4. Publishers: From Bad To Worse

What graphic acceleration there is only applies to 2D. Still, we weren't going to let that beat us. In the PC world, ATI = games, so we searched the Web for games that are optimized for this chip. And the result was Nada, Nichts, Nothing.

So we turned to ATI. Nothing there either! Not even the tiniest demonstration to impress us with their new chip. They just told us about one publisher - Zenops - currently working in close collaboration with them who may soon release a game with promise (Cf. capture of this game on their site).

In desperation, we contacted the main publishers of games for PDA: Jimmysoftware, Eidos, Xen Games, etc. What a letdown. Some of them are still waiting for the requisite instructions from ATI to put their games on the new platform, while others are not even planning anything for the time being and told us to refer to other PDA makers to get the most from their applications. Worse still, the most skeptical of them told us they see no reason to use the ATI chip instead of others, since the drivers in the machines sold are not finalized. In fact, they would rather use the more widespread MediaQ chip (integrated into the e310 and e330) or a future hypothetical Intel chip integrating PowerVR technology and with proper 3D display.

Microsoft, which markets the Pocket PC 2002 OS, was hardly more sympathetic. To start with, they admit that the processor and graphics chip in the e740 cannot be fully exploited in the OS for the moment. But they reckon this constitutes two separate problems.

In the first place, they claim that the power offered by the product is adequate for current applications. When this stops being the case (this is a bit vague but they prefer not to be committed to a date), a software update will be offered, for a sum of money, to users who want to get the most from their processor. Later still, Microsoft will release a new OS specifically designed for the PXA processor. They still don't give a date, though.

As for the graphics chip, they say this is a problem purely for ATI. True, the drivers aren't or weren't finalized when the e740 was launched, but ATI should propose updated drivers, as they do for their PC graphics cards. Apart from this, with regard to the next Pocket PC 2002, Microsoft admits it is collaborating with several suppliers of components, including graphics chips. Several developments have already been settled: more video, more games, a 3D focus, etc. But above all, they should be dealing with as yet incognito players who use the functions of the existing GAPI library rather than forcing publishers to adapt their games to a specific chip. This is not unlike the PC system. Graphics chips manufacturers use existing DirectX libraries. Handheld computer ones should do likewise with the GAPI library already available. Indirectly, this means the ATI chip is condemned.