As tablets and smartphones become more popular, so do their use as gaming devices. Now Futuremark, best known for their PC gaming themed benchmarking software 3DMark, has announced plans to offer a version of 3DMark for Android-powered devices. The program will be released sometime in 2012.
The press release seems to indicate that 3DMark for Android will concentrate on benchmarking tablet devices that use Google operating system, rather than smartphones. This makes sense since the larger screen for tablets make it a better device for Android-based games with high-end graphics. Futuremark says that 3DMark for Android will offer scores for rendering, CPU and physics tests. Those tests will include what the company claims will be "stunning real-time graphics."
People who use the benchmarking software will be able to compare results online with other Android devices. The scores themselves will be comparable with the scores generated by the upcoming 3DMark program that will be made specifically for Microsoft"s Windows 8 operating system.
Futuremark is giving Android device makers a way to collaborate on the creation of this new version of 3DMark via the Benchmark Development Program. Interested Android hardware vendors can sign up at the program"s official web page where they will be invited to participate in the program"s evolution "from initial specification to final delivery." The final pricing for 3DMark for Android has yet to be revealed.