If you enjoyed playing Sonic the Hedgehog on your Sega Mega Drive or Gameboy back in the day, you might be interested in this Nook Simple Touch hack.
The hack has enabled the Nook Simple Touch to be loaded with a Sega Genesis emulator, and rigged to play Sonic the Hedgehog in true e-ink greyscale glory. Watch the video after the jump to learn more about the Nook Simple Touch hack and see it in action.
The Technical Details of the Hack
Due to the refresh rates being so slow on e-ink Nook device, the hacker has also installed NoRefresh to keep the gaming rates fluid enough to play. However, there is still a slight lag on the controls, but hey, you can’t have everything on a device that natively runs Android 2.1 and is equipped with an e-ink display.
The Nook Simple Touch, originally designed as an e-reader, features a 6-inch e-ink display with a resolution of 800×600 pixels. This makes it an unlikely candidate for gaming, especially for fast-paced games like Sonic the Hedgehog. However, the ingenuity of the hack lies in its ability to repurpose the device beyond its intended use. The NoRefresh app is crucial here, as it minimizes the screen refresh delay, making the gameplay experience more bearable.
Challenges and Limitations
While the hack is impressive, it does come with its set of challenges and limitations. The e-ink display, while excellent for reading, is not designed for rapid screen updates. This results in a noticeable lag, especially in a game that requires quick reflexes. The controls, too, are not as responsive as one would like, which can be frustrating during gameplay.
Moreover, the Nook Simple Touch’s hardware is not particularly powerful. It is powered by an 800 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor and has 256 MB of RAM. These specifications are modest by today’s standards and can struggle to keep up with the demands of emulating a Sega Genesis game. Despite these limitations, the hack is a testament to the versatility and potential of e-ink devices.
Potential and Future Applications
This hack opens up a world of possibilities for e-ink devices. While they are primarily used for reading, this demonstrates that they can be repurposed for other applications. Imagine using an e-ink device for low-power gaming, or even for other types of software that don’t require rapid screen refreshes. The low power consumption of e-ink displays makes them ideal for applications where battery life is a priority.
Additionally, this hack could inspire further development in the realm of e-ink technology. As e-ink displays improve and become more responsive, we might see more versatile applications for these devices. From gaming to interactive reading experiences, the potential is vast.
Source: Gizmodo : : SlashGear
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
