1.3. Choosing the Appropriate Version of OpenGL ES

Apple’s newer handheld devices, such as the iPhone 3GS and iPad, have graphics hardware that supports both ES 1.1 and 2.0; these devices are said to have a programmable graphics pipeline because the graphics processor executes instructions rather than performing fixed mathematical operations. Older devices like the first-generation iPod touch, iPhone, and iPhone 3G are said to have a fixed-function graphics pipeline because they support only ES 1.1.

Before writing your first line of code, be sure to have a good handle on your graphics requirements. It’s tempting to use the latest and greatest API, but keep in mind that there are many 1.1 devices out there, so this could open up a much broader market for your application. It can also be less work to write an ES 1.1 application, if your graphical requirements are fairly modest.