So this is my written article covering the Retroid Pocket Nova. This one might be interesting to you because as well as chatting to Retroid, I asked them to share a couple of the early design renders of the Nova with me to feature in here.

They said yes, and you can see some of the differences between what they were planning, and what we got!

Along with that I chatted to developers like those behind Leaf Studio, rootComputer: the Steam Curator behind Is it 4:3 (the page covering all the PC games they add to their collection, which is super apt for the Nova), and bmdhacks, a friend and dev from ARMSX2.

Naturally I cover the usual things in here, but I thought these might be interesting too!

Hope you enjoy it :)

 

So this is my written article covering the Retroid Pocket Nova. This one might be interesting to you because as well as chatting to Retroid, I asked them to share a couple of the early design renders of the Nova with me to feature in here.

They said yes, and you can see some of the differences between what they were planning, and what we got!

Along with that I chatted to developers like those behind Leaf Studio, rootComputer: the Steam Curator behind Is it 4:3 (the page covering all the PC games they add to their collection, which is super apt for the Nova), and bmdhacks, a friend and dev from ARMSX2.

Naturally I cover the usual things in here, but I thought these might be interesting too!

Hope you enjoy it :)

[–] [S] 2 points 1 week ago

But I do still think search would be nice

I gave them all my feedback, and they have said that firmware updates will bring this and other features in as improvements. This isn't in users' hands yet, so (ironically) my waffling review actually did some help for them and users who end up with them!

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  • [–] [S] 3 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Hi there!

    I am not Gardiner, but he is one of my best friends! While you'll know Gardiner from his YouTube (I assume!), he and I run the site together, equally. His focus will be no surprise to you, but mine is almost entirely the gaming scene, and then some forays into new things :)

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Edit: worth saying: thanks for posting this though, I am interested in seeing gadgets and it is an interesting design and has unique features.

    Thank you! Don't worry, zero offense taken! These things are pretty niche these days, so you're well and truly in the majority with that POV!

    I can take my phone and stream music from my server. If I really want to I can download to the phone (simple drag and drop KDE connect style or syncthing if I want to go that route). I use only FLAC by the way.

    This is the important part here, the quality of those files is dependent on the DAC your phone has. Phones don't place much emphasis on high-quality DAC implementation because they’re built more for things like for convenience, battery life, and mass-market audio (think Bluetooth earbuds and streaming compression). They’ll play your FLACs for sure, but the internal DAC and amp stage are usually an afterthought rather than a focus.

    This one's built around the Cirrus Logic CS43198 chip, which has one purpose in life: make sound good!

    In the end these won't be super convenient for most. But there's plenty of people who want to drop using their phone for everything now, or who want to try out a new way of listening to music.

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  • [–] [S] 23 points 1 week ago (6 children)

    A few months back I had a grand plan about buying a ton of options, going from entry level to high-end, a refurbished and done up iPod, a Zune, a feature on the PSP's sound capabilities...but after two or three I got distracted

    Reviewing this was a pleasure, and reminded me why something like this little fellow is magic for music. The sound difference between FLAC on this V.S. streaming is enormous!

    I'm so glad you liked my artivle/review/impressions! :)

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  • [–] [S] 18 points 1 week ago* (1 child)

    Good point, I should have been a little clearer with my wording. The hypervisor technique itself isn't a Linux invention, and you're right that the underlying method originated from Windows research.

    The Linux angle is more about how the community has been applying it now: using Proton/Wine compatibility layers to run Windows games on Linux in a way that interacts differently with Denuvo's checks. That distinction is what made it interesting from a totally Linux gaming perspective, especially given how unusual it is for Linux compatibility layers to become part of the discussion around a major DRM breakthrough.

    I'll update the article wording because "Linux-based breakthrough" makes it sound like Linux created the exploit itself, which isn't what I intended!

    Dodi was lovely. At the time he was literally getting married (the day before, of or after...I forget exactly which!), in Egypt which is his home. FitGirl is far funnier than I expected, we used to check in every now and then, but that has long-since ended. She's also got an iron-clad no press rule nowdays. Empress was brilliant, I'll fight tooth and nail on that, in the early days she was brilliant. But...that 'front' wasn't put up, she was and is quite 'unique' in her views.

    There was a few others too, I found it really interesting to reach out to these names, they were all just quite surprised because few ever did!

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  • [–] [S] 17 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    Oh how fun, you shared the same comment on two posts. Here's the same reply I left on your other one:

    Hi there!

    I'm the author. Not only have I chatted to Voices, but I did an AMA with Dodi, organized the same with FitGirl (which didn't actually happen), and even chatted to Empress. Which...wasn't very fun. I've interviewed KaOs and also the gentleman behind Ghost eShop for jailbroken Switches. This is just to say I know the scene, and I know the people.

    Denuvo has been almost universally cracked since the start of this year, author sounds pretty out of date to be talking as if this is a recent development.

    Seems there was about 20 games released this year with Denuvo. Voices has changed the scene a lot, but he can only do so much. Now he's using A.I. to help with his process this is speeding up a ton, but he cannot possibly keep up with 'demand' as it were. I found four he's done, for 2026 releases:

    • Resident Evil Requiem (February 2026)
    • PRAGMATA (April 2026)
    • LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (May 2026)
    • 007 First Light (May 2026)

    It certainly hasn't been "universally cracked". It will get quicker, but it is still an effort. One game every two weeks or so at the moment.

    universally cracked

    This is not only a stretch, it isn't true. The fun thing is that he has cracked 2026's build, and then their updated build, then a day one release. From a technical POV, it is super interesting to see.

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  • [–] [S] 21 points 1 week ago

    Hey there.

    No, it is not easily removed within days. I'm more impressed than most by Voices, but he has cracked four games released in 2026 so far.

    Is this just an ad?

    It is news. Did you know this before my post? If not, we call this 'learning something from news'

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  • [–] [S] 31 points 1 week ago (3 children)

    Hi there!

    I'm the author. Not only have I chatted to Voices, but I did an AMA with Dodi, organized the same with FitGirl (which didn't actually happen), and even chatted to Empress. Which...wasn't very fun. I've interviewed KaOs and also the gentleman behind Ghost eShop for jailbroken Switches. This is just to say I know the scene, and I know the people.

    Denuvo has been almost universally cracked since the start of this year, author sounds pretty out of date to be talking as if this is a recent development.

    Seems there was about 20 games released this year with Denuvo. Voices has changed the scene a lot, but he can only do so much. Now he's using A.I. to help with his process this is speeding up a ton, but he cannot possibly keep up with 'demand' as it were. I found four he's done, for 2026 releases:

    • Resident Evil Requiem (February 2026)
    • PRAGMATA (April 2026)
    • LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (May 2026)
    • 007 First Light (May 2026)

    It certainly hasn't been "universally cracked". It will get quicker, but it is still an effort. One game every two weeks or so at the moment.

    universally cracked

    This is not only a stretch, it isn't true. The fun thing is that he has cracked 2026's build, and then their updated build, then a day one release. From a technical POV, it is super interesting to see.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 2 weeks ago

    "Excellent write-up! SBCGaming is one of the communities I miss most and I love your breakdown."

    Thank you! Sorry you've had to give up some communities, but it is nice that you've stayed strong and landed here in stead. I do share each retro handheld review I do on here, so you'll see them over time as a (terrible) consolation prize! I have the TRIMUI Brick Hammer Pro U, the Retroid Pocket Nova, Anbernic's RG 55G1 and...one more I forget still coming to review, too :)

    "Should ‘Pro’ denote an upgrade? Probably; but things are really hinky in the electronic parts department, and a more comfortable playing experience is likely worth it to some."

    I think that is the finnicky part. No one really finds this a 'Pro' upgrade, but for what it does (especially PSX on this for me), it is a beautiful and fun time :)

    Thanks for reading through and enjoying it. I appreciate it!

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    The TRIMUI Brick Pro is one of the most interesting retro handhelds to come out lately. Typically these companies beef up the processors and specs for a 'sequel', but TRIMUI kept the same insides and just built a bigger body with thumbsticks.

    They've got this one I reviewed, the TRIMUI Brick Pro, but they also have a far more powerful (and far more expensive) Android model made from metal coming out soon also. Anyway, this is the Linux/plastic version I've reviewed.

    I just reviewed whether the unchanged Allwinner A133P holds it back, how the larger display and Hall effect thumbsticks change the experience, and whether this could ever become a compelling Linux handheld to buy for custom firmware fans.

    I also spoke with my friend Frysee from NextUI and long-time TRIMUI community member Kyle to get perspectives from both the developers building for the platform and the fans who love it, just for something different in this review.

    As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is refinement enough? Or do you think "Pro" should more power?

    As ever, if you don't want to read through a far-too-long review, you can just ask me whatever you'd like here and I'll be happy to answer. Though it is nighttime here and I'm about to go to bed, so if I don't reply for 7 or 8 hours, it is because I'm asleep!

     

    The TRIMUI Brick Pro is one of the most interesting retro handhelds to come out lately. Typically these companies beef up the processors and specs for a 'sequel', but TRIMUI kept the same insides and just built a bigger body with thumbsticks.

    They've got this one I reviewed, the TRIMUI Brick Pro, but they also have a far more powerful (and far more expensive) Android model made from metal coming out soon also. Anyway, this is the Linux/plastic version I've reviewed.

    I just reviewed whether the unchanged Allwinner A133P holds it back, how the larger display and Hall effect thumbsticks change the experience, and whether this could ever become a compelling Linux handheld to buy for custom firmware fans.

    I also spoke with my friend Frysee from NextUI and long-time TRIMUI community member Kyle to get perspectives from both the developers building for the platform and the fans who love it, just for something different in this review.

    As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is refinement enough? Or do you think "Pro" should more power?

    As ever, if you don't want to read through a far-too-long review, you can just ask me whatever you'd like here and I'll be happy to answer. Though it is nighttime here and I'm about to go to bed, so if I don't reply for 7 or 8 hours, it is because I'm asleep!

    submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by [M] to c/games@lemmy.world
     

    A few weeks ago I wrote about taking a chance on a cheap "junk" PSP-2000 from Japan, replacing its faulty charging port, and ending up with one of the nicest handhelds I own.. One of many PSP's I've bought though.

    Quite a few people here on Lemmy reached out afterwards asking about jailbreaking, or just sharing that they planned to buy UMDs for it. I guess this article is my answer (or maybe just yet another thinly veiled excuse to write about my favorite old handheld...the PSP) to that.

    Rather than another super technical wiki, I wanted to write a bit of step-by-step with just pictures of all of it. I cover installing ARK-4 custom firmware, setting up a microSD card, loading games, movies and music, a handful of homebrew recommendations. I really, really love Sony's PSP. I think as far as industrial design language goes, you just can't beat it.

    So if you've recently picked up a PSP, are thinking about picking one up, or have one sitting in a drawer gathering dust, I hope this helps you give it a second life!

    And if you don't want to read through, then ask me here and I'm more than happy to recommend things to you.

     

    A few weeks ago I wrote about taking a chance on a cheap "junk" PSP-2000 from Japan, replacing its faulty charging port, and ending up with one of the nicest handhelds I own.. One of many PSP's I've bought though.

    Quite a few people here on Lemmy reached out afterwards asking about jailbreaking, or just sharing that they planned to buy UMDs for it. I guess this article is my answer (or maybe just yet another thinly veiled excuse to write about my favorite old handheld...the PSP) to that.

    Rather than another super technical wiki, I wanted to write a bit of step-by-step with just pictures of all of it. I cover installing ARK-4 custom firmware, setting up a microSD card, loading games, movies and music, a handful of homebrew recommendations. I really, really love Sony's PSP. I think as far as industrial design language goes, you just can't beat it.

    So if you've recently picked up a PSP, are thinking about picking one up, or have one sitting in a drawer gathering dust, I hope this helps you give it a second life!

    And if you don't want to read through, then ask me here and I'm more than happy to recommend things to you.

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