📰 New article from TorrentFreak

DNS Resolver Quad9 Rejects French Piracy Blocks, Weighs Exit as beIN Seeks Up to €580K a Day

https://torrentfreak.com/dns-resolver-quad9-rejects-french-piracy-blocks-weighs-exit-as-bein-seeks-up-to-e580k-a-day/

### High Stakes and High Fines: The DNS War in France

It’s the classic internet showdown: a massive broadcaster vs. a privacy-focused non-profit, and the price tag is absolutely eye-watering.

French broadcaster beIN Sports is currently in a legal tug-of-war with Quad9, a Swiss DNS resolver. The issue? French courts have ordered Quad9 to block access to pirate sports streaming sites. Quad9, however, has essentially said, “No thanks.”

The reason isn’t just stubbornness; it’s a technical and philosophical nightmare. Quad9 argues that they can’t accurately distinguish a French user from a user elsewhere without compromising privacy or relying on shaky data. To them, blocking specific domains for one country only is technically messy and sets a dangerous precedent for the open internet.

But “standing on principle” is about to get very expensive. beIN is seeking penalties of €10,000 per domain, per day. With 58 domains on the list, Quad9 is looking at a potential bill of €580,000 every single day.

What happens next?

Quad9 is caught in a three-way bind:

• Comply locally: Risk inaccurate blocking and further legal headaches.
• Comply globally: Effectively let French law dictate internet access for the whole world.
• Exit the market: Stop serving French users entirely to avoid the fines.

A court decision is expected in a few weeks. Grab your popcorn—this is going to be a costly one.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GammaOS Drops the V1.4.4 for a Pair of Dual Screen Devices

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gammaos-drops-the-v1-4-4-for-a-pair-of-dual-screen-devices/

If you’ve been dreaming of a modern handheld that actually nails the dual-screen experience, you’ve likely been eyeing the Anbernic clamshells. Whether you’re rocking the OG RG DS or the newer RG DS+, there’s some good news brewing in the software department.

GammaOS just dropped version 1.4.4, and it’s a beefy one. This isn’t just a minor “bug fix” patch; it’s a massive overhaul designed to make these devices feel less like prototypes and more like polished consoles.

The highlights are actually quite impressive:

• Better Visuals: New screen calibration and fixes for grainy button icons.
• Smoother Gameplay: The RG DS now gets the low-latency audio path, and both screens now sync up at a rock-solid 60 Hz.
• Quality of Life: You can finally hide games without deleting them, and the “slow motion” bug after fast-forwarding is officially a thing of the past.

From fixing Hotel Dusk crashes to ensuring your device doesn’t go to sleep mid-update, it’s clear Gamma is doing the heavy lifting to make these handhelds shine. Just a heads-up: if you want the update immediately, you’ll need to hit up his Patreon. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the public rollout.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Super Mario Kart — Fullscreen Edition

https://retrorgb.com/super-mario-kart-fullscreen-edition.html

Ever played the original Super Mario Kart and felt like you were viewing the race through a letterbox? In the single-player mode, the screen is awkwardly split, giving you a tiny view of the track on top and a massive map on the bottom. It’s classic SNES charm, but let’s be real: it’s not exactly immersive.

Enter developer Psicopompo, who just dropped a patch that finally lets the 1-player mode go full screen.

This wasn’t some simple “stretch the image” trick. Because the original game’s logic—everything from item placement to camera angles—was hardcoded for that split-screen layout, the developer had to go deep. We’re talking tapping traces on the SNES motherboard and analyzing chip-level data to rewrite how the game perceives the screen.

The trade-off? You lose the mini-map and the rear-view mirror to keep the performance smooth and the logic intact. But honestly, seeing the track take up the entire 256×224 display area makes the trade-off well worth it. If you want to relive your childhood without the squinting, this is a must-try.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 First Impressions: A Surprising Sequel

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-micro-2-first-impressions/

### Brilliant Hardware, Baffling Execution

If you’ve been following the handheld scene lately, you know AYANEO is a bit of a paradox. They consistently build some of the most beautiful, high-performance gear on the market, only to trip over their own shoelaces when it comes to shipping and logistics. Their latest contender, the AYANEO Pocket Micro 2, is no exception.

The good news? The hardware is a genuine leap forward. While the original Micro felt a bit “clunky” in the pocket, the sequel fixes the biggest headache: the analog sticks. They’ve been recessed into the chassis, making the device much more pocket-friendly and comfortable to hold. Plus, the jump to a Snapdragon 865 means you aren’t just stuck with Game Boy Advance games; you’re looking at much smoother emulation for PS2 and even some light GameCube titles.

The Quick Lowdown:

• The Good: Much better ergonomics, improved stick range of motion, and a beefier processor for heavier emulation.
• The Bad: The $300+ price tag is steep for a device that specializes in a specific aspect ratio, and the “inline” shoulder buttons are a bit of a letdown for power users.
• The Messy: Shipping delays and logistical hiccups continue to plague the AYANEO experience.

It’s a premium little beast for GBA enthusiasts, provided you have the patience to wait for it to actually arrive.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

spruceOS v4.5.0 Adds More Device Support, Offline RetroAchievements, and So Much More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/spruceos-v4-5-0-release/

If you felt like the handheld market was hitting a bit of a lull lately, don’t panic—the software is actually having a massive moment.

The developers behind spruceOS have been on an absolute tear, dropping eight updates since August. The latest arrival, v4.5.0, is a heavy hitter that makes your favorite retro handheld feel much more polished and capable.

The headline feature? Offline RetroAchievements. This is a game-changer for anyone who loves chasing trophies but doesn’t want to be tethered to a Wi-Fi signal. You can now play your cached games anywhere, and the system will simply sync your achievements once you’re back online.

Here’s a quick look at what else is in the box:

• Expanded Support: The PowKiddy RGB30, RGB20SX, and Miniloong Pocket 1 are now officially stable.
• Bluetooth Overhaul: Expect much smoother pairing, automatic audio switching to headsets, and a handy new icon in the status bar.
• Visual Flair: New RGB LED settings (hello, rainbow effects!) and a themeable in-game menu.

If you’re looking to upgrade, just double-check your device requirements—some non-Miyoo handhelds might need a little extra help from dArkMoss or BaseOS to get running smoothly.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Two U.S. Site-Blocking Bills Compete Over VPN Rules and ISP Liability

https://torrentfreak.com/two-u-s-site-blocking-bills-compete-over-vpn-rules-and-isp-liability/

### The Great Site-Blocking Showdown

After a decade of avoiding the topic, U.S. lawmakers are finally diving headfirst into the messy world of internet piracy. Two competing bills have landed in Congress, and while they both aim to let courts order the blocking of foreign pirate sites, they couldn’t be more different in how they treat the companies doing the heavy lifting.

On one side, we have Rep. Darrell Issa’s ACPA, which is essentially a “pro-provider” playbook. It targets VPNs and larger ISPs, but offers them a massive carrot: a broad liability shield that protects them from copyright lawsuits related to these sites. It even mandates that rightsholders reimburse providers for the costs of compliance, including staff salaries.

On the other side is the DEFEND IP Act, a more aggressive version that skips VPNs entirely but pulls in more small ISPs. This bill offers no broad immunity for providers and leaves cost reimbursement up to a judge’s whim.

The TL;DR on the differences:

• VPNs: Included in the ACPA; excluded from DEFEND IP.
• Liability: ACPA offers a massive shield for ISPs; DEFEND IP offers nothing.
• The Bill: ACPA makes it easier to block sites; DEFEND IP sets a much higher bar for what qualifies as a “pirate site.”

It’s a classic legislative tug-of-war between protecting intellectual property and ensuring the internet’s infrastructure doesn’t get caught in the crossfire.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Halo Everywhere, Handhelds Missing in Action, and Spooktober Begins

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-119/

Grab your coffee and settle in—it’s been a wild week in the handheld world, ranging from “magic trick” shipping mishaps to massive software breakthroughs.

First up, some bad news for Retroid fans. While everyone was hyped for the Pocket Nova, a growing number of customers are reporting a literal “now you see it, now you don’t” situation: they’re receiving empty packages. It’s a frustrating start for a highly anticipated device. On a brighter note, AYANEO is finally moving on the KONKR Pocket Block, which is now available for pre-order (though don’t expect it to arrive before Thanksgiving).

In the software realm, we have a genuine win: the Halo: Combat Evolved decompilation is here. This means the legendary shooter is becoming playable almost anywhere—including your browser and retro handhelds.

Quick hits to keep you in the loop:

• ModRetro Leaks: New transparent color options for the Chromatic are making the rounds.
• EmuDeck Update: The “Armada” update is live, making setup a breeze for ArmadaOS users.
• SeedlessDS: The long-awaited public release is finally here to boost DS emulation on low-powered Android devices.

Whether you’re hunting for deals or troubleshooting an empty box, it’s a busy time to be a handheld enthusiast!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The Original Halo Is Pretty Much Playable Everywhere, Including Your Retro Handheld and Browser

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-original-halo-is-pretty-much-playable-everywhere-including-your-retro-handheld-and-browser/

Remember when playing Halo: Combat Evolved meant hunkering down in front of a bulky CRT television? Those days are officially over. Thanks to a massive breakthrough in the decompilation scene, the Master Chief is officially everywhere.

It all started with a project called Apollo, a decompilation of the original game. While it was initially built for Windows and Android, the community has gone absolutely wild with it. We’re talking about ports that allow you to play the legendary shooter right in your web browser—complete with multiplayer support for up to 128 players. Yes, you read that right. You can jump into a match during a lunch break without even downloading a file.

But the real magic is happening in the retro handheld community. Enthusiasts have already successfully ported the game to devices like the Anbernic RG35XXH and the TrimUI Smart Pro. Even better? Split-screen co-op is reportedly working on these tiny handhelds.

Just a heads-up: because of copyright, these projects don’t come with the game files. You’ll need to provide your own Xbox disc image to get the engine running. Once you do, the ring is yours to explore—anywhere, anytime.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MattKC’s Genesis & CDi Controller Overview

https://retrorgb.com/mattkcs-genesis-cdi-controller-overview.html

Ever wondered why your retro gaming gear feels like a digital archaeological dig? If you’ve ever tried to plug a Sega controller into a Philips CDi, you know the struggle is real.

Enter MattKC, a hardware wizard who just dropped a masterclass in controller evolution. His latest video isn’t just a tutorial on how he built a Genesis-to-CDi adapter; it’s a deep dive into the DNA of gaming inputs. He traces the lineage from the Atari 2600 all the way to how the Genesis 6-button controller paved the way for modern compatibility.

The real magic, however, is the adapter itself. Matt has released an open-source design that allows you to use those iconic Sega controllers on the CDi with virtually zero lag. Because the adapter cycles through button changes multiple times per frame, it’s as snappy as it gets.

The best part? The community is already running with it. Since the design is open-source, other nerds are already tweaking and evolving it. It’s a beautiful example of how the retro community keeps hardware alive through shared knowledge and a little bit of “morbid curiosity.”

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Epomaker HE75 V2 TMR Review: Who Names These Things?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/epomaker-h75-v2-tmr-review/

### The Keyboard That Tries to Do It All

Epomaker is clearly on a mission to conquer every corner of the keyboard market, and their latest entry, the HE75 V2 TMR, is a bit of a Swiss Army knife. While most “high-speed” gaming boards force you to choose between performance and customization, this one attempts to give you both.

The standout feature here is the TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) technology. It’s designed to compete with high-end “rapid trigger” boards used by pro gamers, but with a twist: it remains compatible with standard mechanical switches. For $129, you’re getting a 75% layout that’s built solid, even if the “crystalline” RGB backlighting on the case is a little flashy for those who prefer a minimalist desk.

The Quick Takeaways:

• The Good: The Creamy Jade and Zebra magnetic switches are incredibly smooth, and the build quality is surprisingly rigid for an ABS plastic board.

The Not-So-Good: The software is a bit unpolished, and the “Crystal” silent switches are a total skip if you actually enjoy the satisfying clack* of a mechanical keyboard.

• The Verdict: If you want a gaming powerhouse that doesn’t lock you out of the mechanical switch world, this is a winner. If you just want a reliable daily driver, save $40 and grab the non-TMR version.