ZX Spectrum Next
{{Short description|Remake of a popular microcomputer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = ZX Spectrum Next
| logo =
| image = ZX Spectrum Next Issue 1.jpg
| alt =
| caption = A cased ZX Spectrum Next from the 1st Kickstarter
| developer = SpecNext
| manufacturer = SMS Electronics
| type = Home computer
| generation =
| lifespan =
| discontinued =
| cpu = Zilog Z80 implemented in FPGA
| memory =
- 1st Kickstarter: {{val|1024|ul=KB}} (upgradeable to 2048 KB)
- 2nd Kickstarter: 2048 KB
| predecessor =
| successor =
| releasedate =
- 1st Kickstarter: December 2017 (development board), February 2020 (cased)
- 2nd Kickstarter: December 2023
| unitssold =
- 1st Kickstarter: 3010+ (3010 cased)
- 2nd Kickstarter: 5100+
| dimensions =
| weight =
| topgame =
}}
The ZX Spectrum Next is an 8-bit home computer, initially released in 2017, which is compatible with software and hardware for the 1982 ZX Spectrum. It also has enhanced capabilities.{{cite news
| last = Bush
| first = Steve
| title = ZX Spectrum rides again, with Z80 and optional Raspberry Pi Zero
| newspaper = Electronics Weekly
| date = 28 April 2017
| url = https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/products/bus-systems-sbcs/zx-spectrum-rides-zx80-raspberry-pi-zero-2017-04/ }}{{cite news
| last = Beschizza
| first = Rob
| title = ZX Spectrum Next is an advanced version of the original 8-bit monster machine
| newspaper = BoingBoing
| date = 30 April 2017
| url = https://boingboing.net/2017/04/30/zx-spectrum-next-is-an-advance.html }} It is intended to appeal to retrocomputing enthusiasts and to "encourage a new generation of bedroom coders", according to project member Jim Bagley.{{cite news
| last = Crooks
| first = David
| title = ZX Spectrum Next Raspberry Pi project showcase
| newspaper = MagPi Magazine
| date = December 2019
| url = https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/zx-spectrum-next-raspberry-pi-project-showcase }}
Despite the name, the machine is not directly affiliated with Sinclair Research Ltd., Sir Clive Sinclair or the current owner of the trademarks, Sky Group.
History
The Next started life in 2010 in Brazil, as a variant of the TK95 Spectrum clone. In 2016, Victor Trucco and Fabio Belavenuto announced the "TBBlue" firmware, named after the two creators and the colour of the solder mask of the motherboard, a bare circuit board implementation of the product for advanced hobbyists.
With the help of Henrique Olifiers the duo wanted to export the TBBlue to the UK, the ZX Spectrum's original home, having received moderate success with the board in Brazil.{{cite news
| last = Carroll
| first = Martyn
| title = The Next Level - Introducing the ZX Spectrum Next
| newspaper = Retro Gamer (UK)
| date = 15 Jan 2020
| url = https://issuu.com/futurepublishing/docs/ret203.issuu }}
The Next was first announced as a distinct product in 2016 after the participation of original Spectrum industrial designer Rick Dickinson was secured. A crowdfunding campaign was launched on the Kickstarter platform in January 2017 with an initial funding goal of £250,000.{{cite news
| title = Celebrate the Sinclair ZX Spectrum's 35th anniversary with… yet another retro console
| newspaper = Metro (UK)
| date = 24 April 2017
| url = https://metro.co.uk/2017/04/24/celebrate-the-sinclair-zx-spectrums-35th-anniversary-with-yet-another-retro-console-6594446/ }} At the end of the campaign 3,113 backers pledged £723,390. While the campaign was successful in creating a userbase for the new platform, it was not a commercial success. Due to what campaign creators call "bad tax advice" the production of the machines ended up causing costs instead of revenue to the creators.{{cite news
| title = ZX Spectrum reboot promising – steady now – 28MHz of sizzling Speccy speed now boasts improved Wi-Fi
| newspaper = The Register
| date = 13 August 2020
| url = https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/13/spectrum_next_issue_2_crowdfunding/ }}
Although initially intended to use the original ZX Spectrum's Z80 chip,{{cite news |last1=Ridden |first1=Paul |title=Home computing classic reborn as ZX Spectrum Next |url=https://newatlas.com/specnext-zx-spectrum-next/49180/ |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=New Atlas |date=24 April 2017}} the design was altered to use the Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA,{{cite news
| last = Hattersley
| first = Lucy
| title = ZX Spectrum Next Accelerated review
| newspaper = MagPi Magazine
| date = April 2020
| url = https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/zx-spectrum-next-accelerated-review }} to allow "hardware sprites, scrolling, and other advanced features to be incorporated within the machine itself".
The board-only computer was delivered to backers in December 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835143999/zx-spectrum-next/posts/2085604|title=Update 24: What's next for the Next (including full computers shipping estimate) · ZX Spectrum Next|website=Kickstarter|access-date=13 August 2019}} After some design and production delays, the first batch of finished units were delivered to backers in March 2020.
A second Kickstarter launched on 11 August 2020 at 21:00 BST and reached 100% funding (£250,000) within minutes.{{cite news
| title = Opvolger ZX Spectrum Next krijgt snellere cpu-modes en meer ram
| newspaper = Tweakers
| date = 12 August 2020
| url = https://tweakers.net/geek/170780/opvolger-zx-spectrum-next-krijgt-snellere-cpu-modes-en-meer-ram.html }}{{cite news |title=ZX Spectrum Next Issue 2 blasts through Kickstarter goal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53765852 |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=BBC News |date=13 August 2020}} The campaign closed on 10 September 2020 with £1,847,106 (738% funding){{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Adam |title=Kicktraq: ZX Spectrum Next - Issue 2 |url=https://www.kicktraq.com/projects/spectrumnext/zx-spectrum-next-issue-2/ |website=Kicktraq |access-date=7 September 2021}}
= Industrial design =
The Next's case design{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9574086@N02/albums/72157685519763101|title=Specnext1.1157|date=September 28, 2017}} is by Rick Dickinson who designed the original 48K Spectrum and Spectrum+, but passed away during the development of the keyboard of the computer.{{cite news
| last = Halfacree
| first = Gareth
| title = Industrial designer Rick Dickinson passes away
| newspaper = Bit-Tech.Net
| date = 26 April 2018
| url = https://bit-tech.net/news/tech/industrial-designer-rick-dickinson-passes-away/1/ }} It takes design cues from the original Spectrum, Spectrum+ and Spectrum 128, not the later Spectrum +2 or +3 manufactured by Amstrad. In addition to Rick Dickinson's work, his industrial design partner, Phil Candy,{{Cite web |date=2017-04-29 |title=About – ZX SPECTRUM NEXT |url=https://www.specnext.com/about/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Langevin |first=Audrey |date=2020-08-15 |title=ZX Spectrum, online tutoring, and hybrid air vehicles; Crowdfunding now |url=https://www.maddyness.com/uk/2020/08/15/zx-spectrum-online-tutoring-and-hybrid-air-vehicles-crowdfunding-now/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Maddyness UK |language=en-UK}}{{Cite web |title=Retro Isle - Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next |url=https://www.retroisle.com/general/specnext.php |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=www.retroisle.com}} also collaborated on the design and took over after Dickinson's passing.
Reception
The Next has received generally favorable reviews in the specialist press. In the official Raspberry Pi magazine "MagPi", Lucy Hattersley called it "a lovely piece of kit", noting that it is "well-designed and well-built: authentic to the original, and with technology that nods to the past while remaining functional and relevant in the modern age".
In PC Pro magazine, columnist Gareth Halfacree called the Next "undeniably impressive" while noting that the printed manual lacks an index, and that some features are "not quite ready".{{cite news
| last = Halfacree
| first = Gareth
| title = ZX Spectrum Next
| newspaper = PC Pro Magazine (UK)
| issue = 309
| pages = 48{{ndash}}50
| date = July 2020 }}
Retro Gamer featured an 8-page interview with the creators of the machine about the highs and lows of creating a "true successor to the much-loved Sinclair micro".
Models
Revisions of the Next's motherboard's design are referred to as "Issues", in keeping with the original ZX Spectrum,{{cite web |title=ZX Spectrum Models |url=https://spectrumforeveryone.com/technical/zx-spectrum-models/ |website=Spectrum For Everyone |access-date=25 April 2022}} and have been made to either improve quality or in response to problems with the supply of components. Care has been taken to not change the core capabilities, compatibility, and specifications of all models of the Next between Issues.
| class="wikitable"
|+ Overview of the Next hardware specifications | |
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | Z80N (Zilog Z80 compatible with additional instructions) implemented in FPGA |
| Speed | 3.5, 7, 14 or 28 MHz |
| RAM | 1024 KB base (768 KB free), 2048 KB maximum (1792 KB free), in 8 KB banks paged in and out of Z80's 64 KB address space; 256 KB is reserved for ROMs |
| Graphics | From 128 × 96 to 640 × 256 pixels. |
| Colour | Depending on mode and layer, 16 or 256 colours on-screen with no colour clash in certain modes, from a palette of 512 colours. |
| Sprites | Up to 128 hardware sprites of 16 × 16 pixels |
| Sound | Traditional "Beeper", 3 × General Instrument AY-3-8910 programmable sound generators (each with 3 channels for a total of 9 channels), and 4 × 8-bit DACs implemented in FPGA |
| Software | NextZXOS Operating System + NextBASIC; prior versions of Sinclair BASIC and optionally CP/M |
| Connectivity | Tape in/out, Audio out, HDMI, VGA/RGB, 2 x Cursor/Kempston/Sinclair joystick connectors, PS/2 mouse port (Kempston mouse emulation), ZX Spectrum compatible expansion bus, WiFi on selected models |
| Storage | Built-in DV-MMC-compatible SD-card slot; optionally cassette tape, Sinclair ZX Microdrive (with Sinclair ZX Interface 1) or any other storage system compatible with original ZX Spectrum series |
= First Kickstarter =
Four models of the Next were produced in the first Kickstarter{{Citation needed|date=April 2022|reason=Kickstarter URLs blacklisted at the moment}} using the Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA{{Citation needed|date=April 2022|reason=Kickstarter URLs blacklisted at the moment}}.
| class="wikitable"
|+ Overview of the first Kickstarter's Next models | ||||||
| Model name | Cased | real-time clock installed | Wi-Fi installed | Raspberry Pi Zero "Accelerator" installed | Board Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZX Spectrum Next developer board | No | No | No | No | 2A | Only board Issue which can fit in an original, modified, ZX Spectrum case |
| ZX Spectrum Next | Yes | No | No | No | 2B | Does not require modification, with a capacitor, to eliminate electronic "noise"{{cite web |last1=Olifiers |first1=Henrique |title=Next Board 2A Capacitor Mod |url=https://www.specnext.com/next-board-2a-capacitor-mod/ |website=ZX Spectrum Next |access-date=13 August 2020}} |
| ZX Spectrum Next Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 2B | |
| ZX Spectrum Next Accelerated | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2B | Accelerator enables loading compressed tzx tape images from SD-card and provides emulation of the MOS Technology 6581 SID soundchip. |
All models include 1024 KB RAM (768 KB free) and can be upgraded by the owner;
- Adding two 512 KB chips brings the RAM to 2048 KB (1792 KB free).
- An internal "beeper" speaker can be installed.
- Any of the higher models' optional extras can be installed.
= Second Kickstarter =
Two models of the Next were offered in the second Kickstarter{{Citation needed|date=April 2022|reason=Kickstarter URLs blacklisted at the moment}}{{Cite web|date=2020-08-11|title=ZX Spectrum Next Second Kickstarter smashes its goal in less than fifteen minutes! {{!}} News {{!}} The Digital Fix|url=https://www.thedigitalfix.com/gaming/news/zx-spectrum-kickstarter-2-goal-met/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=Gaming @ The Digital Fix|language=en}} using the Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA{{Citation needed|date=April 2022|reason=Kickstarter URLs blacklisted at the moment}}.
| class="wikitable"
|+ Overview of the second Kickstarter's Next models | ||
| Model name | Raspberry Pi Zero "Accelerator" installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ZX Spectrum Next Plus | No | Wi-Fi module relocated to avoid audio interference |
| ZX Spectrum Next Accelerated | Yes |
Both models are cased, include a real-time clock, Wi-Fi, and 2048 KB RAM (1792 KB free), use board Issue 4, and can be upgraded by the owner;
- An internal "beeper" speaker can be installed.
- A Raspberry Pi Zero unit can be installed as an "Accelerator" into the Next Plus.
Operating system and software
The default operating system of the Next is NextZXOS. The operating system provides a graphical file browser and menu based access to Next's features. In addition the machine has an extended BASIC interpreter NextBASIC, with commands and features added to support the new capabilities, such as support for 9-channel AY-sound and built-in sprite graphics editor.
NextZXOS and NextBASIC were written by Garry Lancaster, and the machine is provided with printed manual covering the OS and BASIC in detail. The first edition of the manual can be downloaded from the official website.
In addition to the native OS, the Next is able to run prior versions of Sinclair BASIC, such as 48K BASIC and 128K BASIC. The Next is also able to run CP/M. Although this does potentially open a sizeable software library of CP/M to the Next users, it is worth noting that CP/M cannot take advantage of the machine's advanced capabilities, such as large memory.
Some 3rd party "Next only" software has sprung into existence despite the comparatively short time that the machine has been on the market.{{cite web |title=Games |url=https://www.spectrumnextgames.uk |website=Spectrum Next Games |access-date=20 August 2020}} These include the likes of NxTel by Robin Verhagen-Guest (a Teletext-style Next specific webservice accessible via Wi-Fi), and NextDAW by Gari Biasillo (a digital audio workstation software capable of utilizing the Next's sound capabilities for creating Chiptunes). NxTel comes bundled with the machine on the accompanying SD-Card.
Some of the original ZX Spectrum games have also been upgraded or are being upgraded to utilize Next's improved graphics and sound. Among the most notable remakes are Atic Atac with improved graphics by Craig Stevenson. The new game version is backed by the current owner of the rights Rare studio and the Next port is written by Kev Brady.{{citation
| title = Melkhior's Mansion - In Dev Ultimate Play the Game Atic Atac inspiration looks so awesome!
| website = Indie Retro News
| date = 2020-08-17
| url = http://www.indieretronews.com/2020/02/melkhiors-mansion-in-dev-ultimate-play.html}}
Licensing
The NextZXOS and NextBASIC are both released under Open/Closed-Source hybrid license called "The Next License", with all parts of the OS being closed source by default, unless explicitly placed under open-source MIT License. The Next License prohibits selling the software and charging a duplication fee for it, but cost-free distribution is allowed under the CreativeCommons Attribution-ShareAlike license. The OS and BASIC are publicly hosted on GitLab.
Hardware is released under a "mixed source" proprietary license.
The VHDL/Verilog for the FPGA digital design is available on GitLab and licensed under GPL3.
Everything else is closed including the Schematics, the PCB master files and keyboard/case 3D model.
Personalities and alternative FPGA cores
The Next is able to reproduce the behaviour of any prior Sinclair ZX80, ZX81 or Spectrum machine, as well as some notable ZX Spectrum clones (both official and unlicensed) through a feature called "Personalities". Examples of such clone personalities are Timex Sinclair TC2048 and the Russian Pentagon machines. Personalities can match hardware features, timings, memory, graphics and sound capabilities and OS version with the machines to be reproduced in an effort to provide full compatibility with them. The default personality of the Next is based on Sinclair ZX Spectrum +3e. It is also possible for the user to configure and add new personalities as needed.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
The Next can also be used to recreate a number of other, non-Spectrum based computers, such as the Acorn BBC Micro, as long as their hardware will "fit" into the FPGA.{{cite web |last1=Dokos |first1=Phoebus |title=Multiple FPGA Cores Support |url=https://www.specnext.com/multicore/ |website=ZX Spectrum Next |access-date=13 August 2020 |date=27 April 2020}} These recreations are known as "cores". The machine can also be made to boot directly into an alternative core. While the use of alternate cores is supported, the cores themselves are unofficial third-party projects. A Sinclair QL core is described as "very stable, [ booting ] every time".{{cite web |last1=Trucco |first1=Victor |title=QL progress #1 |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/ql-progress-1-40764593 |website=Patreon |access-date=25 August 2020}}
Clones and emulators
File:N-GO board, clone of ZX Spectrum Next.jpg
The Next team actively encourages the manufacture of clone machines to promote and expand the userbase as much as possible.
Clones of the Next include:
;Xilinx FPGA-based clones
- ZXDOS+ (board) / gomaDOS+ (board with case)
- N-GO (board/computer), which can be installed into a modified ZX Spectrum case in the same way as the Next Issue 2A or comes with its own mechanical keyboard+enclosure
- XBerry Pi, a Raspberry Pi sized miniaturized full ZX Spectrum Next clone{{cite web |title=Xberry Pi |url=https://zxrenew.co.uk/Xberry-Pi-p596973674 |website=ZX Renew |access-date=11 February 2024}}
;Altera FPGA-based clones
- UnAmiga (board with case)
- UnAmiga Reloaded (board with case)
- Multicore 2 / Multicore 2+ (board with case)
- NeptUNO (board with case)
- MiST (Core with TZX loading and RTC support)
- Sidi (Low cost MiST derivative)
- Mister (Core with special dual SDRAM/SRAM memory addon)
- MiSTer an Intel Cyclone V based board with 1 GB DDR3 and hundred open source retro cores [https://github.com/MiSTer-devel/Main_MiSTer/wiki]
Emulators of the Next include:{{cite web |title=Emulators |url=https://wiki.specnext.dev/Emulators |website=SpecNext official Wiki |access-date=14 August 2020}}
- ZEsarUX by Cesar Hernandez{{cite web |last1=Olifiers |first1=Henrique |title=ZEsarUX: Next emulator |url=https://www.specnext.com/emulating-the-next-zesarux/ |website=ZX Spectrum Next |access-date=14 August 2020}}
- #CSpect by Mike Dailly{{cite web |last1=Dailly |first1=Mike |title=#CSpect V2.12.34
|url=http://www.cspect.org/ |website=The life of a Games Programmer |access-date=14 August 2020}}
References
{{Commons}}
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://specnext.com/ Official website]
- Kickstarter campaigns;
- [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835143999/zx-spectrum-next/ First (board Issues 2A and 2B, from 23 April 2017 to 23 May 2017)]
- [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835143999/zx-spectrum-next-issue-2/ Second (board Issue 4, from 11 August 2020 to 10 September 2020)]
- FPGA cores;
- [https://gitlab.com/SpectrumNext/ZX_Spectrum_Next_FPGA Open-source FPGA firmware]
- GitLab repository [https://gitlab.com/victor.trucco/zx-spectrum-next-cores Victor Trucco: ZX Spectrum Next Cores]
{{Sinclair computers and clones}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Computer-related introductions in 2017
Category:Computers designed in the United Kingdom
Category:Kickstarter-funded products