Microsoft Begins DirectX 9.0 Beta

Beta testers have begun to receive word of the impending first beta release of DirectX 9.0, the multimedia foundation behind Windows. DirectX 9 first made headlines at Meltdown 2001 last summer and is expected to feature advanced pixel shading and gamma correction.

"We know everyone is excited about getting started and we appreciate your patience. We will send email to you at the time of our first release with instructions on how to download the beta and access the newsgroup," Microsoft beta coordinators wrote in an e-mail to testers.

Regarding new features that are slated for inclusion in 9.0, Microsoft noted a higher-level programmable shader language for faster development, new pixel shader instructions, as well as "higher color depth support and architecture optimizations."

Microsoft sought DirectX 9 beta testers in early November after the release of version 8.1. 9.0 is expected to debut this summer.