Customized Apple-Themed Game Boy Color Doubles As An Apple TV Remote (gizmodo.com) 11
Italian YouTuber Otto Climan modded an original Game Boy Color handheld to act as an Apple TV remote. Gizmodo reports: Otto Climan started with an original Game Boy Color handheld that they upgraded with a backlit LCD display because the GBC arrived well before Nintendo stopped using dim screens that strained your eyes. For the custom white case adorned with Apple's older rainbow logo, Climan turned to a company called Retro Modding that supplied him with matching white buttons and, more importantly, a matching white flash cartridge.
The cartridge looks like a standard GB/GBC game cartridge, but it includes a slot for a microSD card and the ability to run ROM files from it. While some ne'er-do-wells use these flash carts to play games, Climan instead developed his own ROM file capable of controlling the Game Boy Color's IR port, which was originally used to transfer game data between devices.
The newer and much-maligned Apple TV remote with the touchpad works over Bluetooth, but Apple retained the IR capabilities of previous Apple TV boxes so the streaming player can still control other devices like TVs. Getting the Game Boy Color to talk to the Apple TV was relatively straightforward (all the codes that Apple uses for its boxes and remotes to talk are easy to find online), but it apparently did require some overclocking of the GBC's processor, which is a trick some games used decades ago. Because the added TV remote functionality comes through a ROM file running on a flash cart, the Game Boy Color still works like a stock GBC and can play other games by just swapping the cart. You can watch Climan's video here.
The cartridge looks like a standard GB/GBC game cartridge, but it includes a slot for a microSD card and the ability to run ROM files from it. While some ne'er-do-wells use these flash carts to play games, Climan instead developed his own ROM file capable of controlling the Game Boy Color's IR port, which was originally used to transfer game data between devices.
The newer and much-maligned Apple TV remote with the touchpad works over Bluetooth, but Apple retained the IR capabilities of previous Apple TV boxes so the streaming player can still control other devices like TVs. Getting the Game Boy Color to talk to the Apple TV was relatively straightforward (all the codes that Apple uses for its boxes and remotes to talk are easy to find online), but it apparently did require some overclocking of the GBC's processor, which is a trick some games used decades ago. Because the added TV remote functionality comes through a ROM file running on a flash cart, the Game Boy Color still works like a stock GBC and can play other games by just swapping the cart. You can watch Climan's video here.
Another ad disguised as an article. What the hell? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3)
Are you gonna be making disclosures about these ads any time soon, or na? "Climan turned to a company called Retro Modding"
"News for Nerds. Stuff that Matters." Huh. Would you look at that. No mention or fine print disclosure about advertising. Also known as that common way websites stay funded and running and maybe even pay an admin or two.
And what? Is a 20-year old Game Boy Color talking to a modern Apple TV somehow not nerdy enough for Slashdot? It was one damn hyperlink in an otherwise geeky, nerdy summary. The internet, is full of them. Get over it.
And no, I'm not here to shill or even discuss BIZX. This doesn't
Re: (Score:1)
100% right and no mod points.... /. half the time..
not sure why I come to
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Also known as GBC / CGB-001
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Release dates:
JP: October 21, 1998
NA: November 18, 1998
EU: November 23, 1998
AU: November 27, 1998
FTFY, in a nerdy way.
Re: (Score:1)
Not a mod, just a file, not maligned (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Then you haven't read the proper threads on the proper websites. Go to MacRumors.com's forums, you'll see plenty of complaints about that godamn fucking stupid remote control piece of shit. People even went as far as ordering a custom remote that a company in Europe made to be compatible with both the Apple TV and their own set-top box.
"overclocking"? (Score:2)
Yeah, some "trick" indeed. Just like the old PCs, the GBC ran at a higher clock speed than the original GameBoy and had a register to flip between the two speeds.