I don't know if it's a Christmas gift or just happened by accident, but S3 Graphics today released new drivers which are really worth a news:

First, there are new Windows Vista drivers 7.15.12.0286 (32 and 64 Bit) for Chrome 500 and 400 Series. That alone wouldn't be that exciting, but S3 Graphics redesigned the S3 ScreenToys and now you can define 3D setting profiles for any game or application you want to. That possiblity I saw last time with PowerVR and their dirvers for Kyro GPUs. There are just 3rd party tools for AMD and nVidia hardware that offer this funktionality. Furthermore, S3 Graphics improves the OpenGL support once again with more OpenGL 3.0 extensions and the possibility to force FSAA in OpenGL games and applications.

The second important driver is a Linux driver package for Chrome 400. Sadly, it's not Open Source but just a loader for a closed driver, but it's better than nothing and perhaps S3 Graphics will release the Source any time in the future as well.

The S3 Graphics Accelerated Linux Driver Set support:

• Linux Kernel 2.6.x
• X.Org X11R7.x with H/W 2D acceleration through XAA
• SAMM / MAMM / Xinerama with multiple display
• DVI dual-link up to 2560x1600 resolution
• 90/180/270 degree display rotation
• H/W accelerated direct-rendering and indirect-rendering OpenGL 2.1 API
• Composite Desktop with AIGLX / Compiz

Links:
Windows Vista Release Notes for Chrome 500 Series
Windows Vista Release Notes for Chrome 400 Series
Linux Release Notes for Chrome 400 Series
Driver page for Chrome 500 Series
Driver page for Chrome 400 Series