Speccy Emulator News (with Sam Coupe Emulation)

• sound is doing some random beeping

Thanks for reporting this, I will check.

• loading the magazine (which uses video mode 3) shows that this is not implemented (nor is mode 2 and probably mode 1)

All three Coupe-specific screen modes are implemented. Mode 3 may currently draw half-a-screen though.

• attempting to load the screens, just freezes
• attempting to load e-tunes shows a screen and freezes

Will see what is going on.

• the border area is very small

This is done out of necessity, so that the screen does not look too small in mobile versions.

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 5.4 for Android today, a new version of my universal Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version (on sale this week)

This version is based on the latest Speccy 5.4 for Windows and Linux, released earlier this week, but adds a few more changes not found in the desktop version. It comes with many improvements and fixes to the Sam Coupe emulation, including support for .SCS and .SAD files, fixed SAA1099 PSG emulation, fixed palette transitions, and more. I have also majorly refactored snapshot and disk image loader code. If you encounter any new problems with the new Speccy, please, let me know ASAP.

As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

http://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

The complete version of Speccy, Speccy Deluxe, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week. See below for all the changes in this week's release.

ALL CHANGES:
* Based on latest Speccy 5.4 for Windows and Linux sources.
* Added support for loading and saving Sam Coupe Snapshot (.SCS) files.
* Added support for loading Sam Coupe Disk (.SAD) files.
* Added .SCS save option to Speccy built-in menu.
* Added separate functions for loading and saving in default state format.
* Fixed palette changes between Sam Coupe and ZX Spectrum modes.
* Fixed palette updates when rewinding in Sam Coupe mode.
* Fixed Sam Coupe light pen port, assuming no light pen for now.
* Fixed SAA1099 PSG sound.
* Fixed autoplay starting when loading a palette on ZX128.
* Somewhat improved Sam Coupe screen mode #3 rendering.
* Refactored code, moving snapshot loaders into separate source files.
* Refactored generic disk image library, adding .SAD loading and saving.
* Refactored scaling and special effects framework.

Have fun!

Sound and freezing up have been fixed in the mobile version. Desktop version will get the same fixes on the next release.

This usually means that there is something wrong with the file format. Going to check and fix.

Simply rename it to .SAD extension. I am going to add code that tries loading .DSK files as .SAD.

Well, it seemed to work for me, although I am unable to boot from this disk: BASIC reports that the disk has no operating system on it. Is this normal for this software?

Should be able to, but not without some external recorder app or system recording feature.

Just tested Defender on the latest (yet unreleased) desktop build and it works. It should, in principle, work on the Speccy-Android 5.4, since that release includes proper light pen port emulation. The current Windows/Linux release foolishly "plugs" your host mouse into light pen port, so it won't work.

Hello, All!

The free Speccy 5.5 for Windows and Linux is now available for download:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- homepage
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy55-Windows-bin.zip --Windows binary
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy55-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- Linux binary

This version adds proper emulation for Sam Coupe MODE3 display, support for more disk formats, fixes SAA1099 PSG sound and Sam Coupe light pen port. I have also added a simple CPU-based linear interpolation scaler, for cases where GPU-based interpolation is unfeasible. Finally, there is a bunch of other fixes and improvements. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Added proper Sam Coupe screen mode #3 display.
* Added handling of cases where .SAD disk image has .DSK extension.
* Added internal menu options for saving .SAD disk images.
* Added support for more raw disk image formats.
* Added simple CPU-based linear scaling algorithm.
* Added "-linear" command line option.
* Now disabling all trapdoor-based devices in Sam Coupe mode.
* Fixed reset when replacing disk image with LoadFile().
* Fixed auto-loading disk images in Spectrum +3 mode.
* Fixed palette updates when rewinding in Sam Coupe mode.
* Fixed light pen port, assuming no light pen for now.
* Fixed SAA1099 PSG sound.
* Added Speccy-Windows options for saving .SAD disk images.

Have fun!

Hello, All!

I have published Speccy 5.5 for Android today, a new version of my universal Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This version is based on the latest Speccy 5.5 for Windows and Linux, released earlier this week. It adds proper support for Sam Coupe's 512x192 MODE3 screen, more disk formats, and internal menu options to work with these formats. There are also multiple emulation fixes for Spectrum +3 and Sam Coupe modes.

As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

http://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

See below for all the changes in this week's release.

ALL CHANGES:
* Based on latest Speccy 5.5 for Windows and Linux sources.
* Added proper Sam Coupe screen mode #3 display.
* Added support for more raw disk image formats.
* Added handling of cases where .SAD disk image has .DSK extension.
* Added internal menu options for saving .SAD disk images.
* Added simple CPU-based linear scaling algorithm.
* Fixed reset when replacing disk image with LoadFile().
* Now disabling all trapdoor-based devices in Sam Coupe mode.
* Fixed auto-loading disk images in Spectrum +3 mode.

PS: AlmostTI, my Texas Instruments graphing calcs emulator, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.ati

Speccy Deluxe is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 5.6, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This release is based on the latest Speccy 5.6 for Windows and Linux, published last week. It fixes issues with loading some .TRD and .Z80 files.

Since Google no longer allows apps to access file system on Android10+ devices, the new Speccy will now access files via "content providers" on these devices. You may have to give the app permission to access your storage. Please, report any found problems to the support group or email me directly about them:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/emul8

As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

http://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Based on latest Speccy 5.6 for Windows and Linux sources.
* Fixed some .Z80 files not loading due to missing Interface I ROM.
* Fixed problem loading truncated .TRD files.
* Refactored app to comply with Google's latest ban on file I/O.
* On Android 10+, all file access is now done via content providers.
* Content is copied to a temporary folder for use, changes moved back on exit.
* You may have to give app separate permission to read each storage location.
* Fixed several crash sources that popped up after refactoring.
* Fixed handling of spaces and parentheses in "content://" URIs.
* Fixed list of volumes in "Change Folder" dialog.
* Fixed "Change Folder" functionality.

Merry Christmas!

Hello, All!

I have just released Speccy 5.6.2, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This release fixes opening Spectrum files from file managers and other apps and fixes user interface on newer AndroidTV devices. I have also enabled home screen shortcuts creation on more recent Android devices, As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

http://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Speccy Deluxe is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week.
* Fixed opening files from File Managers and other apps.
* Fixed file selection UI on newer AndroidTV devices.
* Enabled adding home screen shortcuts on newer devices.

Enjoy!

PS: Speccy Deluxe, the complete version of Speccy, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play until Tuesday.

The free Speccy 5.7 for Windows and Linux is now available for download:

http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/ -- homepage
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy57-Windows-bin.zip --Windows binary
http://fms.komkon.org/Speccy/Speccy57-Ubuntu-x86-bin.tgz -- Linux binary

This release enables punctuation keys in both Windows and Linux. Function keys should also work in Sam Coupe mode. To access emulator functions in Sam Coupe mode, press [CTRL]+[Fx] key combinations. Finally, Speccy will preserve custom colors (loaded from a .PAL file) when changing default palette setting. See below for all the changes.

ALL CHANGES:
* Punctuation keys now work in both ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe modes.
* Function keys now work in Sam Coupe mode.
* In Sam Coupe mode, press [CTRL]+[Fx] for emulation functions.
* In Sam Coupe mode, use [BACKQUOTE] for [EDIT] key.
* In Sam Coupe mode, use [BACKSLASH] for [INV] key.
* Preserving custom color entries when changing palette setting.
* Preserving Sam Coupe colors when changing palette setting.
* Added ASCII text injection functionality.

In related news, Speccy Deluxe, the complete Android version of the emulator, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play through Tuesday:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe

Have fun!

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 5.8, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This release is based on the latest Speccy 5.8 for Windows and Linux, published this week. It adds support for loading and saving Spectaculator .SZX snapshots. There is also a bunch of fixes to custom color palette handling.

As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

https://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Based on latest Speccy 5.8 for Windows and Linux sources.
* Added initial support for Spectaculator snapshot files (.SZX).
* Added internal menu option to save .SZX snapshots.
* Preserving custom color entries when changing palette setting.
* Preserving Sam Coupe colors when changing palette setting.
* Saving "Settings | Hardware | Palette" option.

PS: ColEm Deluxe, my complete ColecoVision and Coleco Adam emulator, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.colem.deluxe

Thanks, Dan! =)

[I have tried editing the Wiki product page, but since it does not allow other people to comment, I will not be able to provide support there. So, posting any news and accepting questions in the forum thread]

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 5.9.1, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This release fixes wave-to-melody feature and no longer starts tape when both auto-loading and fast-loading are enabled. I also had to refactor and simplify a lot of sound rendering code. As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

https://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed running tape with auto-load and fast-load both enabled.
* Fixed emulation running too fast with wave-to-melody enabled.
* Toggling MIDI logging also toggles melodic sound conversion.
* Refactored audio rendering code.

PS: Speccy Deluxe, the complete version of Speccy, is on $2.99 sale at Google Play this week:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 5.9.2, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

This release fixes resetting emulation to a new hardware model and adds options for disabling AY8910 sound chip and ULA+ video extension. I have also added Chinese translation, helpfully provided by David Chen. As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file to your Downloads folder:

https://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Fixed resetting emulation after selecting a new hardware model.
* Added Chinese translation made by David Chen.
* Added "Settings | Emulation | AY8910 PSG" option (on by default).
* Added "Settings | Emulation | ULA+ Video" option (on by default).
* Refactored Spectrum-specific settings mechanism.

Enjoy!

Hello, All!

I have released Speccy 5.9.3, a new version of my Sinclair ZX Spectrum and Sam Coupe emulator for Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy -- free version
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.speccy.deluxe -- full version

The new release targets Android 11 (SDK-30 API) and fixes a bunch of issues, including virtual gamepad on Android 12 devices and assigning gamepad buttons to ZX Spectrum keys. There is also support for newer AndroidTV devices.

Please, note that the method to get cheats back has changed in this version. As you remember, I had to disable cheat features to avoid Google staff banning Speccy from the store. You can easily reenable cheats though by downloading this file and CLICKING ON IT in the File Selector:

https://fms.komkon.org/EmuAndroid/Speccy-Cheats.zip

ALL CHANGES:
* Added support for newer Android TV versions using SAF.
* Hopefully fixed virtual gamepad issues on Android 12.
* Fixed gamepad button assignments to keyboard keys.
* Fixed vulnerability when unzipping files, as reported by Google.
* Fixed state files not getting deleted when requested.
* Fixed lost file handle issue detected by FDSAN.
* Fixed virtual gamepad shape reloading multiple times.
* Refactored virtual gamepad layout mechanism.
* Lowest supported Android version is Android 4.4 (SDK-19) now.
* Now targeting Android 11 (SDK-30).

Enjoy!