[Android Gaming] thriven':
The Verizon Ellipsis 8 was pushed into Android 5.1.1 with only 1GB of ram. And though there are rumors that this device can be rooted, the default OS allows all but 2 apks to be disabled from the home menu so I chose not to explore rooting. Once the apks including google play and google play services were disabled, I was able to painfully, due to graphic issues, play a game of Cannon Spike on RetroArk at near full speed. The device is compatible with all versions of RetroAarch as of now (which is at 1.10.0_GIT). The problem is, RetroArch has a slight bug when it comes to a very low number of devices. Devices such as the Verizon Ellipsis 8 have a navigation bar at the bottom and the status bar at the top that automatically hides in Android 5.1.1. This seemingly un-adjustable autohide feature prevents apks such as the RetroArch menu screens from reregistering touches correctly.

There is a work around (it requires 2 hands) to navigate the menus in RetroArch on a Verizon Ellipsis 8 (after the game is launched, the apk works as normal).

1. Launch RetroArch

2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to activate the temporary navigation bar (remember it autohides).

3. As the navigation bar is deployed at the bottom, touch and hold the bottom right or bottom left of the screen (don't worry if the bar eventually disappears).

4. Continue to touch and hold the corner of the screen the entire time (I use my thumb as I hold the device itself).

5. Now you can navigate the RetroArch menu with your other hand.

Below are the apks that are running on a stock build of Android 5.1.1 with 1GB of ram that can at least boot Dreamcast games. Using a practically bare system, I was able to play, Crazy Taxi, Soul Calibur, Expendable, Power Stone, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure 2, and Tony Hawk Pro Skater all with near flawless graphics and speed (turn sound down). Hope this helps!​

WORKING APK LIST FOR VERIZON ELLIPSIS 8 RUNNING ANDROID 5.1.1 (LAST UPDATED: 03/14/2022)​

Apkmirror Web

(From within Firefox, Settings>

Page> Add to Home Screen)​

BT Controller

3.3.2 (Newer)

2.2 (Lightweight)

(Bluetooth setup)​

ClassicBoy Pro

6.3.0

(Runs dmnfrntpcb

better than RetroArch)​

Firefox

90.1.3 (Newer)

52.0 (Lightweight)​

FMstream.org Web

(From within Firefox, Settings>

Page> Add to Home Screen)​

Gmail Web

(From within Firefox, Settings>

Page> Add to Home Screen)​

Kodi

19.3

(19.4 should work fine)​

MAME4droid (0.37b5)

1.5.3​

MAME4droid (0.139u1)

1.15.6​

MAPS.ME

Offline maps GPS Nav

12.3.2-Google​

MEGA

6.3 (upload issues)

3.2.6.2 (uploads work)​

NoRoot Firewall

4.0.2​

NotePad Folder

(Link a folder from Total

Commander to home screen

with 5 or 10 .txt files)​

pluto tv

5.3.1 (Lightweight)​

RetroArch

1.9.0

(Still testing but,

all of the later

versions work)​

RetroArch: FinalBurn Neo

ClassicBoy Pro: FB Alpha

I have been able to play

Ketsui, Demon Front, &

ESPgaluda near full speed.​

Reicast

Dreamcast Emulator

r20.04

(Use the same method to

select a game as RetroArch.

Plays Crazy Taxi beautifully

on a bare system.)​

Total Commander

File Manager

3.30​

VLC Multimedia &

Online Streaming Player

3.4.4​

Youtube Web

(From within Firefox, Settings>

Page> Add to Home Screen)​

Motorola Droid 2 Global APK Pack 2.3.4 (Updated for 2022)

Toshiba Thrive APK Pack 4.0.4 (Updated for 2022)

Verizon Ellipsis 8 APK Pak 5.1.1 & RetroArch Fix (Updated for 2022)​