📰 New article from TorrentFreak

A DMCA “Bot War”: Google Search Processed 5 Billion Takedown Requests in 2025

https://torrentfreak.com/a-dmca-bot-war-google-search-processed-5-billion-takedown-requests-in-2025/

Let’s be real: Google didn’t just process 5 billion DMCA takedowns in 2025—it survived them.

That’s 14 million URLs flagged per day. Ten thousand every minute. And no, humans didn’t do it. This is a full-on bot war: copyright bots vs. pirate bots, with Google caught in the middle like a tired sysadmin sipping cold coffee at 3 a.m.

The star player? Link-Busters—the shadow library hunter that sent over 3.2 billion takedown requests alone. Their target? Anna’s Archive, the digital library that’s basically the Wikipedia of pirated books. They’re precise, focused, and terrifyingly efficient.

But it’s not all clean hits. Google still gets bombarded with takedown requests for Wikipedia pages, NYT articles, and even dictionary entries. Luckily, its algorithms are pretty good at spotting the nonsense—roughly 3% of requests get ignored for being absurd. Another 8%? Already handled. And a whopping 35%? URLs that hadn’t even been indexed yet—meaning Google’s blacklisting them before they go live. Preemptive copyright takedowns? Welcome to 2025.

Still, over 2.7 billion URLs were successfully removed. The system’s working—but barely. With Link-Busters capped at 10 million/day… for now.

What happens when the bots start fighting each other? We’re about to find out.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

RIP The Steam Deck (LCD), Long Live the Steam Deck (OLED)

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-deck-lcd-discontinued/

RIP Steam Deck LCD — you were the budget-friendly hero we didn’t know we needed.

Valve quietly pulled the plug on the original LCD model, no fanfare, no clearance sale—just a quiet “sold out, never to return” note on their site. No dramatic farewell tour, no last-minute discounts. Just… poof. Gone.

And honestly? Fair. The OLED models are brighter, smoother, and just better—plus, Valve’s clearly prepping for 2026’s big hardware drop (Steam Machine? Steam Frame? We’re ready). This isn’t a sign of the Deck 2 arriving… it’s just smart inventory housekeeping. The LCD was great while it lasted—$399 for a portable PC gaming revolution? Yes, please.

Now, the lineup’s clean: two OLED options—512GB or 1TB. No more “should I get the LCD?” debates. Just pure, glowing performance.

So raise a glass (or a Steam Controller) to the LCD. You made handheld gaming accessible, affordable, and wildly fun. We’ll miss you.

— But seriously… OLED is chef’s kiss.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Here’s a Better Look at the MANGMI Pocket Max and Possible Colorways

https://retrohandhelds.gg/heres-a-better-look-at-the-mangmi-pocket-max-and-possible-colorways/

The MANGMI Pocket Max is finally peeking out from the shadows—and it’s looking suspiciously good.

After a cryptic silhouette tease, MANGMI dropped a video that had handheld fans doing a double-take: this thing looks like AYANEO, Retroid, and AYN had a baby… and it’s wearing a sleek OLED suit. Now they’re letting you pick its outfit—White, Black, or “Retro GB” (a nostalgic nod to the original Game Boy). Let’s be real: Black’s the safe pick for OLED contrast, but Retro GB? That’s pure emotional blackmail. My Pocket Air X is still unboxing itself in my heart, and this might just be its long-lost sibling.

Rumors say it’s packing a Snapdragon 865—same chip as the Retroid Pocket 5 and AYN Thor Lite—and if it hits $200, we’re looking at the best value in handhelds since… well, maybe ever. MANGMI’s staying quiet on specs, but the vibe? Pure “unboxing under the Christmas tree” energy.

Vote in their Discord. Pick your color. Pray it’s not a $300 cash grab. And if you’re lucky? You might just get your hands on it before the holidays.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RGB-Pi 2 Released

https://retrorgb.com/rgb-pi-2-released.html

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever dreamed of making your Raspberry Pi look like it time-traveled from 1992, the RGB-Pi 2 just dropped—and it’s chef’s kiss.

This isn’t your average HDMI-to-SCART dongle. It’s a $70, 3D-printed masterpiece designed to turn your RPi 3/4/5 into a retro gaming console that looks like it was born next to your old CRT TV. With RePlayOS (a custom OS that outputs pixel-perfect 1920×240 signals), it bypasses modern display quirks and delivers pure, crunchy RGB goodness straight to your TV. No blur. No lag. Just that sweet, analog nostalgia.

What sets it apart? AND/XOR sync options—yes, you read that right. If your TV hates the signal, flip a switch and it might just love you back. Plus, 24-bit color? That’s not just “good enough.” That’s art.

It’s built for RePlayOS… but will it work with other systems? We’ll find out. (Spoiler: I’m livestreaming the unboxing.) For retro fans who miss the days when “HDMI” meant “plugging into a TV with a big, chunky cable,” this is the holy grail.

Just don’t blame us if you start hunting down your old Super Nintendo just to feel like a kid again. 🎮✨

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

“Vast” Anti-IPTV Piracy Operation Promised Ahead of AFCON 2025

https://torrentfreak.com/vast-anti-iptv-piracy-operation-promised-ahead-of-afcon-2025-2512219/

Morocco’s about to host AFCON 2025—and with it, a massive wave of illegal football streams. Think of it as the World Cup’s edgier, less-regulated cousin, with millions tuning in via shady IPTV services instead of paying for legit broadcasts.

Here’s the twist: Morocco’s copyright office, long criticized for doing nothing, is suddenly getting serious. In a rare show of muscle, the BMDAV—backed by INTERPOL, the EU, and the Motion Picture Association—is throwing a high-profile anti-piracy summit. They’re calling it a “vast operation,” hinting at raids, takedowns, and legal fireworks just before the tournament kicks off. Translation? If you’re streaming AFCON via a $5/month “premium” IPTV channel, your days are numbered.

Meanwhile, beIN Sports—owner of broadcast rights—isn’t waiting around. They’re suing Morocco’s biggest telecoms to force ISPs to block the notorious pirate site live-kooora.com. And they’re launching their own 4K streaming platform, TOD, right in time for the big game. It won’t be cheap—but it’ll be legal, crystal clear, and (hopefully) ad-free.

The message? Piracy might be rampant… but so is the pushback. If you’re looking to watch AFCON without getting flagged, now’s the time to subscribe—not screenshot.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-deals-of-the-week/

Your Retro Handheld Wishlist Just Got a Whole Lot Cheaper

Let’s be real—you’ve been eyeing that Anbernic RG477V like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party. Good news: it just dropped to $199 (for 72 hours only). And if you’re still lurking in the shadows of AliExpress, congrats—you’ve stumbled into discount heaven.

This week’s AliExpress sale is basically a Black Friday encore. Codes like USLF40 ($40 off $309) and AEBUS1 ($25 off $200) are floating around like digital confetti. Need a PowKiddy V90S? $39.99 with code. A Miyoo Mini Flip? Under $60. Even your grandma’s old Game Boy Color feels fancy next to these deals.

And hey, if you’re not just nostalgic but next-gen curious—x86 handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally are under $500, mini PCs for $195, and SSDs on sale too. Your retro library is about to explode with 8-bit glory… and maybe a little bit of modern power.

Controllers? Check. Storage? Double check. Free games on Steam and Epic? Oh, we didn’t forget. Jotunnslayer is free until midnight tonight—perfect for when your hands get tired from all that button-mashing.

Your wallet’s gonna thank you. Or at least, your inner 10-year-old will. 🕹️💸

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Time Crisis HDTV Light Gun Kit

https://retrorgb.com/time-crisis-hdtv-light-gun-kit.html

Let’s be real—playing Time Crisis with a light gun on a modern TV should feel like stepping into an arcade… not wrestling with your Wi-Fi router.

Enter the G‘AIM’E TV Mini-Console: a cute, plug-and-play box that lets you play classic light gun games—Time Crisis, Point Blank, and more—on your HDTV. Sounds like a dream, right? Well… it’s got charm, but zero chill. The gun’s camera needs a perfect, unobstructed view of your screen, meaning you’ve got to stand like a statue six feet back. Miss the target? Blame the tech—not your aim. (Spoiler: it’s the tech.)

And yeah, it works—sometimes. Jason from RetroRGB tested it side-by-side with a real CRT, and the results? Spotty. One shot hits dead-center. The next one thinks you’re aiming at the ceiling lamp. It’s like playing darts with a blindfold and a GPS glitch.

Still, props to the team for trying. At $100–$200, it’s not cheap—but it is legally licensed, and the foot pedal for Time Crisis? Chef’s kiss. Just don’t expect to win a tournament. As one commenter put it: “I’d play a few levels and move on to the next thing at the party.”

For collectors, tinkerers, or folks with way too much patience—this might be your weird little joy. For everyone else? Stick to the controller.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Crunchyroll Takedown Efforts Target Anime Torrent Client Hayase

https://torrentfreak.com/crunchyroll-takedown-efforts-target-anime-torrent-client-hayase/

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever binge-watched anime without paying for it, you’ve probably used something like Hayase. It’s not a pirate site—it doesn’t host or link to anything illegal. It’s just… really good at playing torrents like a slick, no-bs media player. Think Popcorn Time meets Kodi, but for anime nerds who hate waiting for downloads.

Crunchyroll? Not a fan. They’ve been on a takedown tear—targeting GitHub, Google Play, even Discord—claiming Hayase enables piracy. Problem is: they didn’t tell Hayase what exactly was infringing. No screenshots, no links—just a legal shotgun blast. So the devs did the polite thing: they removed the files, saving everyone the courtroom drama.

Funny twist? Crunchyroll’s planning to kill its free tier in 2025… right as millions of fans on X are saying, “Guess we’ll just use Hayase.”

The app still works. The GitHub links? Dead. But if you’ve already installed it? You’re golden. And honestly—why wouldn’t you want a clean, ad-free way to stream anime? Crunchyroll wants subscribers. Hayase just gives you the tools.

The real question: is this a battle over piracy… or over convenience?

(And why does every “anti-piracy” move feel like pushing a boulder uphill with a toothpick?)

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Blur Busters: TestUFO 3.0 Official Launch!

https://retrorgb.com/blur-busters-testufo-3-0-official-launch.html

Meet Mark from Blur Busters — the man who turned motion blur into a cult phenomenon with flying UFOs. Yep, those “UFO” tests you’ve seen in every high-end monitor review? He made them. And now, after years of beta testing, TestUFO 3.0 is officially live — and it’s basically the Avengers of display testing.

No more guessing why your screen looks “muddy” during fast motion. This site is a playground of nerd magic: BFI (Black Frame Insertion) tests that show you exactly how much blur disappears with flicker, a CRT simulator for retro-feel fans, and even an iPhone-friendly ghosting test where you wave your hand to see how well your monitor tracks motion. (Try it. You’ll feel like a spy.)

The new settings menu? Clean. The 10-bit PLUGE test? For color nerds who cry at “true black.” And the mouse poll rate tester? Because yes, your gaming mouse does need a pop quiz too.

But here’s the best part: you don’t need a lab. Just open it on your monitor, toggle between 60Hz and 144Hz, and watch the UFOs transform from smears to sharp streaks. Suddenly, you’ll get why premium displays cost more.

Go play. Your eyes will thank you — and so will your next monitor purchase. 🚀

(P.S. If you’ve ever squinted at a “motion blur” test and thought, “Wait… what am I seeing?” — this is your answer.)

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 4K Firmware v1.9.9.6 – Spatial Redistribution Masks

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-4k-firmware-v1-9-9-6-spatial-redistribution-masks.html

You ever wish your modern TV could just feel like a vintage CRT? Mike Chi and Tim Lottes just made that dream way closer to reality.

The new RetroTINK 4K firmware (v1.9.9.6) drops a game-changing feature: Spatial Redistribution Masks. Think of it as a smarter, brighter way to simulate those gorgeous CRT phosphor patterns—no HDR needed. The old mask tech dimmed your image; this version keeps the glow and the grain, making your Genesis or SNES look like it’s still glowing through a PVM monitor. And yes—it works even on 1080p.

Want proof? Load up Kuro’s PVM profile, switch to “Spatial Redist,” and watch those scanlines come alive without washing out your colors. It’s magic for Trinitron fans too, especially with the new 3840×1080@120 mode on OLEDs. Bonus: if your screen’s too bright, just bump up the scanline strength to 50+ and tweak gain—boom, perfect analog vibes.

The tech nerds will geek out over the pixel rules (no same-color edges! max two in a row!), but you just need to know this: if you love CRT emulation, update now. It’s not just an upgrade—it’s a revelation.

Download it. Try it. Thank us later.