Igor Majstorovic is working on an FPGA accelerator (Vampire 600) for the Amiga 600. He started his project in 2010 and he now has a stable system. The accelerator improves the speed of the A600 from 0.55 Mips to 1.85 Mips. You can follow the progress of this project on Igor's blog.

AMR is working on the Minimig core for the Turbo Chameleon. You can read all about the progress on his blog. The latest changes are: The Commodore C64 joystick ports are now usable from the Minimig core. A problem with the Extended Fast RAM is resolved. And in the OSD menu you can now select 24 Mbyte of Fast RAM.

DomesticHacks is working on restoring an Commodore CBM 8032 computer. The 8032 is equipped with several expansions. In the videos you can see the progress of the repair and how to diagnose the CBM 8032. The videos are in the German language, the music in the videos is from Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).

See all the videos of DomesticHacks.

Jens Schönfeld is testing the ACA500. The ACA500 is an expansion for the Amiga 500. The technical details are: 68EC000 / 14,3MHz. The ACA500 is an external expansion. Two Compact Flash ports (Boot / Transfer). 2 MByte RAM (1,5MByte RAM + 512kByte Maprom). Extra expansion port (14MHz / 16-Bit).

RetroGameModz made an video about the audio repair of an Amgia 4000. In the video you can see many tips and working methods for repairing retro hardware such as: Visual inspection, audio filter circuit, testing, schematics, measurements, disassembling, new components, modifications and final testing.

All videos from RetroGameModz.

You can now buy a plush Boing Ball. The ball has a diameter of ca. 15cm and is hand made in Germany. It is possible to wash the ball and it has an certificate of Authenticity. You can use it as a decorative item or as a toy, but every Amiga fan should have one.

For the 1541 Ultimate is a new version (v2.6c) of the firmware available. Changes in this version: Ultimate Audio module. Diskette copier from real disk drives to .D64 images. Command Interface. Ultimate-II DOS V1.0. Kernal replacement function. Improvements to the USB interface and removed a couple of programming errors.

Skoe released new software for the EasyFlash 3 cartridge. With this new software you can now tranfers a d64 image from the PC (via USB) to a real 1541 disk drive. You can send a program to the C64 and start it. (RUN / JMP). And you can flash the CRT data via USB. Before you can use EasyTransfer, you need the latest EF3 menu and CPLD core.

Updating the EasyFlash 3 cartridge.

Stefan Egger started a new project. He wants to produce a limited edition (30 pieces) of a transparent C64 case. The "Edition 30" case is based on the first version of the C64 (bread box). The board, the keyboard and the original metal logos can be used for the Edition 30. Please visit the Computer Collection Vienna web page for all the details.

The software for the KryoFlux system has had an update. KryoFlux is a USB-based floppy controller. The system can be used to read a diskette, at low-level, and store the data from this diskette. New in this version: Write support for G64 files. The success of writing a G64 file to diskette depends on your disk drive. Not all 5,25'' disk drive can write DD data correctly.

Balázs built a 1551-II disk drive. This disk drive is a combination of a Commodore 1541-II and self built hardware. The extra hardware is needed because the CPU will work on 2MHz when the disk drive is in 1551 mode and the rest of the hardware is on 1 MHz. The hardware also supplies extra RAM. The web page is in the Hungarian language.

Coronax is a professional software developer who has electronics and retro computers as a hobby. One of his projects is Project:65. This project will be the building of a complete computer with the 6502 processor as a starting point. You can follow his work on his blog. The articles you can read are: The 6502 and 6522, Running in circles, Arduino port expansion, EEPROM Programmer, Running a program, Trivial communications, RAM and IO.

ScanJuggler XAGA is a scan-doubler and flicker-fixer for the Amiga 1200 and 4000. There are two versions available, normal and lite. The lite version has VGA and an 768 x 580 resolution, the normal version has DVI-I with an 1280 x 600 resolution. The scan doubler will be available soon, visit the ScanJuggler web page for all the details.

Matthew D'Asar has made an universal adapter for an EPROM programmer. With this adapter you can read many EPROM. Matthew has now released an new list of readable EPROM's, the list includes: MK31000, 2316A, 8316A, MCM68316A, AM9217, MK34000, 8316, 9316, 2616, MCM68316E, AM9218 and 1818-2270.

Oldtech81 has made an video review of the 1541 Ultimate-II. In this video you can see how to install and use your 1541 Ultimate. He explains how to load and run games from the SD card. For people who are starting with a Commodore C64, he also explains how to connect your C64 to a modern TV screen.

Another review from Oldtech81: XM1541 cable.

BigRamPlus is an memory expansion for the Amiga 3000 and 4000 (desktop or tower). This expansion will give your Amiga 256 Mbytes of extra memory. You need to use an original daughter board, other bus boards may not work. The BigRamPlus has a price tag of 100 Euro.

Bart Venneker is experimenting with "tap" files. A tap file contains the digital data from a compact cassette that is used in a Datassette. With a PC you can transfer the tap file to a real compact cassette. And with a special interface you can connect a standard cassette player to the Commodore C64. In the video you can see how the system works (Dutch language).

Video about the use of the C64 Tape Interface.

Steve from the C64 Copy Protection web page made a video about the ZoomFloppy. The ZoomFloppy can be used to transfer files from your PC to a Commodore disk drive or vice versa. The ZoomFloppy is connected to the PC via a USB port. In the video you can see how the system works and which software you need.

Jeff Ledger made a Midi SIDSynth with a pocket mini computer. The pocket mini computer is an open source mini computer with an Parallax Propeller microcontroller as it's brain. Jeff made an manual how to build your own Midi SIDSynth. He also explains which software you need.

Demonstration video of the Midi SIDSynth, Pocket Mini Computer.

Thecellartroll has made a video about the replacement of the RAM chips in a Commodore 16. In the video he explains how to open the C16, take out the motherboard, remove the old defective chips and replace them with new RAM chip. The SID files played in the video are: Megtha Fix 2 (DaFunk) and Broken Bottles (Deek).

For the 1541 Ultimate is a new version (v2.5) of the firmware available. New in this version: File viewer. Selectable colours in user interface. Improved memory allocation. UltimateAudio module with 7 voices.

Frank Buss is working on a Atari 2600 for inside the Turbo Chameleon cartridge. He uses the Docking Station to connect a joystick to the Turbo Chameleon. At the moment the core is in a test phase, but you can download it to try it yourself. The video output is compatible with an VGA monitor and the audio also works.

Srepmub made a printable working version of the wonderful Arcade joystick from Suzo International. You can print this joystick with your 3D printer. After printing you can add the connector, spring, steel bar, micro switches and rubbers to create you own Arcade joystick!

The polished version of the printed Arcade Joystick.

Kananga has developed an joystick interface to connect up to eight joysticks to the Commodore VIC20. The new interface was demonstrated at the Commodore users group in Graz - Austria. Kananga adapted the Super-Amok game so, that more players can play at the same time. Kananga is working on more multi-player versions of games.

Bart Venneker has connected an LED matrix display to his Commodore C64. The display is developed by Bart himself and has 128 LEDs (16 x 8), the interface has 3 connections (plus power supply). In the video Bart explains how the display and the interface works (Dutch language).

After a break Thomas Lövskog is working on the GCart again. He redesigned the circuit board and expanded the RAM memory to 64-512 MByte. The Xilinx FPGA will handle the WiFi and memory instead of a PIC32. A new addition is a optional Commodore IEC serial port for the emulation of the disk drive. The user interface is moved to a external circuit board with many options: Buttons and LEDs, a 16x96 or a 96x64 OLED screen.

Sauraen and Oikanys are working on the MIDIbox aSIDity project. This project will be the most powerful SID-based synthesizer in the world. The system will have 8 Commodore 64 SID sound chips (4 x 6581 and 4 x 8580) 160 modulators and many control options. At the moment they have completed the feedback system, build with an LM1973 (digital volume control) and an op-amp (3x gain). The controls are: Feedback, Cut-off, Resonance, Pulse width and Release time. You can watch the demonstration on YouTube.

Berry de Jager is working on a new project. Berry is building a modern version of the Commodore C64. He first tested a Raspberry Pi with VICE but was not satisfied with the performance. He decided to use a mini ITX PC with an Atom N2800, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, laptop power supply and a Keyrah USB / C64 keyboard interface. You can follow the project on Berry's web page.

Mike Berlin is working on a stereo SID card for the Commodore C64. The system has two SID 8085 R5's, four latches, an EPROM and two amplifiers. The card can be inserted in the original connector on the motherboard and there is no special software needed to play the SID tunes in full stereo.

Jeff Ledger developed a pocket size SID music player. The SID player uses a Parallax Propeller microcontroller and a SD card to read and play the SID music. He made a manual on how to construct the hardware and you can also download the necessary software for the Pocket SID Audio Player.

Thomas "skoe" Giesel has released a new CLPD firmware version for the EasyFlash 3. The EasyFlash 3 is a cartridge for the Commodore C64 with the possibilities of using different cartridge and kernal images. The most recent changes are: Re-enabled AR/RR mode and improved compatibility of KERNAL implementation.

In the past months Goog has been working on a new version of the Comet64 Internet Modem. The new Comet+ is a mix of a storage media, internet connection and a hardware and software experimentation platform. The features are: Wi-Fi. Micro SD. Disk drive emulation. BBS system. Open-source firmware (Arduino). RS-232. 4MB Flash RAM. The Comet+ can be used with the C64, C128, VIC-20, Plus/4 and the C16.

Musicmax3 from the web page C64MOD has made an test cartridge for the Commodore 64. The cartridge has a 2 Mbit Flash memory for storing the programs. The program can be selected by jumpers. A reset button is also available. You can view an demonstration on YouTube.

Blinkenwall is a wall made from 9 x 5 = 45 glass bricks. Next to every glass brick is a RGB-LED (Shiftbrite). The Blinkenwall is normally controlled by an Arduino system. But it was time for something different and now the Blinkenwall is controlled by a Commodore 64 with a custom build interface. You can see an demonstration on YouTube.

Sabbi is still working on his Commodore 64 inside a FPGA chip. All the parts for the system are now placed on a wooden board to avoid problems with the connections. The hardware SID is replaced by an FPGA implementation. An Arduino Pro Mini together with an 1.8" Color LCD gives the system two joystick-ports with paddle support. The control panel has control buttons for a system reset, mute, borders on/off and a menu system to select the kernal image.

Individual Computers announced a number of new or updated products for the Commodore C64 and the Amiga computers: SuperPLA, PLA replacement for C64, Plus/4, 1551, CBM 610 / 710 and PET. ACA1220, Turbo card for the A1200 with 128 MB RAM. ACA620, Turbo card for the A600 with 9+1 MB RAM. BigRamPlus, 256 MB RAM expansion for the A3000(T) and A4000(T).

Zeus68 is a new expansion for the Amiga 500. The device is actually 4 devices in 1. It has an accelerator (68SEC000 at 7 or 50 MHz), an RAM expansion (8 MB), an Boot menu / Kickstart ROM Switcher (6 Kickstarts) and a IDE controller. The Zeus68k is a proto-type at the moment but a limited production run is planned for the winter of 2012. You can follow the progress on the English Amiga Board forum.

Andymanone used an ET-BASE PX32 Developer Board to play SID tunes. This development board uses an Parallax 8Cog-Propeller CPU and a SD card to play Commodore C64 SID music. You can watch a demonstration video on YouTube.

Retrotext build an new C64 with the help of a Raspberry Pi and a not working Commodore C64. For his project he used the following: Commodore C64 casing / keyboard, Keyrah USB interface, 4-way USB port, three RCA connectors, Ethernet and HDMI cable, on/off switch, power supply and some small items. After installing all the hardware inside the C64 he installed VICE on the Raspberry Pi. He can now play his favorite games on his new C64.

Demonstration video of the VIC 314 on YouTube.

At the "Bay Area Maker Fair" in May 2012 Jeri Ellsworth showed a new project. She made an combination of a Commodore 64 and a bass guitar. In this video Jeri shows the inside of the device and explains how it works. The system includes a guitar, a C64 keyboard, an FPGA and a real SID chip.

Lallafa is working on a new project for the Amiga 500. The project will enable Internet access on the Amiga 500. The system use a Arduino board and a Ethernet module, and allows direct access to your local network. On the Lallafa's web page you can find a description on how to build the hardware and the source code is also available.

For the HxC floppy emulator is new firmware available. The HxC floppy emulator is a replacement of a 3.5 inch disk-drive in for example an Amiga or a Atari ST. Recent changes in the firmware: Embedded setting menu: Floppy Interface mode, Bitrate, Track step mode, Enable/disable the drive B. Write support: Improvements for MFM / FM, HFE file format and DataMark support. Faster seek and load. Flip disk function.

Skoe released a new firmware version for the EasyFlash3. Changes in this version: USB and I/O2 RAM in KERNAL mode. Improved KERNAL implementation. Support for the C128 with 2 MHz mode. For the future there are plans for an external KERNAL on the C128 and USB-related features.

Tobias released a new firmware version for the Chameleon cartridge. Changes in this version: Improved REU, Faster SDRAM controller, Slowdown modes. Update program added. Improvements to the menu and the file browser (navigation, quick find, gfx viewer, wav player and file copy).

Jeff Ledger started a new project. He made an platform for your own Retro-style microcomputer. The platform is based on the Gadget Gangster Propeller Platform USB board and will have video, audio and a wire less keyboard. With the right software you can turn this system in a 6502 or Z80 microcomputer.

Programs for the Retro style microcomputer.

Project Unity is a project to build one system with many game consoles inside. The system will have 20 game consoles, but only one power supply, one video output and one game controller.
At the moment the following game consoles are integrated: Amiga CD32, Sega SMS, Nintendo NES, Mattel Intellivision, Nintendo GameCube, Philips CDi, and Playstation 2.
And there are plans to include the following systems: SNK NeoGeo, Sega MegaDrive, Amstrad GX4000, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, Sega DreamCast, ColecoVision, Nintendo SNES, NEC TurboGrafx/PC Engine, Atari 7800 and the Atari Jaguar.

Jack Gassett started a new chip-tune hardware project. The project is based on the Papilio platform, and is designed for hardware hackers and musicians. The RetroCade Synth will play the Commodore 64 SID chip, the Yamaha YM-2149 chip, .mod files, MIDI files, and all at the same time! Specifications: 2 Audio connectors, MIDI (In, Out, Through), µSD card, Micro joystick, LCD display, 16 Analog inputs and 16 digital inputs.

Stefan Egger started a new project. He wants to make a replica of the prototype of the CDTV remote control unit. He has a couple of pictures from an presentation of the CDTV as an example. You can follow the progress on Stefan's web page.

There are still people who develop hardware for the Amiga. Most of them are independent hardware developers and do not sell products through standard retail channels. On this web page you can find many of these products and information about ordering the hardware. A few examples are: RGB to Video converters, Clock-port expanders, CF to IDE adapters, etc.

Gideon Zweijtzer and Rutger Bevaart are working on a modern version of a PPC turbo card for the Amiga 3000 and 4000. This card will give your Amiga great performance and many new possibilities. Specifications of the UltimatePPC are: 33MHz 68040 CPU, 1.0GHz Freescale PowerPC CPU, 128MB memory for the 68040 and 2GB of extra memory, USB2, SATA2, Ethernet and video with a DVI connector.