Teaching Cannoli Which Screen Is Home

This article details the author's project to transform the AYN Thor, a dual-screen Android handheld, into a cohesive game console using a custom launcher called Cannoli. The author describes the technical challenge of teaching Android to treat the two screens as a unified console interface, where the upper screen displays the game and the lower screen serves as a menu. The project involved modifying Android packages, using ADB test loops, and implementing gesture recognition. Cannoli is an opinionated retro gaming frontend inspired by MinUI, focusing on simplicity and restraint. It supports libretro cores, RetroArch, Android games, and a 'Five Game Handheld' mode. The article covers the software development process, design philosophy, and the joy of creating a focused gaming device.