Past the Alphabet
Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
It is an thrilling time to be a fan of gaming, as we have seen an abundance of units launched prior to now 12 months, with extra on the horizon. I imply, Valve simply introduced the Steam Machine and Steam Body, whereas dual-screen handhelds just like the AYN Thor and AYANEO Pocket DS are trendy variations of the 3DS powered by Android.
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The ready sport
See, I pre-ordered each the Thor and Pocket DS as quickly as I might, making August a quite costly month for me. The thought was that I might get each handhelds across the identical time, might determine which I appreciated extra, after which would both return or promote the opposite.
And whereas that can nonetheless be the case, I at the moment sit right here with simply one of many two, as my AYN Thor was delivered a few weeks in the past. In the meantime, I don’t know when the Pocket DS will probably be shipped, not to mention when it is going to arrive on my doorstep.
It has been nearly three months since I gave AYANEO my cash to safe a Pocket DS pre-order, even springing for the Retro Grey mannequin, as I am a sucker for retro-themed {hardware}. Not solely that, however throughout one of many livestreams, AYANEO claimed that those that backed the higher-end fashions could be prioritized, so I figured it was a “win-win” situation.
But, AYANEO went a full two weeks with out transport any new units to backers, with solely 16 Retro Grey fashions being included within the checklist. And no, I wasn’t included in the newest batch of shipments from mid-November.
Whereas the Pocket DS marketing campaign was efficiently funded, and orders have shifted to its personal on-line storefront, a lot of the communication with the corporate is completed by means of the feedback part of the Indiegogo marketing campaign. And in case you take only one look, it is an absolute massacre between individuals canceling orders and asking questions on high quality management points, just for AYANEO customer support to supply quite obscure solutions.
An absence of clear communication
No less than on the subject of a lot of the remainder of the tech world, the vast majority of corporations inform you when your pre-orders will arrive. And if one thing unexpected takes place, you then’ll probably see an replace about it, whether or not by way of an electronic mail, press launch, or a submit in your RSS feed.
However as I used to be hopping between completely different Discord servers, I observed that somebody was preserving a working monitor of the problems discovered with the Pocket DS. Here is what the checklist contains thus far:
- Excessive-pitched fan noise
- Sticky buttons
- Non-functional buttons
- Non-functional joysticks
- “Acceptable gentle bleed”
- SD card slot not working
- SD card ejecting by itself
- Firmware updates end in controller not working
- Defective lid sensor
- Flipped Gyroscope
- Hinge makes cracking noise when closed
- Robust burning electronics scent when charging
- Boot loader looping (out of the field)
A few of these points aren’t actually an enormous deal, and might probably be solved with a software program replace, supplied that stated replace does not trigger different issues to interrupt. Nonetheless, there are others which might be inexcusable, such because the electronics smelling when charging, the microSD card auto-ejecting itself, or getting a brand new handheld solely to seek out that not one of the buttons work.
It additionally does not assist that AYANEO has not finished an excellent job in speaking whether or not there’s really an issue in manufacturing or not. Which means that in case you resolve to maintain your pre-order, you are principally rolling the cube in hopes that you simply did not spend a bunch of cash and await months, solely to get a lemon.
I might argue that the larger challenge is that it certain looks as if AYANEO has its plate full. In simply 2025, the corporate has launched eight completely different handhelds, whereas asserting or teasing one other eight units, such because the AYANEO Cellphone, Pocket Vert, and others.
Talking of which, AYANEO’s first pill, the Gaming Pad, was introduced all the best way again in March and was anticipated to be launched someday in Could. Nonetheless, in addition to making appearances throughout livestreams, AYANEO made no point out of whether or not the Gaming Pad continues to be being launched.
An excessive amount of, too quick
However I digress. It is clear that AYANEO is attempting to do an excessive amount of too quick, leading to high quality management points, poor construct high quality, and transport delays with seemingly no finish in sight. For as fast-paced because the trade strikes, it is likely to be time for AYANEO to take a step again and reinforce its foundations first earlier than it is too late.
No, this is not meant to be a “hit piece” about AYANEO, but it surely’s actually a plea for the corporate to do higher. When the corporate is firing on all cylinders, it makes a few of the greatest {hardware} that I’ve ever seen and used. Sadly, it is change into obvious that a few these cylinders have misplaced energy, and a visit to the mechanic is required earlier than it is too late.
As the good Ron Swanson as soon as stated, “By no means half-ass two issues, whole-ass one factor.”
FAQ
What are a few of the hottest Android gaming handheld manufacturers?
OEMs that make a few of the greatest Android gaming handhelds embrace AYANEO, AYN, Retroid, and Anbernic, though newcomers and smaller names like MANGMI and MagicX additionally make spectacular handheld consoles.
Can these highly effective Android handhelds play PC video games?
Sure, they will, due to elevated functionality for working PC video games by means of Home windows emulation software program like Winlator. Moreover, user-friendly wrappers like GameSir GameHub simplify the method by permitting customers to obtain appropriate PC video games straight from their Steam library and robotically apply optimized settings for a seamless expertise.
Why ought to somebody purchase a devoted Android gaming handheld as a substitute of simply utilizing their present cellphone or pill?
Whereas a cellphone or pill can be utilized for on-the-go gaming, a devoted gaming gadget removes sure obstacles and presents larger comfort. Devoted handhelds present bodily controls, optimized cooling, and a type issue particularly designed for lengthy gaming classes, which is a serious benefit over clipping a controller onto a normal smartphone.
