Contest may be butcher in the prodigiously successful computer gaming sector at the moment, but the sharpest blades are out over 3D graphics on mobile devices.
3D Graphics Providing
Speaking of mobile phone technology, there are several consortia heading off in different tendency, each trying to develop a standard for 3D graphics on hand-held screens. If we look at this general terms, we can split the contractors into two obvious camps - those who have trust in on-chip 3D hardware and those who hope that Java-based software methods will prevail. The hardware gets near it makes logical sense - after all, it's the obvious choice for desktop and notebook computers. So it's no surprise to find graphics chip-set creator ATI putting considerable resources into miniaturised graphics processors for PDAs and mobile phones. ATI's Imageon 3200, for example, is a multimedia co-processor designed to accelerate performance to support consumer handheld applications such as MPEG video playback. However, it's still only a 2D chipset, so won't be battling it out with the 3D alternatives. Going further, Imagination Technologies has signed a deal to put its PowerVR MBX Lite graphics core alongside Hitachi's SH-Mobile processor with the intention of producing a more compelling 3D-capable component for mobile phone manufacturers.
Going it unattended is mobile hardware processor builder ARM. Because of the company's extensive involvement in palmtop computer design, ARM chipsets are readily adopted by mobile phone manufacturers such as Toshiba in its new TS21i handset. But ARM's Swerve i3D technology now also employs object-level operation and tiling to achieve 3D graphics without chomping its way through battery power too quickly or increasing the device size significantly.
Battery drain, product magnitude and manufacture lead-in times are still challenging issues for graphics entertainment developers following the hardware route to mobile 3D. For these causes, practically all existing colour-screen phones which support games and animation employ Java technology instead. Java developers admittedly claim this is the most likely way forward for 3D graphics too. Nokia has already employed a Java-based 3D graphics API to demonstrate animated OpenGL sequences - initially created using 3D Studio Max - on its 3410 mono-colour handset and even as a retro-fit software upgrade to the full-colour 6650 model.
Mobile Phones Games
Cell phone 2D games developers such as In-fusio are on the 3D ball too. According to the Tao Group, a major Java developer in the wireless portability field, this readiness to market is the key issue. Creating games and entertainment applications to a Java API can be handled as short design projects and bring you quick sales, while the full stretch of 3D hardware development, manufacture and implementation in future handsets can take quite a while.
At the present moment, it seems that Java represents the best bet for prospective 3D multimedia designers targeting the small-screen market. Time it right, and the fruits of your 3D graphics labour could be in the digital shop windows as soon as you think.
