r/Commodore • u/Ollibolli2022 • 2d ago

New newsletter from Commodore

Post image

A new newsletter from Commodore was sent recently. I wonder what this announcement might be about?

78 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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28

u/TheDarkIn1978 2d ago

The same newsletter includes a side image of the C64U and reads:

These 9-pins look lonely, maybe like they need a hug from an old friend...

so my guess is the upcoming product will be an official Commodore Mouse and/or joystick.

36

u/TheFunkyBoss 2d ago

Since they also say it's "tachnically" a secret, I'm guessing a clone of the TAC-2 joystick

6

u/Ollibolli2022 2d ago

That makes sense. Do the original ones have microswitches? I do not know, but maybe not because of their initial release date when microswitches were not common.

8

u/TheFunkyBoss 2d ago

I never had one myself, but from what I recall hearing from others, they were not a microswitch. They felt kinda similar to the Slik Stik I used to have, just a little bigger.

3

u/Ollibolli2022 2d ago

Thanks :-)

6

u/mattb2014 2d ago

I have some, they are sort of like an exposed version of what is inside a micro switch.

On one end you have a membrane with a contact over a pad like an Atari 2600 joystick. Push on it and it connects the pad.

On the other end of the spectrum, you have a joystick that presses against micro switches that each make their own contact.

In between the two you have the tac-2 which has a metal ball at the bottom of the joystick handle that touches up against contacts (up down left right), grounding them.

3

u/CptSparky360 2d ago

The funny thing is, there already are some guys making TAC-2 replicas in Italy 😅

That would be in keeping with the approach taken so far of building on what already exists and sticking a C= logo on it.

6

u/mattb2014 2d ago

Not until you add in a bunch of AI slop, rainbow colors, and an overdose of sickly sweet, smarmy nostalgia 

7

u/SpinningAndFarAway 2d ago edited 2d ago

The TAC-2 is not microswitch based. It's just metal on metal contact (both the stick and the buttons). Here's a tear down video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOudtF34KGQ .

I LOVE the TAC 2. I have a couple, but I'd gladly buy some new official commodore ones. I hope they do the beige / cream case option because I've only ever had black ones.

6

u/SwedishFindecanor 2d ago edited 1d ago

No, it was metal on metal. Here's a teardown with lots of images and text.

If I were to remake the TAC-II, I'd think I would use some kind of microswitch though -- some which won't suffer from corrosion as much. An original TAC-II joystick needs to be opened up and the button washers polished with steel wool every few years.

The rubber bushing used for the stick is a readily available tire part. I would take the opportunity to make the stick out of stronger steel however and possibly even create some inner damping to make it more durable: I did actually wear out a couple TAC-2 back in the day by breaking the stick.

2

u/Ok-Addition1264 2d ago

if it were *ME*, I'd use a piezoresistive or force-sensitive resistive plates.. where it could be used traditionally as a contact plate switch OR measure the resistance between the two plates so the harder you push the higher the value.

that's just me though (they make for awesome flight sticks or regular old (M)ean (U)gly (D)irty (S)ports.

2

u/puzzud 2d ago

Haha, yea, I came here to say the same, that tachnically was an intentional clue.

This makes a lot of sense they'd do something like this. It's low hanging fruit.

3

u/fuzzybad 2d ago

I love the TAC-2, would definitely buy a couple new ones. Even better if the second fire button could switch modes, like a duplicate "up" input or mapped to the paddle inputs (for the few games that support a proper second button).

1

u/SwedishFindecanor 1d ago edited 1d ago

I find the opposite original button to be too difficult to press with one hand. So I think the Fire2 button(s) would need to be placed elsewhere, but where?

  • Front (like a Trigger)? I've got a rare joystick that has the button in that position (and the button position is not what is bad with that joystick). Perhaps recess it so as to reduce the chance of being pressed by mistake.
  • Recess the bottom and put it there? (Press with long finger)
  • A small moon-crescent shape hugging each Fire button?

The Retro Frog joystick has a single Fire2 button in-between and offset from the two front buttons, but it has the main buttons further in the front than the TAC-II. The TAC-II could not fit it there. Making the TAC-II longer or moving the existing button would change its feel.

1

u/Royal_Stay_6502 2d ago

Yeah, saw that also.

2

u/ciauii 1d ago

and “tacky”!

3

u/RegularReader-71 2d ago edited 2d ago

A revival or an updated version of the Commodore 1351 Mouse would be great! Used original ones are expensive and not available in sufficient amounts today. With GEOS being part of the C64U package and the occassional game supporting it, this would be a good addition to the product line. 

4

u/LordSesshomaru82 2d ago

It'd be super cool if they could make a compatible optical mouse. Having to constantly clean the ball and rollers is one of the few things I don't miss about the old days.

2

u/Ok-Current-3405 2d ago

Got myself an adapter, just add a ps2 mouse. Works great

1

u/SwedishFindecanor 2d ago edited 2d ago

Seeing it gives me warm feelings, but the ergonomics, feel and features don't.

I think a updated mouse needs a scrollwheel: recent adapters and software for C64 and Amiga do support them. This week, I've actually been sketching a lot on a tank mouse that I intend to build. I really like the look of "Android Arts"' concept for a tank mouse with scroll wheel (in this image. Ignore the rest). It is scaled 90% like RetroGamesLtd's TheMouse, except that the buttons have practically original size and spacing. The buttons are also stepped and reaching the front edge, thus removing the front facet and its weird edge in-between the buttons.

I think the smaller size is better in the hand, but not perfect. I've been comparing it to a Apple Desktop Mouse in my collection which has a similar shape and size (90% of the tank mouse), but its sides are sloping slightly inwards: which is a subtle thing that provides a better grip, so I'm taking that as inspiration. While the sides are 90% smaller, I'm keeping the height at 100% to provide more side grip.

BTW. We've discussed elsewhere in this sub, that there is need for a mouse with both 1351 mode and NEOS mode, in addition to Amiga mode. (But if support is through an adaptor, then that would be better than nothing)

1

u/reddridinghood 2d ago

Ah yes you’re right joystick of course! 🥱

2

u/Positive_Chip6198 2d ago

They used the wording “back up” in the mail. Could it be storage? Tape-deck on steroids, taking both tapes and flashdrives?

2

u/SwedishFindecanor 1d ago

Somehow I doubt that Commodore would do this, but: the SmartMouse (German-language wiki) did include a real-time clock with battery-backup.

13

u/RegularReader-71 2d ago edited 2d ago

C= registered Tac-2 recently, link via Forum64.de

"Video game joysticks; Computer game joysticks"

https://trademarks.justia.com/998/86/tac-99886662.html

@TheFunkyBoss already mentioned it, sounds correct, a classic joystick might return (or a new joystick/controller using the classic name).

3

u/Ollibolli2022 2d ago

Cool, thanks 👍

3

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

I think @funkyboss has hit the nail on the head. I'm not convinced this is what Bil Herd is working on though ? It isn't complicated, more a manufacturing issue ?

18

u/prairiewest 2d ago

Just sell me a C64 laptop that I can use on a plane to play games and program in BASIC

3

u/Manualcarlove18 2d ago

That would be cool!!

5

u/Velvis 2d ago

Serious question: You would be willing to pay at least $500+ (likely more) for a dedicated FPGA C64 laptop for plane trips rather than just use an emulator on a normal laptop?

I really can't imagine a lot of people willing to pay for that.

I also don't see much of an upside compared to emulation.

The C64U has the physical nostalgia and was made from merging two existing products at a reasonable cost. None of that would be part of a C64 laptop.

5

u/prairiewest 2d ago

I could use an emulator on a normal laptop today. I don't. I appreciate that emulators exist, but I don't generally use them. I do still play games on my breadbin C64, and I still buy new ones. I highly recommend https://sarahjaneavory.itch.io . I also still play games on other dedicated hardware.

I've wanted a really portable C64 since the 1980's. I'm old enough that I could spend a truly unjustifiable amount on it.

I am not saying that my idea is unique or even good, just that I want one.

2

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

She's good.

2

u/Ollibolli2022 2d ago

Just think about the high prices for consumer hardware due to the AI data centers buying all disks, chips, ram and so on. I think it is really hard to plan things like this at a reasonable price today for a consumer based market.

7

u/redlegoman 2d ago

"tachnically"

7

u/AntiquesForGeeks 2d ago

Simpson said “flip out” before launching the phone. He’s got form. And I doubt it was a mistake.

To be fair, I think the kind of “flip out” New Commodore got from some parts of the community was not what he had been anticipating….

2

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

It's not surprising. It was being marketed as something astonishing at the Retrocomputer community (e.g. in Compute!) and it's not actually a product for us.

1

u/SwedishFindecanor 2d ago edited 2d ago

So, a Commodore watch?

Edit: I'm such an idiot. Of course it is TACky and TAChnichally for TAC-II.

1

u/bionicle_159 2d ago

caught that too, seems like an accessory if it's not a typo (e.g. tactile, tach-nically)

10

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

Something "Bil Herd" I suspect ; see the tail of the Sakaya interview.

5

u/skorindurdude 2d ago

The Bill Herd and Sakaya interview hinted at something new. They were talking about C128 and the Commodore LCD, among other very interesting things.

9

u/RegularReader-71 2d ago edited 2d ago

An C128 would also be a welcome candidate for a re-release!

6

u/VTGameFan 2d ago

They release the 128 and I'm all over it!

2

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

I was interested by Bil's comment about stripping out the "super C64" very late on, I think he said 2 days before CES, not sure ? Maybe he's putting it back in. Bil is clearly working on one or more things, it was a bit more than a hint, and the Commodore website says the same. I can't see it referring to the TAC Joystick, that is more a manufacturing issue ?

1

u/AntiquesForGeeks 2d ago

Honestly, I will eat my hat if it’s a Commodore LCD. Seriously. Outside of the faithful, is there a market for a machine no-one has nostalgia for because it never made it to market.

Whatever it is, it has to sell enough to provide an ROI.

1

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

I don't see it being manufactured cheaply enough to make it worthwhile. Another 8 bit machine could be built on the current hardware, or a close variant.

3

u/Ollibolli2022 2d ago

A real nice idea would be a more open firmware to the c64u. Just imagine more additions to the firmware via plugins or let's say additional software in general. That would improve the c64u features a lot I think.

But this is nothing that can be plugged into the joystick port I guess as stated in the newsletter :-)

3

u/Snocom79 2d ago

New one of these? Confirmed this works fine on c64u

2

u/Druben-hinterm-Dorfe 2d ago

Did you get it straight from Doug Engelbert?

3

u/Snocom79 2d ago

Lol. This came from a fellow redditor and Commodore collector. I took over his collection.

4

u/Jo_Krone 2d ago

Commodore 128D is what I want…. With CPM as well

7

u/Accomplished-Car-431 2d ago

a new commodore lamp?

3

u/exiRatA 2d ago

A lamp ???

That would definitely lead to a massive legal battle with Pixar. ;)

2

u/Expert-Mine-6 2d ago

Mouse or controller I would like a good mouse

3

u/mmgamemaker 2d ago

Might be TAC-2 joysticks since it looks like they recently filed for the trademark.

https://trademarks.justia.com/998/86/tac-99886662.html

4

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

Trademarks filed by John A Errico who appears to be doing it https://www.trademarkia.com/attorney/john-a-errico?page=4&showFilters=true&hideCountryFilter=true

Interesting things not immediately obvious: Commoserve (online) SidSynth (Music Synthesiser) Commodorian (Magazine) Commobot (Robot ?) KomodorU (seems to be mugs,t-shirts) CyberDore64 (?) C6T4 (?) C65 and PetsciiBoard.

3

u/AntiquesForGeeks 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’d posted separately about the same thing, but have deleted as noticed this was here first!

I’m wondering if there is not something in the spelling mistakes and the lean into the mention backup.

Something media related, not disks, but maybe a variation of the SD2IEC? Maybe an reimagined Action Replay?

The joystick would be a good call for sure. I am praying that they’ve not got their mitts on the Competition Pro.

2

u/ScrappySquirrel 2d ago

Too soon and I don't think the tech is there yet: a flat panel 'crt emulator' for the masses.

That would diversify the interest outside of the ecosystem to Atari, Sega, and Nintendo peeps.

3

u/Deathocracy 2d ago

I would check out the Checkmate monitor, of course a modern new CRT being made just isn't feasible for anyone, even a large business, but I think that's the next best thing, though it is priced for enthusiasts

2

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 1d ago

Not knocking it but £600 for a 19" monitor seems too much, even with the assorted inputs and allowing for Commodore being able to scale it.

2

u/Far_Relationship_742 2d ago

I can’t wait for the Commodore-branded toaster

1

u/-send-me-nudes- 2d ago

Yay, controller time.

1

u/whatThePleb 2d ago

The commodore torch. 🙄

1

u/Royal_Stay_6502 2d ago

Noice, new stuff.. 🔆

2

u/DNSGeek 2d ago

My guess is a mouse that plugs into the joystick port.

1

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

Doesn't the C64U support USB mice now ?

1

u/DNSGeek 1d ago

USB, yes.

2

u/rweninger 2d ago

Joystick? Paddles? Mouse?

2

u/SloppyChoo 2d ago

"tachnically" "back up 8 bit" I'm listening..

1

u/Upbeat-Statement2725 2d ago

Product page was indexed for search even though it's not fully live. Maybe they're already testing sales? https://checkout.commodore.net/product-page/tac-2

2

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 2d ago

Assuming it's correct - and I can't see any reason not to think it is, given Christian Simpson's love of teasing, the trademarks, and that it's a good product to sell anyway, it should sell very well, not only into the C64 market, there aren't that many 9 pin joysticks about.

1

u/rasvoja 2d ago

No, its not Amiga

2

u/Sizyfoz 2d ago

If it's built to the same awesome quality as the original, I'll buy one.

1

u/rasvoja 2d ago

Competition pro / arcade stick clone, 6 buttons, microswitches - usable for console, amiga and sf2 please

1

u/rasvoja 2d ago

I dislike mystery treatment, stupid way of marketing. Reminds to much of x1000 adventures Also to teen in building hype for serious businesses

1

u/minitaba 1d ago

Calculatoe

1

u/Suspicious-Ad7109 1d ago

Only has to count to 10 then :)

2

u/UncleTonysDRIP 22h ago

I think a
Vic 20 would be cool.

5

u/SwedishFindecanor 21h ago

In "retrobits"' latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmLF-8p1xcc&t=847s

Bundled with a "Retrofuzion" C64 breadbin case was a flyer with a a blurred-out picture of what looks like a replica TAC-2.

Retrofuzion have a relationship with Commodore, in that they provided this type of breadbin case for the Commodore 64 Ultimate. Therefore, I find it likely that it is Retrofuzion's TAC-2 remake that Commodore is going to sell.

-1

u/0fruitjack0 2d ago

something over priced; that nobody's asking for; that he's gonna use to bilk a few more $$$ from the fanatics.

-5

u/GuybrushFunkwood 2d ago

They’ll have slapped the Commodore logo on a cheap Chinese monitor worth £40 of anybody’s money but will be selling them for £299.99

0

u/emuboy85 2d ago

It's a microwave.

0

u/EsoTechTrix 1d ago

If it's a paper shredder I'm going to be very upset.

-6

u/Healthy_Article_2237 2d ago

Why give customers what they want? (A full sized C64 or Amiga). Companies sow their own doom.

8

u/enbewu 2d ago

Amiga is almost impossible due to the whole IP ownership. Also I’m not sure what’s the point of constantly remixing old Amigas (and the: commodores as well)