The Xboy Could Be A Reality (Updated)

AMD’s next-generation of mobile graphics parts will be pretty badass thanks to the suite of tools that were announced today. Rendermonkey 1.7 is the most notable tool as it’s a shader tool that allows developers to write graphics code for a variety of devices that support OpenVG 1.0, OpenGL 2.0 and Unified Shader Architecture technologies.

Unified Shader Architecture is a big deal because it’s one of the biggest selling points of the Xbox 360. It’s a huge plus that AMD will be supporting these technologies for upcoming mobile parts. Rendermonkey is already widely used and it will allow for an easy transfer of older titles that have AMD’s new Imageon processors.

Update Read on for details.

Imageon supports 3D and 2D graphics, audio processing, digital still and video cameras, TV out, video recording with image stabilization and a slew of other multimedia features. The new processor line is basically a GPU for mobile devices and with all the features on one chip it allows mobile phone manufacturers to upgrade Imageon chips without having to upgrade the phone’s radio chip.

This brings me to the point of the rumored Xboy coming into fruition. The Imageon processor line and Rendermonkey could make it a whole lot easier for programmers to port content to the new handhelds. The new suite of tools, Imageon and the 360’s current GPU could meld very nicely into an Xboy.

Update: Ars Technica posed the question to AMD and here is what they had to say:

“In short, yes. Our goal is to enable high-quality gaming in all handheld devices, because whether it’s a mobile phone or a handheld gaming device, the opportunities and challenges are very similar,” replied Andy Thompson, director of marketing for AMD’s Handheld Division. “We are addressing these challenges by delivering a high volume of low-power OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics hardware based on the same Unified Shader Architecture behind Xbox 360, by providing a comprehensive suite of development tools that are common to the PC and console platforms so developers can leverage their existing production pipeline, by providing hands-on developer support and by working with other key players in the industry to ensure consumers have a positive experience purchasing and playing games on their handheld gaming device of choice.”

Xboy [via Ars Technica]