Nvidia to license its GPU tech with an eye on the 'Android opportunity'

Nvidia, the graphics chip giant that is looking to establish itself as a major player in the mobile market as well, has decided to license its Kepler GPU technology along with its visual computing patent portfolio to other companies.

The company's change in strategy comes as the market has scene a shift from PC to the mobile segment. The growth of the smartphone and tablet industry has changed the market dynamics. To stay competitive in this environment, the company believes, the next appropriate step is to license its GPU cores and visual computing patent portfolio to device manufacturers.

Nvidia would start the licensing with the GPU core based on the Nvidia Kepler architecture. The core comes with DX11, OpenGL 4.3 and GPGPU support. Kepler is the basis for Nvidia's currently shipping GeForce, Quadro and Tesla GPUs, as well as next-generation Tegra mobile processor codenamed Logan.

Nvidia had recently launched two PC gaming GPUs, namely the GeForce GTX 770 GPU and GeForce GTX 780 GPU.

From recent launches of PC gaming GPUs, the company is now heading to focusing on the mobile market. The company says "the explosion of Android devices presents an unprecedented opportunity" and believes that by licensing its GPU portfolio, it can be a part of the opportunity that mobile devices represent.

Nvidia will also offer licensing rights to their visual computing patent portfolio. This will enable licensees to develop their own GPU functionality using Nvidia's technology.