25.Jun.2026
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Programming language: AmiBlitz 3.13.0b
AmiBlitz 3.13.0b is described by its developer as "a milestone regarding memory handling". It now has a proprietary memory pooling mechanism to be used if the executable program is running on OS versions lower than V39 (Kickstart 3.0), which is said to reduce memory fragmentation a lot.
- IDE: added tooltype VIRTUALSPACE when activated, the cursor will move automatically to the end of a line when moving up/downwards
- memlib: added a proprietary memory pooling mechanism to be used if the running OS-Version is below Kick 3.0 (V39). Memory pooling reduces memory fragmentation.
- memlib: added internal function-calls for pooling to be used by other blitzlibs
- arrayslib: moved linked list initialization routines to linkedlistlib
- linkedlistlib: uses memlib to handle memory allocation/deallocation for dynamic lists
- iffmakelib: fixed ALibJsr "unknown token" bug due to blitzlib numbers reordering
- mentation: Improved documentation for UsedMem, Dim and others
Direct download: Amiblitz3.13.lha (13 MB) (cg)
[News message: 25. Jun. 2026, 23:29] [Comments: 0]
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25.Jun.2026
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Amiga emulator written in Rust: Copperline 0.7.0
"Copperline" is an Amiga emulator written in Rust. Originally developed with the sole purpose of running or testing DiagROM, the program can now also handle complex and timing-critical software.
Versions 0.6.0 and 0.7.0, released since our last news item, include not only numerous improvements to the accuracy of the emulation but also new computer profiles such as "A500 OCS" and "A500+," more configuration options regarding the number and use of connected floppy drives, and better debugging tools:
Highlights
- Expanded machine profiles. The default A500 profile now models the common Rev 6A board, A500OCS covers early OCS A500/A2000-style hardware, A500Plus uses the 8375 Agnus and RTC, and a new A1000 profile models the bootstrap ROM plus writable control store Kickstart load path.
- Debugger workflow improvements. The debugger and frame analyzer are independent tool windows, breakpoints can be conditional and counted, the UI can step over/out and poke memory or CPU registers, and the GDB monitor gained stepover and finish helpers.
- Warp-speed controls. Warp mode can now retire multiple emulated frames per presented frame, with 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x, and Max limits available from config, menu, and keyboard shortcuts.
- Distribution improvements. A macOS workflow now builds and attaches a universal .dmg with the app bundle and bundled AROS ROM. Homebrew remains the source-build install path for macOS users who prefer it.
- Floppy-drive wiring controls. Config and CLI options can connect one to four floppy mechanisms, including empty external drives for scripted or delayed disk insertion.
- Chip-bus frame analyzer. A new debugger tool window visualizes per-frame chip-bus ownership, DMA spans, CPU waits, blitter pressure, and display fetch activity for timing investigations.
- Remote GDB debugging. Copperline can now expose the emulated CPU to a GDB frontend for source-level and machine-level debugging outside the built-in UI.
- Zorro board identification. Autoconfig metadata can now identify Copperline boards using the registered manufacturer ID, board ID, and a version-derived serial number.
- Linux presentation hardening. Linux GUI presentation now requires Vulkan explicitly, with CI smoke coverage for the required X11/Vulkan runtime libraries.
Hardware accuracy fixes
- Copper and custom-register behavior. Copper lists can live at chip RAM address zero, COPCON byte writes mirror onto the word latch so byte bit operations can set CDANG, and Copper/manual sprite palette timing is aligned with the display beam.
- Agnus and Denise display timing. DDF register precision is now derived from the Agnus revision, low-res DDFSTOP/DDFSTRT edge cases use the correct fetch origin, same-line DIW start writes update the display origin, and CPU palette writes replay at their beam-time positions.
- Sprites and bitplanes. Manual BPL1DAT writes can enable sprites on scanlines outside the vertical DIW, direct sprite data writes are not clipped by the DMA vertical window, and Copper colour writes stay phase-aligned with the bitplane pixels they recolour.
- Blitter datapath. Normal-mode A/B barrel-shifter carry is initialized at the start of a new blit while still carrying across rows within that blit.
- Machine-specific behavior. A1000 reset and LED/audio-filter behavior now follow the writable-control-store machine model, and external floppy drive connection/reset behavior is exposed through the hardware model instead of inferred only from inserted media.
- Agnus and Denise display timing. TV-visible horizontal overscan is modelled, bitplane pre-fetch no longer scrolls into the first line of a DMA block, and sprite pointer/fetch timing is tightened around DMA descriptor updates.
- Chip-bus and audio pacing. Bitplane ownership planning avoids redundant work, pending sprite descriptor origins are preserved, and live audio starvation during heavy display effects is reduced.
- Floppy media. Padded UAE-1ADF AmigaDOS tracks are accepted without treating the padding as part of the logical track payload.
- Zorro Autoconfig. The built-in identification board reports Copperline metadata through hardware-derived Autoconfig fields.
Other improvements
- Untagged UI builds show the short git commit in the window title and About panel.
- The frame analyzer can keep the debugger open beside it and supports drag/cursor navigation of selected beam slots.
- Documentation and example configs cover A1000 booting, A500 Rev 6A defaults, floppy-drive wiring, warp limits, debugger controls, and the macOS DMG install path.
- The debugger documentation now covers the chip-bus analyzer and remote GDB flow.
- Homebrew release documentation was refreshed around formula checksum and tap validation steps.
- The README and guide now document the Linux Vulkan presentation requirement.
- Documentation credits and internals notes were updated for the new timing and diagnostic workflows.
(cg)
[News message: 25. Jun. 2026, 23:20] [Comments: 0]
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24.Jun.2026
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Bug-fixed demo version: Rex - Into the Shadow Realm
The demo version of the shooter "Rex: Into the Shadow Realm" - which was released two weeks ago and is set to launch this fall - has got several bugs fixed. The update also adds two new music tracks from composer Matt McGuire. (snx)
[News message: 24. Jun. 2026, 09:19] [Comments: 0]
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23.Jun.2026
Thomas Lübker (ANF)
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Mac OS: Amiga Imager 0.94
Thomas Lübker's Amiga Imager creates boot images under Mac OS for various platforms: non-upgraded Amigas, those with a PiStorm turbo card, the MiSTer, and emulator environments (amiga-news.de reported). The most important feature in the new version 0.94 is the now largely completed all-native build engine. While earlier versions relied much more heavily on an older, script-heavy approach, the standard build for PiStorm, Classic Amiga, UAE, Amiberry, and MiSTer now runs on a native in-process Swift architecture.
AmigaDiskKit is at the heart of this project. The engine now handles large parts of the actual product pipeline, including:
- RDB layout and partition management
- FFS and PFS3 workflows
- ADF and LHA processing
- PiStorm FAT32 boot handling
- Additional native file and media access within the build process
This eliminates many of the previous handoffs between Shell scripts, utilities, and native app logic. The build path becomes more consistent, easier to verify, and simpler to extend in the future.
In addition to the native build engine, Amiga Imager offers additional features that have now become part of the regular workflow:
- Amiga File Manager for browsing images, storage media, drawers, and archives directly on Mac OS.
- Build & Write to Card for writing directly to SD, CF, SSD, or USB media without a separate export step.
- Native Finder Quick Look integration for supported Amiga files.
- Support for UAE and Amiberry, including RTG and networking
- MiSTer support, including RTG and networking
The floppy disk support has also been expanded. Greaseweazle remains the current, proven, and supported native path for real Amiga floppy disks on macOS. In addition, experimental DrawBridge support is now available. However, physical reads via DrawBridge still need to be validated on actual hardware. In particular, the command bytes and the 2-bit mapping still need to be confirmed before this feature can be considered fully reliable.
Version 0.94 runs on Mac OS 14 or later and supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The current build number is 260621. (nba)
[News message: 23. Jun. 2026, 13:58] [Comments: 0]
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23.Jun.2026
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Sound tool: FxBox 1.22
FxBox, the real-time multi-loop processor and editor written in AMOS, is now available in version 1.22. The update introduces standardised accelerated graphics via FBlit, a mute function accessible by clicking the volume dial or pressing the Tab key, freely assignable keyboard shortcuts, and new commands including CALC (resampling ratio) and OFFSET (playback offset). An autoexec macro that runs automatically at startup has also been added.
Bug fixes include a problem with Edit range selection, an error when opening stereo/quad files in multi-track mode, and several regressions from earlier versions. Source code and download are available on GitHub.
[News message: 23. Jun. 2026, 13:13] [Comments: 0]
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