NEXT LAUNCHER ULTIMATE - ONLINE EDITION v16.2G
 

Overview

Next Launcher is a game launching organiser, which revolutionises the way you manage your ZX Spectrum Next games collection. Now with 3,000 editable game & media slots, fully searchable. A host of features with a fully customisable front end.  Based on feedback, this version is now a more flexible and customisable feel to it, offering you possibilities to manage multimedia as well instant online games direct to game slots as optional extra downloads. Customisation even allows you to have background music added to any game on playback, or video clip on boot, and the software has a decent built in game search so you can get active with a game in no time after organising your content. A real customizable game media hub for your humble Next, or Next clone machine!

This is a brand new media and Internet enhanced version with mouse support of the product. You can of course use the keyboard or joystick to navigate if you so wish. It has taken months of development time. A team project produced by: Richard Szerman. Please see the ABOUT screen of Launcher for all the people who have played a pivotal part of the success of the overall project, or have been a past contributor.

Key Features

Please read the PDF's that come with the download for key information about the product and how to set it up

* Organise games, tools, music, video and documents with ease ** Says goodbye to a disorganised SD card
* Mouse controlled ** Quicker launching & navigation of games, changing of wallpaper, gaming banks & Music Xtream
* Alternative joystick navigation ** or simply use the keyboard it is all down to you
* Assign games in the menu slots by browsing the SD Card or now download directly online. ** Configured and working Wi-Fi card required.
* Organise your menus how you want them ** Categorise your games, applications, utilities or documents whatever the format.
* Customisable ** From wallpapers, boot screens and colour schemes with a choice of colour palettes
 with more available to download, or add your own.
* Launcher hardware products support **such as the Game loading Mouse & ZX Retro Wireless. Load Tape games with the new retro way!
* Direct online Launcher updates ** Stay up-to-date with the latest features and bug fixes.
* News ticker ** Get the latest Next News and updates on Launcher.
* Flexible game management ** Move games & menus and create quick links between banks and menus
* Music Xtream downloader PT3 player  ** Creates background music for your Launcher experience pick from thousands of PT3 tunes online, easy from the settings menu
* Enable/Disable Launcher on boot ** Choose to have Launcher starts on boot or select from the Next Browser menu.
* Built in manual & key map ** Quick keymap guide just by pressing the Exented Mode key, or right joystick button

Charity aware
This software has been developed over many hours and available for you as a unrestricted download for you for FREE. If you intend to use this Software, we ask you to consider a donation of your choosing to our Cancer Research Fundraiser for vital research. It is for the greater good, for everyone. 1 in 3 of us will get cancer in our lifetime, your donation will help to beat it. Your Donation, however small, to Cancer Research via this link is my inspiration to develop great Spectrum software for you - while keeping our retro community healthy as we grow old. PLEASE VISIT www.gofundme.com/f/u2canstopcancer We raised 1,000 pounds in 2023.. Every little bit helps!

PLUG-INS
Launcher Text friendly Frames wallpaper (Unzip to your Launcher\Wallpaper\Frames folder). Download HERE
Launcher Wallpaper  Pack  (Unzip to your Launcher\Wallpaper folder) Download HERE

Want to try out legacy Specy games before using the online game to Launcher slot feature?
Try the games directly to your browser using this link Click HERE
 

I want to acknowledge the exceptional people who have given up their free time (past and present) and influenced - or been part of the software and hardware projects that have come about. My heartfelt thanks to you! 

Richard Szerman
Next Launcher Designer

PAST CONTRIBUTORS
Allan Johnstone - Facebook admin, Beta testing, Hardware
Michael Markowski - Facebook moderator
David Isherwood - Beta tester
Dean Woodyatt - PCB designer
Dave Sonic Clarke - Web coding, hosting back end
Bret Pritchard -  Beta tester, and video demos
Matthew Preston - Beta tester
Dave Flynn - Beta tester
Alan Robinson - Beta tester
Justin Smith - Beta tester
Jarda Novotnej - Graphics
Remy Sharp
HTTP Internet device driver & API back-end to www.spectrumcomputing.co.uk for the game downloads.
Miroslav Bursa (Shrek/MB Maniax)
WC WIFI card config driver
HeartWare
Tape2Tap & NextServer
Damien Guard
Font designs in v14
David Saphier
Use of PT3 & fsize device drivers
Ilya Nikishin (Caliph)
"Classic World2" music
Hirac Kasapoglu
ZX Spectrum Gamer app - Implementing multi speed support for ZX Retro Wireless/Game loading mouse
Goran Devic, Baltazr Studios
- PlayZx app - Implementing multi speed support for ZX Retro Wireless/Game loading mouse
Anriy S'omak
ZX Tape Player app - ZXTunes com - PT3 Specy archive
Sean Malseed
68k News - Multi-regional news back end for Next News Headlines
Stuart Knightley, David Duponchel, Franz Buchinger & Antonio Afonso
JsSpeccy Emulator Plug-in
PT3 Music by: Bony Soft, Caliph, Dextor, CPU, CHEREPOVETZ, MmcMSage, Scalesmann, Voxel3umf & DJz..
SID Music  by: Thomas Peterson, Alain Hertenstein, Jens-Christian Huss, Johannes Bjerregaard, Markus Schneider (Diflex), Jeroen Soede, Rob Hubbard, Jeroen Kimmel, Thomas Petersen, Jeroen Tel, Jen-Christian Huus, Edwin van Santen, Charles Deenen, Dave Lee & Marcel Donn