continue to dictate the hopes and plans of those at tech providers. “As our engine is cross-platform, we’re just keeping an eye out for co-processors in mobile devices that can help us decode mp3s in real-time, ogg vorbis audio data, and eventually letting us push our new multi-core DSP engine into the mobile space,” explains Brett Paterson, CEO of audio outfit FMOD, which is making an impact in the blossoming area of sound tech for mobile. “Our new DSP engine will allow audio to be
spread across multiple CPUs at once, at the discretion of the programmer. And while we’re just starting to do this for modern day PCs and consoles, we can see that this is going to happen for mobile devices as well.” Others are looking to predict which
platforms will rise to rival iOS, with Android being the clearest choice for savvy middleware providers with an eye on how to best serve opportunistic developers. “This field changes so quickly it’s hard to
say where it’s going,” admits Kane. “My personal observations are that Android seems to be picking up speed, as developers are starting to better appreciate its openness and install base. “And as more tools emerge to make high-performance 3D applications easier to develop on mobile platforms, I think we’ll see more apps taking advantage of those capabilities in creative ways.”
But the most important trend, asserts Helgason, is the sheer number of devices. That number is spiraling globally, particularly as consumers in emerging markets embrace mobile with feverish devotion. “The most important trend is simply that
we’re going from hundreds of millions of devices today, to billions in the next few
The most important trend is we’re going from hundreds of
millions of devices today, to billions in the next few years.
David Helgason, Unity
years,” says Helgason. “And with gaming being the dominant use case for tablets, and a major one for phones, the opportunities are ridiculously big.” Few in the industry would question Helgason’s prediction. It is increasingly becoming a reality every day, and as a result tools providers have more reason than ever to invest in their mobile operations. Whether you’re a developer yourself, or
even employed in tools, the future certainly looks bright for mobile.
WHILE THE ONCE turbulent waters of mobile gaming are well on their way to settling, the likes of second screen and smart TV are only just emerging as substantial gaming platforms. . However, such platforms
are not so distant from mobile, especially where tools are concerned. “Developers are looking at
making specific games for mobile devices, and ways of making more connected experiences across mobiles and consoles, all of which is extremely exciting,” offers Chris Doran, founder of lighting specialist Geomerics. “It is particularly great to see Microsoft embrace the SmartGlass idea. Certainly, five years ago it would have seemed unimaginable that a
division within Microsoft would embrace tech running in a rival OS. “It shows how seriously
they are thinking about this connected future with multiple input devices all connected to the cloud.” “With the TV manufacturers, set-top boxes and cloud also in the mix, I wouldn’t like to predict how the future [of mobile tools] will pan out. My only suspicion is that the range of options facing the consumer could become quite bewildering, and they may well revert to what they are used to – the latest consoles from companies they trust. Beyond that they will see what is available on whatever ‘SmartGlass’ they happen to own at the time.”