I have learned a lot over the course of making this project, as well as many challenges I had to overcome to get to where it is now. Here's a review of some of the major features that have been added to VH since it was first published on itch.io!

September 2023

Versions: v0.1

Notes:

Initial release on itch.io!

Major features added:

• -Virtual keyboard & mouse simulation
• -Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controller simulation
• -Desktop duplication
• -Input blocking

October 2023

Versions: v0.1.1, v0.2, v0.2.1, v0.3

Notes:

First Virtual Handheld advertisement poster placed in a VRChat world!

Major features added:

• -"Alternate sets" allowing you to switch between two different sets of inputs on the fly
• -Performance features that let you adjust and monitor the framerate of the overlay
• -Updated UI to make things easier to find and less cluttered
• -Color settings to let you customize the colors of the handheld

November 2023

Versions: v0.3.1, v0.3.1a, v0.3.2

Notes:

Virtual Handheld is released on Steam to Early Access, YouTuber SadlyItBradly tweets about it bringing on some attention, and the logo was redesigned with help from Nestorboy!

Major features added:

• -DualShock face button graphics added
• -Ability to bind Xbox Guide/PlayStation button
• -Discord, YouTube and VRChat group links to the Welcome screen
• -Added "Analog Stick Multiplier" in General settings

December 2023

Versions: v0.3.3, v0.3.4, v0.4, v0.4a

Major features added:

• -uWindowCapture as an alternate desktop capture
• -Changed handheld scaling to be more granular, and allow you to scale the handheld to 0
• -Tracking settings that let you control how the handheld is positioned and rotated in 3D space
• -Stabilization to prevent handheld from moving too much while gaming

January 2024

Versions: v0.4.1

Major features added:

• -Dashboard detection, which automatically pauses input blocking while the dashboard is open
• -New pixel art input-blocking icons
• -Debug console
• -Guide/PS button added to gamepad presets

February 2024

Versions: v0.5

Notes:

Before this point, analog inputs were configured with a series of confusing toggles!

Major features added:

• -Analog inputs overhauled to allow triggers and joystick directions to be bound as normal buttons
• -Mouse simulation updated to also use the new analog input system
• -Updated scroll wheel simulation to be either a custom number of clicks or a continuous scroll
• -Updated presets to account for the new analog input system

March 2024

Versions: v0.5.1

Notes:

After being a known issue for months, it was found that "Enable global input from overlays" being disabled was the cause of input blocking issues for a few users, and is now checked at start-up

Major features added:

• -New pixel art graphics for the Bindings menu
• -Expanded keyboard tab, which has additional function keys, media keys and browser navigation keys
• -Mouse buttons 4 and 5, and DualShock 4 touchpad button simulation
• -Support for Oculus Touch thumbrests, which were previously inaccessible in SteamVR

April 2024

Versions: v0.5.1a, v0.5.2

Major features added:

• -Windows Mixed Reality controller support
• -Handheld settings auto-save and auto-load
• -Automatic controller-type detection
• -Mismatched or "Mixed" controller-type support

May 2024

Versions: v0.5.3

Notes:

DJ Frog music video by Rollthered was created! Also, the itch.io price increased to match the Steam price so that itch.io users can get a Steam key with their purchase.

Major features added:

• -Virtual gamepads will now auto-connect if an applicable binding is loaded
• -Added global default and per-binding gamepad type settings
• -Moved presets to a separate tab
• -Bindings and color profiles are now auto-saved

June 2024

Versions: v0.6

Major features added:

• -Custom aspect ratios
• -Handheld now changes size to accommodate aspect ratio change
• -Monitor aspect ratio is now auto-detected from your desktop's resolution
• -3D modes now work with all aspect ratios

July 2024

No updates this month!

August 2024

Versions: v0.6.0.1 (beta), v0.6.1

Notes:

First Virtual Handheld "beta"

Major features added:

• -Individual window capture
• -New window capture settings apply to alternate desktop capture as well
• -Desktops are now selected from the list rather than by ID number
• -"Fill" Display Mode, which crops out content based on the selected aspect ratio

September 2024

Versions: v0.6.1a, v0.6.1b, v0.6.1c

Notes:

First anniversary of Virtual Handheld!

No major features were added, just some bug fixes and stability patches

October 2024

Versions: v0.6.2

Major features added:

• -Refresh button to sources list
• -Ability to filter what windows appear on the sources list
• -Auto-recapture closed window sources
• -The top window title is now shown on the handheld overlay