AMD recently announced support for OpenGL 4.1 (the sixth update to OpenGL specification) for Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP as well as Linux across select ATI FirePro, ATI FireGL and AMD Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs).

 

OpenGL is an open-source Application Programming Interface (API) that can be used to create 2D as well as 3D graphics, and competes with Microsoft's propriety API, Direct3D. Today's GPUs may employ a certain version of either or both of these APIs. 

 

A new function in OpenGL 4.1 specification is full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs (the version used for mobile games) to allow for easier porting between mobile and desktop platforms. 

 

This functionality can be enabled on these GPU ranges with the download and installation of the latest driver releases (ATI FirePro and ATI FireGL unified driver 8.801, as well as AMD Catalyst 10.12) from the company’s website.

 

“AMD has a long tradition of supporting open industry standards, and with the announcement of support for OpenGL 4.1, we continue to demonstrate that commitment,” said Janet Matsuda, general manager, AMD professional graphics.  “Maintaining OpenGL as a strong and viable graphics API is very important to AMD and we are proud to support the OpenGL development community.”

 

AMD also recently announced the immediate availability of its new Embedded G-Series processor, which the company claims is the world’s first Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) for embedded systems.