ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 in Sinclair QL Core mode:
Processor: Switchable Motorola 68000 or 68020 CPU running at up to 44MHz
Video Output: VGA and HDMI support
Compatibility: Full Sinclair QL compatibility with MDV and FLP image support
Memory: 2MB of RAM
Storage: SD card large storage with both QXL container and FAT32 access
Network: WiFi network
Joysticks: CTL1/2 Joystick ports switchable to QL Net port (requires DIY dongle)
Keyboard: Full QL keyboard support with extra keys simulated via combinations
Co-Processor: Hermes i8049 co-processor
PS/2 port: PS/2 port for external keyboard and/or Qimi mode emulation
Real Time Clock: Full support
Video Modes: 4, 8, 16 (Thor XVI), 256 (Aurora compliant) and 65K colour display with dual screens for extra speed
Audio: Hermes/i8049 beep, 3 channel AY PSG and stereo PCM audio
Extras: Hardware Sprites and dual hardware timers, I2C bus
OS: Support for QDOS / Minerva / SMSQ/e (WIP)
If the updated core is ready for the new version's release, that looks like a nice wee QL-compatible in a lovely package.
Try out Finding Evan - a text adventure with graphics for SMSQ/E & QDOS
[Another adventure coming soon: Otis Travels In Space - PM me if you want to try the beta, QDOS only]
ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 in Sinclair QL Core mode:
Processor: Switchable Motorola 68000 or 68020 CPU running at up to 44MHz
Video Output: VGA and HDMI support
Compatibility: Full Sinclair QL compatibility with MDV and FLP image support
Memory: 2MB of RAM
Storage: SD card large storage with both QXL container and FAT32 access
Network: WiFi network
Joysticks: CTL1/2 Joystick ports switchable to QL Net port (requires DIY dongle)
Keyboard: Full QL keyboard support with extra keys simulated via combinations
Co-Processor: Hermes i8049 co-processor
PS/2 port: PS/2 port for external keyboard and/or Qimi mode emulation
Real Time Clock: Full support
Video Modes: 4, 8, 16 (Thor XVI), 256 (Aurora compliant) and 65K colour display with dual screens for extra speed
Audio: Hermes/i8049 beep, 3 channel AY PSG and stereo PCM audio
Extras: Hardware Sprites and dual hardware timers, I2C bus
OS: Support for QDOS / Minerva / SMSQ/e (WIP)
If the updated core is ready for the new version's release, that looks like a nice wee QL-compatible in a lovely package.
QL core was written by a forum regular so I think it should be!
RichardCGH wrote: Mon Jul 21, 2025 3:00 pm
I understand there will be a library of QL software supplied ?
Do we have details ?
Is it a Public Domain library ?
There is a demonstration QXL.win file supplied, but it doesn't contain any games (apart from Chess), so not very interesting to most of the QL-curious Speccy Next owners. There aren't a lot of QL games anyway when compared to the Spectrum and most of the first crop are not freely available for one reason or another (copy protection/copyright/etc), but there are enough remaining to make a useful selection.
Cheers,
Alan
Try out Finding Evan - a text adventure with graphics for SMSQ/E & QDOS
[Another adventure coming soon: Otis Travels In Space - PM me if you want to try the beta, QDOS only]
I gave it a go on the QL core of my newly-acquired Xberry Pi. All the ones I tried seemed to work, though a few are way too fast to be playable. Firebirds is the pick of the bunch so far. It runs really well.
Try out Finding Evan - a text adventure with graphics for SMSQ/E & QDOS
[Another adventure coming soon: Otis Travels In Space - PM me if you want to try the beta, QDOS only]
I gave it a go on the QL core of my newly-acquired Xberry Pi. All the ones I tried seemed to work, though a few are way too fast to be playable. Firebirds is the pick of the bunch so far. It runs really well.
This a problem with new hardware that accelerates the software, and tge software does not adpat to to the speed increase.
More recent games, Space Invaders, Pitman allow for the speed of the hardware. But older games assume a QL native speed, so some sort of slowing down the machine is required, like SLUG
Maybe they'll revise the QL core in the future to have some of the same features as the Spectrum core. If I recall correctly, you could run a Spectrum at speed, or also at 2x and 4x (maybe faster), so it would be nice if they added that feature to the QL core as well.
