Khronos Group launches a lighter version of OpenGL graphics standard
A popular graphics standard is getting an upgrade today as Khronos Group unveils Open GL 3.1 as well as an open standard for 3-D positional audio for mobile devices.
OpenGL, which competes with Microsoft’s 3D graphics software, allows machines, such as Apple computers, to tap the power of graphics chips. OpenGL is used in Linux, mobile devices, and a variety of Windows applications too. There are more than a 100 members of the Khronos Group, a nonprofit standards body established in 2000. Members include Advanced Micro Devices, Apple, Nvidia, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Mozilla and others.
The previous version of OpenGL 3.0 debuted about nine months ago. Neil Trevett, president of the Khronos Group, said the new version is actually smaller in storage requirements than previous versions because the group decided to remove obsolete functions. So it’s easier and more efficient to implement. Hence, OpenGL 3.1 is closer to its mobile version, OpenGL ES.
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About the Author, Dean Takahashi
Dean is lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He covers video games, security, chips and a variety of other subjects. Dean previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, the Red Herring, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register and the Dallas Times Herald. He is the author of two books, Opening the Xbox and the Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Follow him on Twitter at @deantak, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
