The timing couldn’t have been more perfect with the explosion of retro gaming and the thirst for more powerful handhelds able to play GameCube, PS2 and other hard to emulate consoles, especially on screens larger than the typical squint inducing 3.5-inch size that had dominated. Topping it off with high end Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB of RAM, Android operating system and HDMI out sent the community into a frenzy.

Fortunately, the frenzy lasted just long enough for Ayn to get their Odin handheld console to market early 2022 and the retro gaming community was not disappointed. It was fast, fresh, and delivered on what had been promised. While it wasn’t as cheap as many of the handheld consoles that came before the Odin did prove that there was a market for high quality, powerful retro gaming consoles. So much so that we here at ByteChronicles put our own hard-earned cash down to secure a Pro model.

The hardware

From the outset Ayn was determined to provide 2 version of the Odin Android gaming console, a value oriented Lite model and a performance Pro model. The more expensive Pro model ($577 AUD) is based on the Snapdragon 845 chipset and the Lite ($345) model is based on the Dimensity 900 chipset. The Lite models are significantly cheaper while not being too far behind the 845 chipset performance wise, making the Lite great value for money. While the Pro model remains the no compromise performance model to get.

Hardware wise both models are very similar, with 6-inch touch screen, 4/6/8 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of on-board storage depending on the model. Connectivity is fully covered with WiFi 5, BlueTooth 5/5.2, HDMI out and USB C. The controls set the Odin aside from gaming on an Android phone, everything is built to make it comfortable to game; dual analogue sticks, analogue R2 and L2 triggers, all within easy reach. The only criticism I have of the console is the analogue sticks are the smaller Switch Lite sized sticks, chunky Vita sized sticks would have made the console unbeatable. In fact, the D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons could all be made larger.

If you are curious about the difference between the models the Reddit OdinHandheld page has a great comparison table with all the details you could ever need.

Critical to keeping the frame rates high using high performance chipsets is active cooling. Odin keeps everything cool with large passive cooling heatsinks that are backed up with a fan for active cooling. Switching the Odin up to performance mode will engage the fan but it is barely noticeable.

Why not just use your mobile phone?

Many may argue that a modern mobile phone is faster and with strap on controllers like the Razer Kishi you can turn your phone into a handheld console just like the Odin. This may be true to an extent but there is still great value in having a separate Android device dedicated to just gaming. No interruptions, settings tweaked just as they need to be, and always ready to go. Then there is the fact that if you game regularly you will find yourself out of battery at the worst possible time., Murphy’s Law will kick in eventually. But that is down to personal preferences at the end of the day.

Gaming Options?

Being compact and powerful affords the Odin many gaming options that can be put to good use on the couch, on the go or where ever the gaming itch finds you.

• Android Gaming
• Retro gaming emulating consoles up to PS2, GameCube and Wii
• Game streaming including X-Box Game Pass and Stadia
• Local game streaming from Nvidia or AMD equipped PC’s

For a complete guide to getting setup and a comprehensive list of gaming options please see Retro Game Corps excellent Getting Started Guide

Conclusion

After ordering our unit in early 2022 and waiting what felt like an eternity, nearly 4 months, the delivery of the Odin was probably the most anticipated unboxing this year. That may have something to do with the wait, but it was honestly also the gaming abilities of this new gadget.

After getting our game on we also discovered that there is actually more benefits to having Android on board. After installing non-gaming apps; Spotify,  TuneIn Radio and YouTube it became apparent that having another Android device to run these apps on has been extremely useful and has offset the desire to buy a small tablet to use as a music and media device.

Without a doubt this is the best retro handheld gaming console thus far this year. The build quality is top notch, the screen is beautiful and the console itself is comfortable even after hours of gaming. With the power to play PS2 / Wii and GameCube generation games there is an almost endless catalogue to play through. Add the opportunity to revisit classic consoles such as PS1, Dreamcast and MegaDrive on the large screen with increased resolution and you have a frighteningly large collection of games to work though. Add to this the ability to stream games from the many cloud platforms and you have an incredible gaming platform in the palm of your hands.

If you’re a retro gaming fan or just like to game away from you’re main PC or console then this is THE must have console of the year, so far. At this point in time only the new generation of Windows handhelds such as the SteamDeck or Aya Neo can surpass Odin.

Score 9/10 – With larger buttons and analogue sticks this would be a 10 out of 10

Reference: AynTec Store

Reference: Ayn Odin Kickstarter

Retro Gamer Corp: Odin Starter Guide

The post The Ayn Odin Handheld Console, the Gaming Gods are Pleased… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

DIY Perks has done several PS5 customizations but his latest is just on a whole other level. With hand-built water cooling and heat spreaders, outer casing that acts as a heatsink and external power supply and radiators this is a no compromise dream machine. An amazing example of a man chasing an idea, building that image in his mind no matter the effort and hurdles that must be overcome.

Presented for your viewing pleasure are he build videos for two PS5 dream machines made by the wizard of customization, the man with the plan DIY Perks. Sit back relax and prepare to be amazed how much work chasing your dreams involves.

Reference: DIY Perks YouTube

The post The PlayStation 5 Slim that Sony Wish they’d Built… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

In the early days of the Floppy drive orchestra the instruments consisted of a handful of 3.5 inch floppy drives strung together to make fabulously lo-fi renditions of our favourite tunes. Over time the number of drives in the orchestra’s grew and other types of abandoned hardware were auditioned and added to the line-up.

Paweł Zadrożniak is one of the great assemblers and conductors of floppy drive orchestras. After years of evolution his Floppotron has grown to become the pinnacle of this genre of musical collective. With 512 floppy drives, scanners, and hard drives all playing in unison to produce the glorious cacophony that is a Floppotron performance.

Presented for your viewing pleasure is first performance of Floppottron V3.0, the latest evolution of the Floppotron orchestra. For posterity we also present the classic performances that have drawn publicity from around the world for the Floppotron orchestras. Sit back relax and prepare to grin widely while annoying all within 6 feet range of your speakers.

Reference: Paweł Zadrożniak Blog

Reference: Paweł Zadrożniak YouTube

The post The Floppy Drive Orchestra, Floppotron 3.0. appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

Not to say that mechanical gear boxes don’t exist, they most certainly do, and they are incredibly fascinating to watch, and build. Like magic these magnetic gear boxes operate without physical contact. Operating based on the invisible laws of magnetic attraction, the most fundamental magnetic principle, opposites attract. At their simplest the gear being driven sets the pole of the stator bolts between the gears, which then causes the other gears magnets to be pushed away from one pole and attracted to the opposite pole.

Currently there are only a few limited applications for the magnetic gearbox, due to the amount of energy lost driving the gears. However the unique ability to operate without direct contact allows the mechanical motion to pass right through physical barriers. Making magnetic gear boxes practical for mixing chemicals in a vacuum or pumping cooling liquids around a nuclear reactor.

Presented for your viewing pleasure are some the strangely satisfying videos of magnetic gearboxes in action. Sit back relax and enjoy watching the magic made possible by the laws of magnetic attraction.

Reference: Wikipedia – Magnetic Gears

Reference: Magnetic Games

Reference: K&J Magnetics

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After experimenting with LED panels Michael managed to combine 6 LED panels containing a matrix of 64 x 64 LED’s into a single self-enclosed LED cube. A cube that contains a crazy 24,576 individual LED’s. Being a software engineer creating the cube was only the first step, Michael has also created software applications for playing games, watching videos, and generally turning it into an illuminated mater piece.

Presented for your viewing pleasure is the man himself discussing the journey to create the ultimate mega LED Cube. Sit back, relax and prepare to be dazzled by the Cube.

Via: Awesomer

Reference: Michael Cann Blog – The Cube

Reference: Michael Cann YouTube

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Artists who choose kinetic sculptures as their form of expression use the art of motion as their voice. Creating visually stunning installations that generate optical illusions through unusual forms, internal shapes, and movement.

Like optical illusions kinetic sculptures generate a certain relaxing effect that calms the mind, almost like watching the flames of a fire lick and flare around the wood being slowly consumed. These sculptures calm the mind while amusing the brain with wonder of how is the impossible being achieved.

David Roy and Anthony Howe are two premier examples of kinetic artists that have found their voice within the art of motion. Through the marriage of art and engineering they both design and build highly complex installations that use shapes and motion to stunning effect.

Presented for your viewing pleasure are incredible examples of art in motion. Kinetic sculptures that will relax the mind and stimulate your senses. Sit back, relax, and let the clockwork mechanisms slowly help you unwind.

The post Kinetic Sculptures, the Art of Motion… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

As concerning as deep fakes can seem to be they are also just the result of evolving technology. The special effects we love to see so much in movies are just another aspect of the same technology. Incredibly clever tools used for deep fake that combine the very latest machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms are the same tools used to generate realistic special effects. The only difference really is the intention of the person driving the software, hyper realistic special effect, or disturbing celebrity deep fake porn. Same toolset, different intention.

Presented for your viewing pleasure are some of the finest examples of video forgeries to grace the internet. Evidence of the advancements of software and proof that people can be hilarious when they take a break from being jerks. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the mind-bending ride.

The Guardian – Burt Reynolds: I regret turning down Bond

Wikipedia: Deep Fakes

The post The Funniest Deep Fakes – Burt Reynolds as James Bond and more… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

Crafted from PVC and with intelligence moulded through mechanical connections the strandbeests come to life with the breath of the wind. As visually stunning as they are cleverly engineered the strandbeests use the force of the wind to push them forward. The many generations using the energy of the wind in wonderfully different ways. Some use the winds slow push forward, others use the circular motion of windmill blades, and some even use compressed air as the basis of motion.

The Strandbeest family tree traces the evolution of these unique forms of life, born of pure imagination new beasts are created each year. Winters cold embrace is the time of ideas, spring’s gentle breezes draws the new beasts to the beach where they spring to life. Summers heat sends them scuttling back to their homes and autumn sees them taken to the bone yard ready for the cycle of life to begin again the following year.

Presented for you viewing pleasure is the strangely satisfying evolution of the strandbeests. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the very unusual form of life that appears on Dutch beaches every year.

“By developing this evolution, I hope to become wiser in the understanding of existing nature by encountering myself the problems of the real Creator.”

Theo Jansen

Theo Jansel – Standbeests

The post Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests, Kinetic Lifeforms… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

Presented for your viewing pleasure is the latest instalment of ‘Mean Tweets, like laughing at people falling over let the celebrity pain help you feel the warm glow of humour, even if only for a moment. Sit back, relax, and remember to have your laughing pants on for this one.

The post Jimmy Kimmel’s Celebrities Read Mean Tweets #13 appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

Byte Chronicles will bring a new name and look to the site but there will be other changes you may notice over the next few months. These changes will be designed to improve the sites usability and hopefully make everyone’s time on the site more fun.

Please hang in there with us while we make the transition to a new site, we are bound to stuff some things up but you can rest assured we will try to do it in the most humorous way possible.

The post Highpants Rebranding, Welcome to the Byte Chronicles appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

Two new handhelds have fought their way up from the street, made it through Kickstarter training camp and are now ready to take the fight to the champion. All in the hopes of making it to the top and fight it out for our hard earn money.

Aya Neo

In the red corner we have the up-and-coming champion Aya Neo. This new contender has garnered a lot of attention over the last 4 months with the appearance of their Founder Edition handheld. The form factor here is pure handheld resembling a Switch Lite on steroids.  

At the heart of the Neo is an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U 6 core APU with 16GB DDR4-LPDDR4X RAM and between 512GB and 1TB of storage. The 7’ IPS touch screen has a resolution of 1280×800. While connectivity includes 3 USB-C ports that allow the Neo to connect controllers and USB-C docks. Wireless connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connections. All up the system weighs in at 650 grams.

The overall build quality and internal construction seems quite good and the price is low, expected to sell for around $699 USD, making this exceptional value. The Aya Neo will hit Indiegogo shortly and will be available in April.

GPD Win 3

In the blue corner we have the latest mobile masterpiece from the GPD, the GPD Win 3. GPD have for many years produced micro machines capable of running Windows 10. The GPD Win 3 is by far the most powerful and probably the prettiest so far. But good looks don’t win title fights.

The GPD Win 3 uses Intel’s latest Core i7-1165G7 Tiger Lake CPU with Xe integrated graphics. There is also a slightly cheaper version that runs the equivalent i5, but that won’t be taking part in this title fight. The GPD Win 3 weighs in at 560 grams.

A Thunderbolt docking station is available from GPD and it give the GPD the ability to operate as a full-blown PC with network, USB and HDMI to connect a monitor. This gives the Win 3 much flexibility and the ability to function as a daily driver PC.

The layout of the controls isn’t perfect with the dual analogue’s, D-Pad and buttons placed very close to the edges of the device. This is offset by the linear analogue triggers on L2 and R2 which provides progressive control for racing games that is a first for a handheld of this type.

A backlit keyboard lives under the slide out screen, but by all accounts, it is not the most usable keyboard, most reviewers say it is adequate for entering your password. Which is not really required as there is a fingerprint reader that works well.

The GPD Win 3 employees exceptional build quality and materials to produce a premium feel and charges a premium price expected to be around $1000 USD when it launches. Check out it’s Indiegogo page for more details. The Win 3 should be available in March.

Aya Neo V GPD Win 3

From a hardware perspective both the Aya Neo and GPD Win 3 are far more powerful than the Switch Lite and incorporate well refined controls and a convincing gaming experience.

Offering PC gamers the ability to have their entire game collection in the palm of their hands gives this new generation of handheld an advantage over the Switch, it is a very enticing option for Windows gamers.

Of the two PC contenders the winner depends on the direction you come at it from. If you want the better pure gaming experience the Aya Neo is the winner. With the larger screen, purest gamer design and more powerful hardware the Neo takes it.

If you are after a compact Windows machine that can game on the go and do double duty as a productivity machine the GPD Win 3 is for you. With a smaller screen, compromised controller layout and the most annoying keyboard ever the Win 3’s gaming credentials are little compromised. However, when you add the dock, extra port, fingerprint reader you have a powerful gaming handheld that can be your daily desktop PC as well. Also, if build quality and design are important then the GPD has the advantage.

Everyone V Switch

If it comes down to a street brawl the Windows handhelds win every time, but in a popularity competition the Switch wins hands down. But in all honesty, it comes down to the games. Do you love PC gaming or are you a fan of Nintendoes eclectic gaming experience.

The Switch also has the advantage that the games are made to be played on a handheld with joycon controllers. The biggest challenge for the Windows handhelds is the fact that PC games are typically made to be played using a keyboard and mouse. If you can handle playing your PC games using a controller then you will have a whole lot of fun with either of the Windows handhelds.

As a gaming gadget the Switch Lite is just about perfect. The hardware is just powerful enough to run the games, it has plenty of battery life and its light and extremely comfortable in the hand. From this perspective the Switch retains its ‘Gaming on the Go’ crown but the Windows Handhelds are definitely the only show in town if you want to play Windows games anywhere, anytime.

Related: The Verge – Were getting closer to Switch sized gaming PC
Related: WEPC – New Handheld Gaming Console…
Related: PC Gamer – Intel Xe Powered PC Handheld…

The post Windows 10 Handhelds: Switch Style Windows Gaming on the Go… appeared first on Byte Chronicles.

So, when we stumbled across the Tivoo Max, a new gadget that combines portable high-quality audio, retro styling and pixel art, we couldn’t resist banging it on the company credit card. Just don’t tell the boss! If he finds out we figure we can just say it was for review purposes, content is king after all.

With design flair straight out of the 1950’s, looking much like a TV from the era, the Max makes a striking first impression. It’s VERY easy to fall in love with.

At its core though the Max is a 40watt 2.1 Bluetooth speaker with a ported sub-woofer, DSP driven surround sound and enough battery power for 10 hours of playback time. Separating it from the rest of the crowded wireless speaker market is the large 20cm pixel art display adorning the front of the unit. Each of the large LED pixels on the 16 x 16 display can switch between 16 million colours, making the animations bright, colourful and just a little hypnotic.

The key to getting the most out of the Max is the Divoom mobile app. Once they are both paired the display springs to life with festive applications for every occasion, beat matching waveforms and real time social media updates. The Max has cool factor to spare. You can even convert pictures to pixel art or create your own masterpieces by hand.

Day to day the Max is responsible for providing the tunes we rely on to get us through. The sound it produces is clear and bright with ample bass and enough volume to allow us to hear it from every corner of the office. In fact, we took it to the team Christmas party and it filled a large dining hall with glorious clean sound, our song selection might have been questionable but it was very clean sounding. I would easily put the funky Max up against more expensive Sony or JBL Bluetooth speakers when it comes to audio quality. Of course, if you need a rugged waterproof speaker stick with the Sony.

While the Max is pumping out the tunes in the office it is also providing chronological information, letting us know the impending deadline is fast approaching. As a time-peace the Max can display a multitude of faces, but we keep it simple during the day.

As you keep toying with the Max’s mobile app you realize Divoom were not joking when they said there are 30 built in functions. Day to day you could make use of the smart alarm clock, voice memo, thermometer with weather conditions, schedule planner and 24 professional sleep-aid profiles with more white noises than a pod of whales. When it’s time to party there are pixel games, DJ mixer and endless entertainment resources with 50000 Internet radio stations.

We can confidently say that around the office there is complete consensus, this is the coolest gadget we’ve recently acquired. That barely ever happens around here. For example it hasn’t helped when it comes to music selection, for that we still resort to rock paper scissor wars.

We picked up our Max from the Divoom site for $129.99 USD, at that price it is 100 bucks cheaper than the equivalent Sony or JBL Bluetooth speaker, and neither of them include a hypnotic pixel art display. The Max comes in a wide range of colours, as long as you’re after Black, Red or White. If you’re looking to add a little cool retro chic to your home or office and need a simple audio solution check out the Tivoo Max.

Reference: Divoom Website

The post Divoom Tivoo Max: The Thumping Pixel Art Speaker appeared first on Byte Chronicles.