Unijoysticle

VChar64 v0.2.2 released Download: Mac: vchar64-0.2.2.mac.dmg Win32: vchar64-0.2.2.win32.zip Source code: https://github.com/ricardoquesada/vchar64/ Release notes here: https://github.com/ricardoquesada/vchar64/releases/tag/0.2.2 UniJoystiCle news I started working on the paddle/mouse support. I’m using an ESP32 instead of the ESP8266. Progress is documented here (spanish): UniJoystiCle + Paddle/Mouse support progress Commodore Home news It was featured in Hack-a-day. Yay! https://hackaday.com/2016/11/20/commodore-home-your-smart-home-for-1983/ It won the 3rd prize in the Retro Challenge (winning Issue #1 of Eight Bit magazine). Yay! http://www.retrochallenge.org/

Christmas is coming. Treat yourself with The UniJoystiCle v0.4, and be the cool kid in the block by playing The Uni Games like a pro (that’s it with real unicycles!): Highlights of v0.4 WiFi Device Smaller real estate: Fits in all C64/128 models, including the C128D / SX-64 machines Using Wemos D1 Mini instead of NodeMCU Blue instead of red Firmware New WiFi modes: Station and WPS modes Auto-reset joystick state after inactivity timeout Online-firmware update Stats: How many joystick movements How many seconds spent in joystick movements Clients Android Client: Yay, Android has its own client. Similar to iOS, but without the Gyruss mode. Supports any Android game controller like OUYA, Amazon Fire, Moya, etc. Desktop Client: Supports Dpad, Commando and Commodore Home modes Windows version: Supports any Xinput game controller (like the Xbox 360 or newer controllers) Mac version: Supports any MFi game controller iOS Client: Added Commodore Home mode Supports both MFi and iCade game controllers Read the complete Changelog here. ...

UniJoystiCle v0.4.0-RC (Release Candidate) released. Mega update! Download: iOS client v0.4.6: App Store Android client v0.4.10: Google Play macOS client v0.4.0: UniJoystiCle Controller.dmg win32 client v0.4.0: unijoysticle_controller.win32.zip Firmware v0.4.5: unijoysticle_firmware.bin Source code + schematic + layout: https://github.com/ricardoquesada/unijoysticle Latest versions can be downloaded from here: http://ricardoquesada.github.io/unijoysticle/ Summary: Use your Xbox game controllers to play C64 games! (from the Win32 client) Use any iOS or Android game controller to play C64 games! (from the iOS/ Android client) Play games like Commando and Turrican II by only using your game controller. “Space” is mapped to button “B”. There is no need to press the “spacebar” Put your device in Station mode (share your local Wifi network). Full Changelog: ...

Home automation for the masses, not the classes We need to build computers for the masses, not the classes - Jack Tramiel, Commodore founder A: Commodore 64 computer running the “Commodore Home” application B: UniJoystiCle WiFi device connected to the joystick ports C: Alarm sensor using a WiFi device D: Smartphone running the UniJoystiCle Controller app with the Commodore Home plugin E: Commodore MPS 803 printer F: Pulleys + gears connected to the printer header + dimmer knot About Why pay hundreds of dollars to automate your home, when you can automate it for free with existing tools/computers that you might already have in your garage? ...

I started building the C64 I.D.IoT.R a few months ago, but never finished it. What better than to finish it for the Retro Challenge contest. C64 I.D.IoT.R is a smart light controlled from a C64. Its name means: C64: Commodore 64 I: Intelligent D: Dimmer IoT: Internet Of Things: R: RRRRR What I have done so far is this: (and is not part of the contest since I built it two months ago): ...

TL;DR Station Mode (with or without WPS) Inactivity timeout & Joystick statistics Auto-firmware upgrade Better ways to power the WiFi device Station mode and other features One thing that bothered me was that I needed to switch WiFi networks every time that I wanted to use the UniJoystiCle. Not a major issue, but not ideal specially if you use your phone both for the UniJoystiCle and for “regular” stuff. ...

Since UniJoystiCle v0.3 was released back in July many things were added. Android client: It has all the iOS features, except Gyruss mode which will be added soon. iOS client: It is available on the App Store. Gyruss mode: Allows you to control the direction (up/down/left/right) using gravity. Linear mode: This was designed to control the header of the MPS-803 printer. More on this on a future blog post. D-pad mode + Game Controllers: You can use any iOS or Android game controller to play any C64 game. You can even use button “B” to jump, or swap buttons “A” and “B”. ...

I’ve just released a new firmware version for the UniJoystiCle (v0.4.0). It supports the new Commando Mode. The new Android client with Commando mode can be downloaded from here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=moe.retro.unijoysticle The iOS client will be available as soon as Apple approves it (usually a few days) and will be available here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/unijoysticle-controller/id1130131741?mt=8 In order to upgrade the firmware, please follow these steps: DOCUMENTATION.md The Commando mode allows you to play games that: ...

Here are more UniJoystiCle videos: Showing how to play C64 games using a real Game Controller via the UniJoystiCle: Showing how to play Gyruss using the UniJoystiCle Gyruss mode: ...

Two weeks ago I attended the Commodore Vegas Expo XII, and last week I’ve been at the Vintage Computer Festival West XI. CommVEx XII As the name describes it, it was a Commodore Expo in Las Vegas. But the format is a mix between conference and expo. It is a real expo, but with the social part of a conference. It is friendly and casual. People give talks in a very informal way. I gave a talk + live demo about the UniJoystiCle. Everything went well except that in the middle of the demo my phone’s glass broke. But that wasn’t an issue since the accelerometer kept working. ...