Intel has finally released the XeSS 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) to aid game development through upscaling, frame generation, and latency reduction technologies. The SDK is now accessible via Intel’s GitHub repository, providing developers with pre-built tools for integrating XeSS into their projects.
Intel expanded its suite of XeSS technologies last year when it unveiled its budget segment GPUs, the Arc B580 and B570. The XeSS 2.0 SDK introduces three main components: XeSS-SR for AI-driven super resolution, XeSS-FG for frame generation, and XeLL for low-latency improvements. These advancements position XeSS 2.0 as a competitor to Nvidia’s DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), offering similar AI-powered enhancements to image quality and performance. Intel has also updated the XeSS inspector tool to support Vulkan and DirectX 11, making it easier for developers to optimize game performance across multiple rendering APIs.
To help with integration, Intel has developed plugins for widely used game engines, including Unreal Engine and Unity. However, despite these efforts to make the SDK more accessible, Intel’s decision to keep XeSS 2.0 closed-source limits its flexibility compared to AMD’s open-source FSR.
As spotted by Tom’s Hardware, the licensing agreement prohibits reverse engineering, decompilation, or disassembly, preventing developers from modifying or extending its capabilities beyond what Intel provides. This approach means that developers must work with pre-compiled binaries, which could impact broader adoption, particularly among studios seeking greater control over their graphics pipelines.
Additionally, XeSS 2.0 remains a Windows-first technology, restricting its immediate availability on other platforms. While Intel has not ruled out future cross-platform support, its current design prioritizes Windows-based gaming environments. The technology has yet to see widespread adoption, with only a handful of titles currently supporting XeSS 2.0. Intel has acknowledged this limitation and is actively working with game developers to expand the presence of XeSS in upcoming releases.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.