Dolphin iOS 4.1.0b3 - Release Notes

🚀 Performance Improvements

Metal Renderer Optimizations

• Pipeline Binary Archive: Persistent shader cache reduces first-launch stutter
• Batched Buffer Binding: Reduced CPU overhead with combined buffer calls
• Optimized Upload Buffers: Ring-buffer uploads replace expensive setBytes calls
• Pipeline Prewarming: EFB resolve, format conversion, and poke pipelines pre-compiled at startup
• Shader Compilation: Modern MSL language versions and optional Fast Math support
• Reduced Driver Overhead: Untracked hazard mode for upload buffers
• Presentation Tuning: Optimized CAMetalLayer settings for better frame pacing

Audio Enhancements

• Audio Performance Tweaks: General audio system optimizations
• Spatial Audio Experiments: Enhanced audio experience
• Audio Effects: New audio processing capabilities

🎮 User Experience Improvements

Settings & Interface

• Fast Math Toggle: New Graphics > Hacks option for Metal shader optimization
• On-Screen Performance: VBI and CPU speed display during emulation
• Web Server Info: Display server information in settings
• Loading Bar: Repositioned to left side for better visibility
• Multi-Select Fixes: Improved touch handling in settings menus

Controller & Input

• Custom Controller Mappings: Preserved user controller configurations
• GameCube Language Setting: Added language selection for GameCube games

Cheats System

• Global Cheats Toggle: Master on/off switch for all cheats
• Smart Cheat Prompts: Automatic prompts to enable cheats when needed
• Improved Cheat Menu: Better cheat management interface

🔧 System & Compatibility

Graphics Backend

• Vulkan Progress: Continued work on Vulkan backend (experimental)
• MoltenVK 1.4.0: Updated support for latest MoltenVK
• Depth Buffer Fixes: Improved depth comparison on some devices
• Aspect Ratio Fixes: Corrected 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio handling

File Management

• WebDAV Instructions: Updated software path documentation
• System Updates: Improved online update process

🐛 Bug Fixes

• Fixed multi-select touch areas in settings
• Corrected graphics settings synchronization
• Resolved aspect ratio swap issues
• Fixed controller mapping preservation
• Improved settings menu navigation
• Fixed online system update functionality on iPad

📋 Technical Details

• CPU Overclock Range: Extended to 1-400% for better performance tuning
• VBI Range: Extended to 1-400% for enhanced video timing control
• Default Region: Set to NTSC-U for better compatibility

Note: This release focuses heavily on Metal renderer performance improvements. Users should see reduced stutter and improved frame rates, especially on first launch and during shader-intensive scenes.

Minimum Requirements: iOS 16.0+, tvOS 17.0+, A10X or newer