Intel's decision to patronise S3 seems to be paying unexpected dividends for the 3D graphics specialist. The original deal was a pretty straightforward technology sharing agreement. However, Intel yesterday said it was sponsoring S3's membership of the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). The DDWG's remit is to define an interface specification for digital plat panel displays. Its membership currently includes Intel itself, Compaq, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, NEC, IBM and Silicon Image. Getting S3 on board will make it a darn sight easier for the company to get the LCD control component of its Savage4 chip-set accepted by the DDWG as part of the specification. That would prove a major boost for S3, which is hoping the Savage4 will lift it out of the doldrums the company found itself after being out-innovated by the likes of ATI. It would also be one in the eye for 3Dfx, which has great hopes for its LCDfx technology in the emerging digital display market. ®