A computing platform is under no circumstances actually dead except if folks prevent establishing new application for it. By that measure, the Commodore 64 is alive and perfectly: new games, demos, and utilities are nevertheless becoming released on a normal foundation. Finding those new programs on to an previous computer was normally a little bit of a problem even though, demanding both an SD card adapter for the Commodore or a immediate cable connection from an net-related Laptop. Luckily, there is now a less complicated way to get your most up-to-date computer software updates many thanks to a WiFi adapter named WiC64. This adapter plugs into the enlargement port of a common Commodore and lets you down load systems immediately into memory. [Tommy Ovesen] over at [Arctic Retro] purchased a person and explored its several attributes.
The primary layout of the WiC64 is straightforward: an ESP32 mounted on an adapter board that connects its knowledge bus to that of the Commodore 64, 128 or VIC-20. A straightforward program, which you nonetheless need to transfer the aged way, lets you configure the device and hook up to a WiFi community. When that is performed, an interactive BBS-fashion plan is launched that enables you to access a variety of on the web expert services. The WiC64 builders deliver these, but since the process is absolutely open up-resource there’s nothing stopping you from managing your possess servers as perfectly.
A person aspect that truly appears to defy the C64’s components limitations is a absolutely practical variation of Google Maps. Even with the Commodore’s limited resolution and colour depth, it does a pretty decent occupation of demonstrating maps, satellite pictures, and even Avenue Watch photographs.
Utilizing the WiC64 requires no components modifications to the Commodore 64, but a customized ROM is offered that permits a number of easy functions these as LOADing applications instantly from a world wide web tackle. There have been quite a few attempts at obtaining vintage Commodores on the internet, but none so much that managed to get complex apps like Google Maps working. We have found YouTube films being performed on a Commodore PET although.
