OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenGL 4.3 squeeze textures to the limit, bring OpenVL along for the ride

Mobile graphics are clearly setting the agenda at SIGGRAPH this year -- ARM's Mali T600-series parts have just been chased up by a new Khronos Group standard that will likely keep those future video cores well-fed. OpenGL ES 3.0 represents a big leap in textures, introducing "guaranteed support" for more advanced texture effects as well as a new version of ASTC compression that further shrinks texture footprints without a conspicuous visual hit. OpenVL is also coming to give augmented reality apps their own standard. Don't worry, desktop users still get some love through OpenGL 4.3: it adds the new ASTC tricks, new visual effects (think blur) and support for compute shaders without always needing to use OpenCL. All of the new standards promise a bright future in graphics for those living outside of Microsoft's Direct3D universe, although we'd advise being patient: there won't be a full Open GL ES 3.0 testing suite for as long as six months, and any next-generation phones or tablets will still need the graphics hardware to match.

Continue reading OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenGL 4.3 squeeze textures to the limit, bring OpenVL along for the ride

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablet PCs

OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenGL 4.3 squeeze textures to the limit, bring OpenVL along for the ride originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2012 04:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Khronos Group (OpenGL ES), (OpenGL)  | Email this | Comments]]>

View the original article here

Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line

Whoever said low-cost phones have to miss out on the portable perks? Nokia's throwing an old school bone to buyers of its budget-minded Asha Touch line, linking up with Namco Bandai to make 22 classic hits available for download. The titles, accessible now on the Nokia Store in over 52 countries, range from $0.99 to $2.99 apiece and include oldies-but-goodies like SoulCalibur, Galaga and Ace Combat. So, if you take your pared-down, 3-inch devices with a dash of retro-gaming and feel like an on-the-go session with PAC-MAN is long overdue, then you'll be well sated by this partnership nod to coin-operated gaming's past. Official PR after the break.

Continue reading Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line

Nokia and Namco Bandai bring arcade classics to Asha Touch line originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>

View the original article here

Nantsune meat slicer scans in 3D to get the perfect cut, bring home the bacon in record time (video)

Bacon, our old friend. We've missed you. Japan's Nantsune must have missed it too, as its new Libra 165C meat slicer is using some mighty advanced technology to cut pork quickly. Beating a Nikko creation to the punch by about a year, it uses a displacement sensor to scan the shape of a slab of meat and make cuts that are the exact same weight, regardless of their shape or thickness. By knowing as much as it does in advance, the Libra can cut as many as 6,000 slices every hour; they're not ready-made bacon slices, but they'll certainly get to those cuts much faster than earlier methods that only weighed in mid-chop. You might not want to get visions of setting up Nantsune's meat machine in the kitchen: it'll be ready by the end of June, but the $160,000 price could mean sacrificing a whole lot of other food to avoid breaking out the cleaver.

Continue reading Nantsune meat slicer scans in 3D to get the perfect cut, bring home the bacon in record time (video)

Nantsune meat slicer scans in 3D to get the perfect cut, bring home the bacon in record time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 09:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink DigInfo TV  |  Nantsune  | Email this | Comments]]>

View the original article here

Griffin, Threadless again team up to bring community art to your iPad, iPhone

Mobile accessory purveyor Griffin Technologies and artist collective Threadless have unveiled the latest updates to their iPad and iPhone case lines. The co-op -- now in its third year -- is bringing a new form-factor to the fold with the Ethan Folio for iPad ($50, pictured above), and is making a handful of new designs available for its "super slim" iPhone armor ($25). If the run-of-the-mill coverings available at your local Apple Store don't jive with your laid-back steez, mosey on over to Griffin's website and have a peek at the new wares.

Continue reading Griffin, Threadless again team up to bring community art to your iPad, iPhone

Griffin, Threadless again team up to bring community art to your iPad, iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments]]>

View the original article here