Nvidia Shield Portable
{{Short description|Handheld game console by Nvidia}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| name = Nvidia Shield Portable
| logo = File:Nvidia Shield Portable logo.png
| image = File:NvidiaShieldPortable.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| aka = {{Hlist|Nvidia Shield|NSP {{Small|(abbreviations)}}}}
| manufacturer = Nvidia
| family = Shield
| type = Handheld game console
| generation = Eighth
| lifespan =
| media =
| os = Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) (upgradable to Android 5.1 Lollipop)
| soc = Tegra 4
| cpu = 1.9 GHz GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A15
| storage = 16 GB flash memory, microSD card reader
| display = {{convert|5|in|cm}} 1280 x 720 px(294 ppi) IPS LCD
| graphics = 72 GeForce graphics cores (24 vertex shaders + 48 pixel shaders){{cite web|title=NVIDIA Details Tegra 4 and Tegra 4i Graphics|url=http://www.pcper.com/news/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA-Details-Tegra-4-and-Tegra-4i-Graphics|work=PCPerspective|access-date=24 November 2013|archive-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223084431/http://www.pcper.com/news/Graphics-Cards/NVIDIA-Details-Tegra-4-and-Tegra-4i-Graphics|url-status=live}}
| input = Multi-touch capacitive screen, microphone, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS
| controllers = D-pad
2 × Analog Sticks
L/R bumper and trigger buttons
X, Y, A, B buttons
NVIDIA/Power Button
Start button
Home button
Volume buttons
Back button
| camera =
| touchpad =
| connectivity = 2×2 MIMO 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 3.0, micro USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack
| dimensions = {{convert|6.22|in|cm}} (W)
{{convert|2.244|in|cm}} (H)
{{convert|5.315|in|mm}} (D)
| weight = {{convert|579|g|oz|2|abbr=on}}
| related = Shield Tablet, Tegra Note 7
| website = {{URL|https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/}}
| releasedate = {{Start date and age|2013|07|31}}
| price = US$299{{cite news|last1=Hollister|first1=Sean|title=Nvidia Shield price drops to $199 alongside new features|url=https://www.theverge.com/gaming/2014/3/25/5544294/nvidia-shield-price-drops-to-199-for-a-limited-time|access-date=December 8, 2014|work=The Verge|date=March 25, 2014|archive-date=December 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210000838/http://www.theverge.com/gaming/2014/3/25/5544294/nvidia-shield-price-drops-to-199-for-a-limited-time|url-status=live}}
| unitssold =
| unitsshipped =
| service = {{ubl|Nvidia TegraZone|Google Play|GeForce Now}}
| battery =
}}
The Nvidia Shield Portable (Nvidia Shield or NSP) is a handheld game console developed by Nvidia, released on July 31, 2013.{{cite news|title=NVIDIA Shield ships July 31st, barely meets delayed launch window|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/21/nvidia-shield-ships-july-31st/|access-date=July 21, 2013|newspaper=Engadget|date=21 July 2013|archive-date=8 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708002014/http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/21/nvidia-shield-ships-july-31st/|url-status=live}} It runs on Android Lollipop 5.1, featuring a flip 130mm (5-inch) touchscreen display{{cite web |last=Kelion |first=Leo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20931265 |title=BBC News - CES 2013: NVIDIA unveils Project Shield gaming console |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=January 7, 2013 |access-date=2013-06-30 |archive-date=2013-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529014031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20931265 |url-status=live }} with 1280×720 resolution.{{cite web | author=Elia "Rain" Niccolini | date=January 9, 2013 | title=Project Shield, NVIDIA's new console | language=it | url=http://www.eirgames.com/1958/project-shield-la-nuova-console-di-nvidia/ | work=EIR Games | access-date=July 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327113321/http://www.eirgames.com/1958/project-shield-la-nuova-console-di-nvidia/ | archive-date=March 27, 2016 | url-status=dead }} It is similar in shape to an Xbox 360 controller and similar in control setup to a DualShock controller, with two analog joysticks, a D-pad, and other buttons. It is the first device to use Nvidia's Tegra 4 processor. It was originally called Shield or Nvidia Shield, but since the launch of the Shield Tablet, it is called the Shield Portable.{{cite web|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/nvidia-shield-tablet-features-price-408216/ |title=Nvidia Shield Tablet Features and Price |website=Android Authority |access-date=22 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725095936/http://www.androidauthority.com/nvidia-shield-tablet-features-price-408216/ |archive-date=July 25, 2014 }}
Due to being out of stock for many years, it is presumably discontinued, but there has not yet been any official announcement from Nvidia.{{cn|date=June 2020}} An update in 2022 removed the GameStream feature from all Shield devices including the portable models.{{cite web |last1=Warren |first1=Tom |title=Nvidia ends support for its GameStream feature on Shield devices |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/19/23516370/nvidia-gamestream-feature-shield-devices-end-of-support |website=The Verge |date=19 December 2022}}
Features
Through Nvidia's GameStream suite, Shield Portable allows the streaming of games running on a desktop PC equipped with a GeForce GTX 650 or higher video card (formerly known as GeForce PC Streaming). The Android 4.4.2 update for Shield Portable adds Console Mode, which allows a Shield Portable to be connected to a TV at either 720p, 1080p or 4K resolution (either using a wireless connection or MicroHDMI) and controlled with a Bluetooth controller, and software for mapping on-screen control buttons to the device's hardware buttons for Android games which do not natively support them.{{cite web|title=NVIDIA Consolidates Game Streaming Tech Under GameStream Brand; Announces Shield Console Mode|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/7435/nvidia-consolidates-game-streaming-tech-under-gamestream-brand-announces-shield-console-mode|work=Anandtech|access-date=28 October 2013|archive-date=27 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027065711/http://www.anandtech.com/show/7435/nvidia-consolidates-game-streaming-tech-under-gamestream-brand-announces-shield-console-mode|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Is Nvidia's Shield worth $300? We debate the math|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042583/is-nvidias-shield-worth-300-we-debate-the-math.html|work=PC World|access-date=28 October 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029203301/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042583/is-nvidias-shield-worth-300-we-debate-the-math.html|url-status=live}}
Alongside the exclusive games available through Nvidia's own TegraZone market and GeForce Now game-streaming service, Shield Portable can also access the Google Play store, as with most other Android-based devices.{{cite web |url=http://shield.nvidia.com/play-android-games |title=Stream and Play Android Games - NVIDIA SHIELD |publisher=Shield.nvidia.com |access-date=2013-06-30 |archive-date=2015-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303180637/http://shield.nvidia.com/play-android-games |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/Releases/NVIDIA-Untethers-Gaming-With-Project-SHIELD-8ee.aspx |title=NVIDIA Newsroom - Releases - NVIDIA Untethers Gaming With Project SHIELD |publisher=Nvidianews.nvidia.com |access-date=2013-06-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516103717/http://nvidianews.nvidia.com/Releases/NVIDIA-Untethers-Gaming-With-Project-SHIELD-8ee.aspx |archive-date=2013-05-16 }}
Software updates
Nvidia released SHIELD Portable Software Upgrade 103 on July 23, 2015, which added Android 5.1, Chromecast support to connect to a TV and removes some games that do not work with Android 5.1. Miracast support was also removed.[https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/858333/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-103-released-07-23-15-/ NVIDIA Shield Portable Software Upgrade 103 released] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723215825/https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/858333/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-103-released-07-23-15-/ |date=2015-07-23 }} Retrieved 23 July 2015
Nvidia released SHIELD Portable Software Upgrade 106 on September 3, 2015.{{Cite web |url=https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/874078/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-106-9-3-15-/ |title=NVIDIA SHIELD Portable Software Upgrade 106 (9/3/15) - GeForce Forums |access-date=2015-09-03 |archive-date=2015-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922155743/https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/874078/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-106-9-3-15-/ |url-status=live }}
Nvidia released SHIELD Portable Software Upgrade 110 on July 6, 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/949205/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-110-7-6-16-/ |title=NVIDIA SHIELD Portable Software Upgrade 110 (7/6/16) - GeForce Forums |access-date=2016-08-01 |archive-date=2016-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912095940/https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/949205/shield-portable/nvidia-shield-portable-software-upgrade-110-7-6-16-/ |url-status=live }}
Critical reception
Nvidia Shield Portable has received mixed reception from critics. Generally, reviewers praised the performance of the device, but criticized the cost and lack of worthwhile games. IGN's Scott Lowe rated the Shield Portable a 6.8/10, noting the "impractical cost and a scarcity of compelling games".{{cite web|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review|title=Android handheld of the future. Not today.|last=Lowe|first=Scott|publisher=IGN|date=July 30, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=July 31, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130731104153/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review|url-status=live}} Engadget's review noted the system's "extremely impressive PC gaming", but also that due to its high price, the device was "a hard sell as a portable game console", especially when compared to similar handhelds on the market.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review/|title=NVIDIA Shield review|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|publisher=Engadget|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=August 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802165429/http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/31/nvidia-shield-review/|url-status=live}} CNET's Eric Franklin states in his review of the device that "The Nvidia Shield is an extremely well made device, with performance that pretty much obliterates any mobile product before it; but like most new console launches, there is currently a lack of available games worth your time."{{cite web |last=Franklin |first=Eric |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nvidia-shield/4505-10109_7-35566996.html |title=Nvidia Shield Review |publisher=Reviews.cnet.com |access-date=2013-08-02 |archive-date=2013-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803072135/http://reviews.cnet.com/consoles/nvidia-shield/4505-10109_7-35566996.html |url-status=live }} Eurogamer's comprehensive review of the device provides a detailed account of the device and its features; concluded by saying: "In the here and now, the first-gen Shield Portable is a gloriously niche, luxury product - the most powerful Android system on the market by a clear stretch and possessing a unique link to PC gaming that's seriously impressive in beta form, and can only get better."{{cite web |last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-nvidia-shield-review |title=Nvidia Shield review |date=11 August 2013 |publisher=Eurogamer.net |access-date=2013-08-12 |archive-date=2013-08-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812215146/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-nvidia-shield-review |url-status=live }}
See also
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References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|shield.nvidia.com/portable-game-player}}
- [http://www.geforce.com/whats-new/articles/nvidia-project-shield NVIDIA Untethers Gaming with Project SHIELD]
{{Nvidia}}
{{Handheld game consoles}}
{{Android other}}
{{Portal bar|2010s|Video games|Electronics}}
Category:Products introduced in 2013
Category:Android-based handheld game consoles
Category:Portable media players