Khronos Group updates OpenGL and OpenCL specifications

New standards allow better graphics flexibility

Standards body The Khronos Group has published a set of new specifications for its OpenGL and OpenCL graphics standards.

The group said that the update would allow developers to better leverage the performance of GPU hardware both for graphics and general computing tasks.

For the OpenGL 4.4 update, developers will be able to better manage application ports between multiple platforms through better Direct3D support. The move should allow developers to more efficiently manage their code for multiple versions of their applications.

Additionally, the update will allow developers to better manage GPU queries and provide new API management tools to help improve the performance of applications and streamline the development of code and suport for new 3D graphics hardware.

Khronos has also approved new specifications for OpenCL, the group's solution for managing general computing tasks over GPU hardware. Designed to take advantage of the multi-threading capabilities of GPU chips, OpenCL has emerged as a favourite platform among fields ranging from high-performance computing to mobile.

Backers of the project include high-profile groups such as Intel, Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm.

For the OpenCL 2.0 specification, the group has approved a set of new features designed to help developers better implement GPU Acceleration. The group said the new standard would aim to better implement graphics chips and help to further allow developers to utilise the latest generation of graphics chips.

The Khronos Group said that the OpenCL 2.0 update is currently being considered a "provisional" specification release. The group is allowing public review of the standard over the next six months, at which time a final specification will be posted.