PowerVR SGX Driver Code Gets Leaked

[phoronix]

Phoronix: PowerVR SGX Driver Code Gets Leaked

Luc Verhaegen has out a new blog post about Imagination's PowerVR SGX user-space driver source code and the microcode source also getting leaked. However, don't get too excited...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=MTg0NTQ

[libv]

Seems like a lot of the actual content of the blog post was blatantly overlooked.

The most obvious is the clear call to stop people from spreading useless proprietary code: it only achieves the exact opposite.

I also did not "dismiss" the PowerVR "ISA" release, just said that it was not the ISA but instead was the assembly language, a rather important difference, and that the fact that assembly language was released is a very positive step forward. I am amazed at your choice of words, did my assumption that something was lost in translation step on some sore toes?

Also, the shaky microcode/kernel/userspace of IMGs PowerVR driver stack is not exactly something new, whereas the article makes it seem like that is something that is only now revealed...

[kmare]

Very nice and informative article Luc, thank you.

[ssvb]

FYI, here was a relatively recent discussion with IMG support people, regarding what they think about the open source drivers - http://forum.imgtec.com/discussion/3...nd-open-source

[davidbepo]

gma3600

are this good news for gma 3600 / 500 users?

[Namenlos]

[?]relatively recent discussion with IMG support people, regarding what they think about the open source drivers - http://forum.imgtec.com/discussion/3...nd-open-source

The interesting part is: "Modified reference driver kernel source code may be released under a GPL licence by our licensees. It is their choice to do this." And that in most (all?) files there is a GPLv2 header.

[caligula]

FYI, here was a relatively recent discussion with IMG support people, regarding what they think about the open source drivers - http://forum.imgtec.com/discussion/3...nd-open-source

So to spell it out, IMG thinks their shitty closed source drivers are the most valuable commercial asset they have. That most likely means they are more hostile towards open sourcing their work than any other vendor. I'd recommend boycotting them at all costs. Such waste.

[MoonMoon]

are this good news for gma 3600 / 500 users?

No, this is good for nothing, it is still not under an open source license and therefore can not be used. Just read the blog post.

[ssvb]

So to spell it out, IMG thinks their shitty closed source drivers are the most valuable commercial asset they have.

Well, we should give credit where it is due. The whole GMA500 situation is upon us because Intel was simply not able to provide a better mobile GPU hardware of their own. IMG surely does have some valuable assets. And it may still take some time until the GPU from IMG is completely kicked out from the modern Intel Atom SoCs. For example, some people are curious whether the Jolla tablet is going to have a native Intel graphics or PowerVR (a similar Nokia N1 tablet is using Atom Z3580 with PowerVR). Too bad that the PowerVR drivers have earned a well deserved bad reputation, have burned a lot of people and are still causing troubles.

That most likely means they are more hostile towards open sourcing their work than any other vendor. I'd recommend boycotting them at all costs. Such waste.

They are not outright hostile. But they are just dodging the questions by providing some kind of standard made up statements. These statements are clearly showing their age though, because "in line with market requirements and other players in this space" is not exactly true anymore. The other players are quickly embracing open source and starting to take advantage of it. IMG will have to reconsider their stance eventually, and I hope that this might happen as part of addressing this code leak situation.

[MartinK]

For example, some people are curious whether the Jolla tablet is going to have a native Intel graphics or PowerVR (a similar Nokia N1 tablet is using Atom Z3580 with PowerVR). Too bad that the PowerVR drivers have earned a well deserved bad reputation, have burned a lot of people and are still causing troubles.

It has been confirmed (by Intel - no less! ) that it will have the z37xx type SoC, which means an Intel GPU!

For more info:
https://together.jolla.com/question/...#post-id-65130