Apple Proposes GPU API for 3D Graphics on the Web

[Megalith]

Is Apple going to start claiming that they invented 3D web graphics now? If this “WebGPU” Metal-based API proposal of theirs takes off, maybe they will. Basically, Apple thinks WebGL (the current standard) is no good in terms of performance and that a solution that could access modern GPU features would be way better. However, some are already seeing this as a flop because the company may be contending with pre-existing options such as Direct3D 12, Vulkan, and OpenGL. There is also the idea that Metal doesn’t play well with other platforms to begin with.

Apple is promoting the development of a standard API that would allow web browsers to access GPU features for 3D graphics. The team behind Apple's WebKit browser engine proposed a community group at the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) called the W3C Community Group for GPU on the Web that would be charged with providing an interface between the web browser and modern 3D graphics and computation capabilities in native system platforms. "The goal is to design a new web API that exposes these modern technologies in a performant, powerful, and safe manner," the community group proposal states.

 

[Stimpy88]

Is Apple going to start claiming that they invented 3D web graphics now? If this “WebGPU” Metal-based API proposal of theirs takes off, maybe they will. Basically, Apple thinks WebGL (the current standard) is no good in terms of performance and that a solution that could access modern GPU features would be way better. However, some are already seeing this as a flop because the company may be contending with pre-existing options such as Direct3D 12, Vulkan, and OpenGL. There is also the idea that Metal doesn’t play well with other platforms to begin with.

I would try to find out more about why WebGL is not commonly used, and what it's limitations are before bashing anyone for wanting to better it, if I were you... Clickbaiting much???

Have you ever heard of anyone coding Direct-X 12, Vulkan and OpenGL directly in a website, and any browser running that code and displaying anything resembling 3D hardware generated graphics? Please, please say you have...

If you have, you win the Internet today!

 

[katanaD]

>Apple is promoting the development of a standard API

LOL.. you know what they say about standards... the great thing about standards is everyone can have their own

 

[Doppleherz]

I wonder if the person that posted this article even read it.

WebGPU is not "metal-based", it is an API to grant web browsers low level access to GPUs, via Metal, DirectX or Vulkan. Also, Apple is not alone in thinking that WebGL has not much left (in the long term), so initial plans for a replacing technology will be inevitable, in the short term.

 

[Lakados]

So Apple is proposing that they all work together to take on Unity?