Elite Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum, User Manual

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3: Device-Layer Basics
Now that you have set up the Recreated ZX Spectrum, you will want to use it. The rest of this User Manual,
along with the re-prints of the Introduction and BASIC Programming manuals (supplied with the original Sinclair
ZX Spectrum and referred to in Appendix A and Appendix B below), tell you how to do that. To paraphrase what
was written about the original Sinclair ZX Spectrum, “If you’ve already started pressing the keys on the Rubber
Keyboard to see what they do then good; you cannot harm it in this way. Be bold. Experiment. If you get stuck,
remember … you can always reset the app by closing it down and opening it up again.”
The Recreated ZX Spectrum’s ‘Game Mode’ has been perfected for iOS / Android apps and for games in general …
its ‘QWERTY Mode’ has been honed for applications requiring access to all the functionality of a full-size keyboard.
The Game Mode
The Recreated ZX Spectrum is, by design, a wireless controller for use with iOS (and selected Android) devices,
games and apps including the FREE Recreated ZX Spectrum iOS / Android apps. Currently available Bluetooth
keyboards when used with iOS (and selected Android) devices can’t track key releases, limiting their use to simple
word processing tasks or to use as controllers for slow role playing games. The Recreated ZX Spectrum’s custom
hardware and clever firmware has been specifically-engineered to offer optimal response for fast ‘twitch’ games
(and indeed other apps) on iOS (and selected Android) devices. Developers are encourage to use the Recreated ZX
Spectrum’s ‘Game Mode’ as a wireless controller for their own iOS and Android apps. A ‘Developer Guide’ can be
found at RecreatedZXSpectrum.com .
The QWERTY Mode
The Recreated ZX Spectrum is also, by design, a QWERTY keyboard for use with applications - for phones, tablets,
Macs / PCs (and (now or in the future) connected TVs) - requiring access to all the functionality of a full-size
keyboard. As the Recreated ZX Spectrum’s Rubber Keyboard has only 40 keys, a few of the keys - notably the
‘CAPS SHIFT’ and ‘SYMBOL SHIFT’ keys - are reserved in its ‘QWERTY Mode’ to provide access to the additional
keyboard functionality not anticipated by the designers of the original Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
As a consequence of these keys being reserved, applications requiring access the Recreated ZX Spectrum’s ‘CAPS
SHIFT’ and ‘SYMBOL SHIFT’ keys, (including ZX Spectrum games and applications run under emulation) will not
function 100% correctly with its ‘QWERTY Mode’. To get the most out of the Recreated ZX Spectrum, users are
encouraged to seek out games, apps and applications, (including ZX Spectrum games and applications run under
emulation) which have been optimised for use with the Recreated ZX Spectrum’s ‘Game Mode’. Such games,
apps and applications can be found by searching your app store or searching ONLINE using the search term
‘Recreated ZX Spectrum’. A list of these apps and ONLINE web apps for the Recreated ZX Spectrum can be found
at RecreatedZXSpectrum.com For similar reason, developers are encouraged to use the Recreated ZX Spectrum’s
‘Game Mode’ for their own games, apps and applications and to market them as optimised for the Recreated ZX
Spectrum.
Factory Settings Locked / Unlocked
The following factory settings are (or may be) applied to the Recreated ZX Spectrum (depending upon the (variant).
- Locked to its ‘Game Mode’ (all ‘Game Mode’ functions available, limited ‘QWERTY Mode’ functions available).
- Unlocked (all ‘Game Mode’ functions available, all ‘QWERTY Mode’ functions available).
If the Recreated ZX Spectrum is Locked it can easily be Unlocked using the FREE Recreated ZX Spectrum app (or
ONLINE web app). To check whether it is Locked or Unlocked, follow the steps outlined above to download the
app and connect the Recreated ZX Spectrum. Open the app (or ONLINE web app), select ‘Play’ and launch BASIC.
Ensure the Recreated ZX Spectrum is set to its ‘QWERTY Mode’, if not slide the device’s LAYER Switch to the right
/ to ‘B’ (when viewing it from the rear). Press any one of the keys on the top row of the Rubber Keyboard (labelled
‘0’ to ‘9’) to confirm that it is connected; observe the on-screen response. Then press any one of the keys on the
second row of the Rubber Keyboard (labelled ‘Q’ to ‘P’).
If the Recreated ZX Spectrum is Locked, there will be no on-screen response to pressing a key on the second row.
To Unlock it, select ‘Unlock’ (in the app or in the ONLINE web app) and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the Recreated ZX Spectrum is Unlocked, there will be an on-screen response to pressing any one of the keys on
the second row. No further action is required.
However, before using the FREE Recreated ZX Spectrum app (or the ONLINE web app) ensure the Recreated ZX
Spectrum is set to its ‘Game Mode’, if not slide the device’s LAYER Switch to the left / to ‘A’ (when viewing it from
the rear).