still on the radar, the real drama is centered on the new frontiers of piracy: shadow libraries and AI.

The New Villains in the RIAA’s Eyes:

• Anna’s Archive: This shadow library is under fire for allegedly scraping millions of tracks from Spotify. Even after a massive $322 million default judgment, the site is still dodging takedowns via various new domains.
• AI Voice Cloners: The RIAA is coming for services like Lalals, which lets users swap vocals to sound like Taylor Swift or Drake. The labels argue this exploits artist rights and uses copyrighted recordings for training.
• The “Mega” Debate: The file-hosting giant Mega has been added to the list, though they aren’t going down without a fight. Mega claims infringing content is a tiny fraction of their massive user base and plans to fight the designation.

Essentially, the labels are drawing a line in the sand: if it involves unauthorized scraping or AI-generated clones, they’re coming for it.