Long Play Tech
@longplaytech.bsky.social
Technology is full of planned obsolescence, psychological manipulation, platform lock-in, and e-waste. Old tech lasts. New tech should too.
Blu-ray turned twenty last month. A week later Sony announced it would stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. It seems inevitable: discs are done, streaming won. Are TV and movies next? #physicalMedia longplaytech.com/posts/best-t...
Now Is the Best Time to Start Collecting Blu-rays
Why Blu-rays have never been a better deal and why they're going the way of vinyl.
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They delayed the launch of the Philips Hue bulb to the end of 2012 so they could build in the ability to update firmware on the bulbs. This means the first Philips Hue bulb still works with the current app and bridge. That's tech that lasts! youtu.be/zo6CHhvhhbQ?...
Philips Hue: The smart home’s light bulb moment
YouTube video by Version History
youtu.be
Films like The Rock, T2, The Abyss and Reservoir Dogs shot with on Super35 to get the best of both worlds: wide frames for theatrical and pleasant 4:3 home video framing. It's a lot of work (reframing EVERY shot) but full screen VHS versions looked great. Van Ling made this demo for T2:
Sometimes old tech is still the best tech. Even really, really old tech. Give a journal a try. It's surprising how effective it is to use a focus tool that isn't online. longplaytech.com/posts/bullet...
You Don’t Need a Second Brain. You Need a Journal.
The most effective productivity, privacy, and focus tools are a notebook and a pen.
longplaytech.com
Acting like Goldilocks when it comes to retro gaming handhelds? It’s hard to decide which to play and when. Some are too big, some are too much trouble to set up, some are pricey, but the Miyoo Mini Plus with Onion OS is *just right.* longplaytech.com/posts/miyoo-...
The Retro Handheld Sweet Spot: Miyoo Mini Plus
When it comes to bang-for-your-buck and ease of setup, the Miyoo Mini Plus is a clear winner.
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Don’t toss out your old Kindle because Amazon bricked it. Jailbreak it! Here’s how I got my 4th gen with buttons set up with KOReader. longplaytech.com/posts/jailbr...
How to Jailbreak the 4th Gen Kindle
Don't throw out a working e-reader! Keep it going and add capabilities with KOReader.
longplaytech.com
Have an extra Wii Remote and want to play some PlayStation GunCon light gun games? I got a guide for you! Works in PCSX2 and Duckstation. longplaytech.com/posts/emulat...
Emulate GunCon2 With a Wii Remote
How to use a Nintendo Wii Remote to play Playstation 2 light gun games.
longplaytech.com
Small, portable, Android retro handhelds are about to get big. The Steam Deck Mini is here! longplaytech.com/posts/androi...
It’s a Steam Deck Mini
Android handhelds are becoming a portable powerhouse.
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What makes listening to vinyl albums great is the ritual, the intentionality, and the health benefits. You can get the same benefits from music CDs for a lot less money. longplaytech.com/posts/why-cd...
Why CDs Are Great in 2026 | Long Play Tech
All the benefits of vinyl, and more, at a fraction of the cost.
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Playing CDs in 2026 is surprisingly easy and affordable. You don’t need specialized equipment, and you probably already own something that can do it. longplaytech.com/posts/how-to...
How to Play CDs in 2026 | Long Play Tech
You might already have everything you need to get started.
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Multi CD changers are great and still being produced. A convenient way to keep the music going without the algorithm driving. longplaytech.com/posts/onkyo-...
CD Carousels: The Offline Playlist | Long Play Tech
Ditch the algorithm and make your own playlist with CDs.
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You can test new tech ideas using the Seinfeld Test Would the product eliminate the plot of an episode? (Google maps, cell phones, paypal, battery packs) Good tech. Would the product inspire new Seinfeld plots? (NFTs, AI chatbots, crypto currency, blindboxes, metaverse land sales) Bad tech.
Get a new game console for Christmas? Did your TV and soundbar stop working together? HDMI-CEC probably broke. Here's how to fix. This information is hard to find, so we compiled what we've learned about HDMI CEC. longplaytech.com/posts/hdmi-c...
Why Your New Game Console Broke HDMI-CEC (And How to Fix It) | Long Play Tech
HDMI-CEC has a hidden 3-device limit for game consoles.
longplaytech.com
I thought 8BitDo fixed this problem, but the unwanted diagonal inputs with the D-pad is back on the 64 Bluetooth controller. Here's how I fixed it. longplaytech.com/posts/8bitdo...
8BitDo 64 Controller D-Pad Diagonal Fix | Long Play Tech
Oversensitive and unwanted diagonals are back. This mod should help.
longplaytech.com
2 weeks left to enable Bluetooth mode on a Stadia controller buff.ly/MGHqBIs unofficial backup in case they don't extend it again and you're late: buff.ly/sRoUywK
Algorithms and twiddling literally costs you money. Instacart and the stores they work with are using machine learning to adjust prices based on what they know about you. Surveillance pricing is here and the apps on your phone are going to nickel and dime you. youtu.be/osxr7xSxsGo?...
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
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Have a Google Stadia controller? You have till the end of the month to enable Bluetooth. It’s my main Steam Deck controller. Has full support. There’s still time to order one. They are going for about $15 on eBay. www.youtube.com/shorts/w-4yY...
Want to save a great gamepad from becoming a brick? #todayimtoyingwith
YouTube video by The Verge
youtube.com
Have a Google Stadia controller? You have till the end of the month to enable Bluetooth. It’s my main Steam Deck controller. Has full support. There’s still time to order one. They are going for about $15 on eBay. www.youtube.com/shorts/w-4yY...
Want to save a great gamepad from becoming a brick? #todayimtoyingwith
YouTube video by The Verge
youtube.com
Like audiobooks? Don't like DRM? Interested in free audiobooks? There are some options: longplaytech.com/posts/drm-fr...
How to Get DRM-Free Audiobooks | Long Play Tech
Audible has a competitor that offers a similar service with books you actually own.
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The surprising story of a vinyl record empire in Kansas youtu.be/OqQ07FWUPvI?...
The surprising story of a vinyl record empire in Kansas
YouTube video by CBS Mornings
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I SUPER regret buying an Amazon Echo Show 8 for this reason. The damn thing is loaded with ads at all times. "Hey Alexa, how do you turn off the ads?" "You can't." It's gross, definitely avoid.
Alejandra Caraballo@esqueer.net · 9mo agoFresh dystopian hell from Samsung fridges with ads.
Another show that’s been messed up with a “remaster.” Will be looking for physical media on this if I ever want a rewatch. www.wired.com/story/hbo-ma...
HBO Max’s ‘Mad Men’ Vomit Scene Proves ‘Remastered’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Better’
The errors in one of the most beautiful shows ever made continue a modern tradition of reformatting things that are better off left alone.
wired.com
Having trouble pairing the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller on #MiSTerFPGA? Are the C Buttons not working? It's a little tricky: - Pair in "S" mode. See the toggle on the back. - Define the controller buttons in the MiSTer menu. - Define the buttons in the N64 Core menu.
Want to wake Bazzite with a controller? It is possible, but kinda hacky and requires some Linux scripting. longplaytech.com/posts/wake-b...
Wake Bazzite from Sleep Using a Controller | Long Play Tech
It's possible, but requires some scripts specific to your system.
longplaytech.com
Cory Doctorow and Lina M. Khan (former chair of the FTC) discuss Ensh*ttification, which argues that “it’s not just you—the internet sucks now. Here’s why, and here’s how we can fix—or disensh*ttify—it.” www.youtube.com/live/NCX5Yst...
Cory Doctorow Discusses Ensh*ttification with Lina M. Khan
YouTube video by BPLvideos
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Cronos: The New Dawn is hard, y'all. Here's a few mods to make it easier. Video tutorial on how to get an easy mode on Windows or the Steam Deck. longplaytech.com/posts/cronos...
Cronos: The New Dawn Easy Mode | Long Play Tech
Make this tough game easier with these mods for Windows or the Steam Deck.
longplaytech.com
With the shift from books to ebooks, libraries have lost ownership of their collections. Knowledge is being privatized and monetized by multinational corporations. This results in higher costs for books that libraries can’t keep or control. youtu.be/PygUK16aQgk
Why is knowledge getting so expensive? | Jeffrey Edmunds | TEDxPSU
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
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Plasma TVs are Awesome! They cost next to nothing and perform as well as modern ones. I recently picked up a Panasonic TC-P42U1 for $30 at Goodwill. It’s in great shape, has low hours, and looks amazing. I think it almost rivals my OLED! longplaytech.com/posts/plasma...
Plasma TVs are Awesome! | Long Play Tech
These displays cost next to nothing and perform as well as modern ones.
longplaytech.com
I've updated my post on the Dell Ultrasharp 2007FP with input latency measurements. This is one of the best 4:3 LCD screens you can use with a MiSTer FPGA. Thanks for @zezretro.bsky.social for bringing my attention to this monitor! longplaytech.com/posts/is-ret...
Is Retro Gaming on a 4:3 LCD CRT Blasphemy? | Long Play Tech
MiSTer ini settings for the Dell Ultrasharp 2007FP.
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