GoKawiil
Tech News
ANBERNIC has released the RG 55G1, a sub-$150 Android handheld resembling the Nintendo Switch Lite, alongside the RG DS Plus, a dual-screen device modeled after the Nintendo DS Lite and DSi. A reviewer who tested both for several weeks recommends the RG 55G1 for most buyers, citing its build quality, plastic back, glass front, and control layout, despite noting it's heavier than the Switch Lite at 339 grams.
Cocoon, a launcher frontend built for Android gaming handhelds, has released a 3.1 beta update centered on an 'Enhanced Device Access' mode that lets users suspend, resume, and switch between games from the home screen grid. The update also adds performance tweaks for lower-spec devices, a resizable grid editor, precise battery percentage readouts, and dual-screen output swapping. The beta is available via sideload on GitHub and includes an auto-updater.
Anbernic has begun removing the option to buy its Android gaming handhelds with pre-loaded microSD cards, according to reports. The change comes just days after the company faced accusations that these bundled cards contained pirated games.
Valve released an Arm version of SteamOS following its Snapdragon-powered Steam Frame headset, and developers hashtagbasit and MaSieS4Fun quickly adapted it to run on Android handhelds. The port can be installed from a microSD card on devices including the AYN Odin 2 family, AYN Thor, Retroid Pocket 6, and several AYANEO Pocket models, letting users try SteamOS without wiping internal storage. Android Authority tested the MaSieS4Fun build on an AYN Odin 2 Portal and reported it booted and set up successfully after first installing the Rocknix ABL bootloader.
Developer Mr. Rubik is preparing an update for the Nintendo DS-themed Nitrodeck Launcher that lets it run across two screens on Android handhelds like the Anbernic RG DS. A demo video shows the launcher working smoothly, including a recreation of the DS startup screen, with the update expected on the Play Store within a week or two.