Confirms use of PowerVR SGX graphics

Apple has released a third beta of iPhone SDK 3.2, an update of the company's iPhone OS development tools. Few details of the beta have emerged, but Apple notes that it allows "existing iPhone projects to include the necessary files" to support the iPad. Developers should thus be closer to producing working iPad apps, as there is now a Universal Application binary format that wraps iPhone, iPad and iPod touch code into the same bundle.

Sources with access to the SDK note that its documentation has also confirmed the presence of PowerVR SGX technology in the iPad. "Using OpenGL ES on iPad is identical to using OpenGL ES on other iPhone OS devices," Apple writes. "An iPad is a PowerVR SGX device and supports the same basic capabilities as other SGX devices. However, because the processor, memory architecture, and screen dimensions are different for iPad, you should always test your code on an iPad device before shipping to ensure performance meets your requirements."

Apple is a major stakeholder in Imagination Technologies, the designer of the PowerVR SGX hardware. SGX can also be found in the iPhone 3GS and iPod touch. In the iPad, graphics are said to be in the same chip as the Apple A4 processor.

by MacNN Staff