OpenGL ES

OpenGL ES (Embedded Systems) is a cross-platform application programming interface (API) for rendering advanced 2D and 3D graphics on embedded systems and mobile devices. It is a streamlined, re-designed subset of the full OpenGL API, optimized for efficiency and performance on hardware with…

Key facts

First appeared
2003
Category
technology
Problem solved
OpenGL ES solved the problem of efficiently rendering complex 2D and 3D graphics on devices with limited processing power, memory, and battery life. It provided a standardized, hardware-accelerated graphics API that allowed developers to create visually rich applications and games for the exploding market of mobile phones, tablets, and other embedded systems, without the overhead of the full OpenGL API.
Platforms
Embedded Linux, PlayStation Vita, Web (via WebGL), Android, QNX, Nintendo 3DS, BlackBerry OS, iOS

Related technologies

Notable users

  • ARM
  • Sony (for specific devices)
  • Imagination Technologies
  • Qualcomm
  • Nintendo (for specific devices)
  • Apple (iOS, prior to Metal)
  • Google (Android)