NVIDIA Officially Unveils The Tegra-K1 Equipped Shield Tablet for $299

dgstorm

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It looks like all of our NVIDIA intel was true in one way or another. The company just officially took the wraps off their brand new Tegra-K1 equipped Shield tablet. The new gaming tablet/portable console device will ship in North America July 29th. It will hit Europe August 4, and other regions of the globe later this fall.

Before we jump into the nitty gritty of its specs and features, we also have pricing details. The Shield Tablet 16GB/Wi-Fi version will cost $299, and the 32GB/LTE model will sell for $399. Additionally, the optional Shield controller will cost $59.

Now for the juicy parts... here's the primary spec-list:
  • 8-inch Full HD IPS LCD display
  • Built-in stylus that works with Nvidia’s new DirectStylus 2 tech
  • Tegra K1 SoC - 192 Kepler-based GPU cores (with support for some desktop class graphics)
  • Quad-core Cortex A15 processor spinning at 2.2GHz
  • 2GB of RAM
  • Wi-Fi only version with 16GB of built-in storage, and an LTE-equipped version with 32GB of storage
  • Both feature an expansion card slot for up to 128GB of additional storage space
That's not all though. This new tablet is more than just internals. NVIDIA have gone all-out by including what they claim are some "world's first" features for this super-gaming tablet. Here's a quote from their presser with the details,

String of World Firsts

The SHIELD tablet provides a range of firsts for a tablet:

  • PC Streaming: First to stream games from a PC desktop or notebook, from anywhere in the home – using NVIDIA GameStreamTM technology to stream from systems powered by an NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 6xx series or greater GPU.
  • Cloud Streaming: First to stream PC games from the cloud. Gamers can access the NVIDIA GRIDTM cloud gaming beta, available exclusively to SHIELD owners in Northern California, to instantly stream a library of high-quality PC games, and then save them in the cloud.
  • Twitch and NVIDIA ShadowPlayTM: First to feature Twitch – the leading video platform and community for gamers – which is also integrated with ShadowPlay, an advanced game-capture tool that lets users save and stream their greatest gaming moments. Gamers can stream titles from the SHIELD tablet to friends and foes worldwide. SHIELD Tablet also includes a 5MP front camera to enhance the image of the gamer overlaid on the Twitch gamecast.
  • Console Mode: First to feature NVIDIA Console Mode, which takes your tablet gameplay to your big screen TV. Console Mode transforms the device into a full living-room gaming and entertainment experience. Gamers can set up their SHIELD wireless controller, sit back on their couch and play Android games, browse the web and watch their favorite movies — all in native 1080p HD.
It looks like this puppy is crammed full of awesome gaming features. For some folks, this might just be the an amazing step forward in portable gaming technology. Share your thoughts!
 
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dgstorm

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Here's the full press release,

NVIDIA Launches World’s First Tablet Built for Gamers
SHIELD Family Expands as World’s Most Advanced Mobile Processor, 192-Core Tegra K1, Serves Up Unmatched Tablet Experience, Amazing Gaming
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — July 22, 2014 — NVIDIA today launched the newest members of the NVIDIA® SHIELDTM family — the SHIELD tablet and the SHIELD wireless controller.

Designed and built by NVIDIA, SHIELD Tablet is the ultimate tablet for gamers, delivering unparalleled gaming performance made possible by the world’s most powerful mobile processor, the NVIDIA Tegra® K1, and frequent software updates that bring new features and improved performance.

The SHIELD tablet is built for gaming, featuring a bright, 8-inch, full HD display, booming front- facing speakers with rich sound, and an optional cover that both protects the screen and can be used as a stand to support the device. To transform the tablet form factor into a serious gaming machine, NVIDIA has built the SHIELD wireless controller, which provides the precision, low latency and ergonomics that serious gamers demand.

The SHIELD tablet offers optional LTE for gamers to take their online gaming anywhere. And to ensure the device delivers the richest gaming experience, NVIDIA will provide regular, over-the- air software updates.

“If you’re a gamer and you use a tablet, the NVIDIA SHIELD tablet was created specifically for you,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and chief executive officer at NVIDIA. “The SHIELD tablet delivers unique gaming capabilities to keep even the most avid gamer deeply immersed, anywhere they play.”

As with the original member of the SHIELD family, the original SHIELD portable, the SHIELD tablet is the portal to compelling content that gamers will love, including over 400 SHIELD- optimized Android games, as well as the ability to wirelessly stream users’ PC gaming libraries.

The SHIELD tablet’s gaming capabilities are powered by its Tegra K1 mobile processor, with a 192-core GPU that taps into the same NVIDIA KeplerTM architecture that drives the most extreme gaming PCs.

String of World Firsts

The SHIELD tablet provides a range of firsts for a tablet:

  • PC Streaming: First to stream games from a PC desktop or notebook, from anywhere in the home – using NVIDIA GameStreamTM technology to stream from systems powered by an NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 6xx series or greater GPU.
  • Cloud Streaming: First to stream PC games from the cloud. Gamers can access the NVIDIA GRIDTM cloud gaming beta, available exclusively to SHIELD owners in Northern California, to instantly stream a library of high-quality PC games, and then save them in the cloud.
  • Twitch and NVIDIA ShadowPlayTM: First to feature Twitch – the leading video platform and community for gamers – which is also integrated with ShadowPlay, an advanced game-capture tool that lets users save and stream their greatest gaming moments. Gamers can stream titles from the SHIELD tablet to friends and foes worldwide. SHIELD Tablet also includes a 5MP front camera to enhance the image of the gamer overlaid on the Twitch gamecast.
  • Console Mode: First to feature NVIDIA Console Mode, which takes your tablet gameplay to your big screen TV. Console Mode transforms the device into a full living-room gaming and entertainment experience. Gamers can set up their SHIELD wireless controller, sit back on their couch and play Android games, browse the web and watch their favorite movies — all in native 1080p HD.
Controller for Serious Gamers, with Ultra-Low Latency Wi-Fi

The SHIELD wireless controller is the most advanced device of its kind, allowing gamers to boost performance with ultra-low latency Wi-Fi Direct connectivity with up to four wireless controllers to game along with friends. It is the first precision controller designed for both PC gaming and Android, and features a gaming headset jack, built-in touch pad, volume control and revolutionary voice command and search.

Best Stylus

A stylus allows tablet experiences that touch-only tablets can’t match, and the NVIDIA DirectStylusTM 2 technology on the SHIELD tablet is a game-changer. Twice as responsive as its predecessor, DirectStylus 2 technology enables the first GPU-accelerated 3D painting experience, a new capability where pigment and paint mix and bleed physically, in real time, and the palette is naturally illuminated in 3D as the user adjusts the light source.

Aspiring artists can use DirectStylus 2 to capture the attitude of every stroke on the SHIELD tablet, take notes with the integrated apps and handwriting recognition, or get creative with the NVIDIA DabblerTM app’s hyper-realistic watercolor and 3D Paint oil painting.

Dynamic Sound

Ensuring that every game, song and podcast sounds incredibly crisp and clear, NVIDIA PureAudioTM technology delivers dynamic sound through front-facing stereo speakers and a dual-ported bass-reflex enclosure.

Versatile Cover

The sturdy, optional SHIELD tablet cover does more than just protect the tablet. It offers a variety of flexible stand positions to make gaming and entertainment more enjoyable.

Preloaded with NVIDIA SHIELD Hub and Trine 2

The SHIELD tablet comes preloaded with the NVIDIA SHIELD Hub app, the center of the gamer’s SHIELD experience. The app offers one-touch access to over 400 SHIELD-optimized Android game titles, along with Google Play, where gamers can download thousands of apps, including Netflix, Pandora and more.

Also bundled is the popular Frostbyte game Trine 2: Complete Story. Originally a huge hit on PlayStation, Xbox and Steam, the game is now optimized for great gameplay and graphics on the Tegra K1 processor.

Pricing, Availability and Accessories

The SHIELD tablet comes with either Wi-Fi connectivity, or Wi-Fi and LTE. It’s available in 16- and 32GB, with MicroSD (up to 128GB), starting at $299. The SHIELD wireless controller retails for $59. The SHIELD tablet cover retails for $39.

The SHIELD tablet, wireless controller and tablet cover are now available for preorder in the United States, Canada and select European countries. Preorders in the United States are available at shield.nvidia.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Micro Center, Newegg and Tiger Direct, and in Canada at Canada Computers, Memory Express, NCIX and ThinkGeek.
 

Jeffrey

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NVIDIA claims this tab is 4K ready.. Got my doubts
 

kodiak799

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Hmmmm.....This looks very interesting (I'm in the market for a 7-8" tablet).

But because I always complain, why not 3gigs ram? Really interested in their stylus.

Also curious when, at least for tablets, we'll start seeing 2 sd slots (is that even possible in Android)? Although it looks like maybe we'll just have to wait for the 256gig cards to come out
 

swc2001

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Ok here comes the Troll!!! Everybody get out your pitch forks and torches!!
I am not sure why this seems to be so "Revolutionary" I have been doing this for years now with the Sixaxis App and my Playstation 3 Control.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dancingpixelstudios.sixaxiscontroller
I use it in Tandom with the "Classic boy" emulator app The Control also controls the whole Android device from the couch while you have it Mirrored to the TV.
The Sixaxis also allows you to play games such as Modern Combat 3 and other Android games.
So I guess this is not a new concept but rather Done in such a way that the Average user without a hacked phone or tablet can play in this manner. With the Troll of me put aside.... I actually think it is a very good thing. This is a new leap toward this being the "Norm" instead of the fringe power users. I believe this is the future of gaming. Watch out Microsoft, Sony, & Nintendo.
Actually I hope they make their own game systems like this in the future. I do think the day of the traditional console is fading fast.
 

kodiak799

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I believe this is the future of gaming. Watch out Microsoft, Sony, & Nintendo.

I don't know. The PS4 and XBox are comparably priced with far superior ram, a HD DvD and more storage.

The challenged will be how easy it is to port games, because Android will remain a distant 3rd place for installed base for some time, which is what matters to high-end developers.
 

Narsil

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At that price, with those specs, there's no longer any real question which tablet will replace my TF101.

tumblr_mc3gcwi5cx1rifnrio7_250.gif
 

xeene

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Needs to be priced under $100 to compete with handhelds and consoles.
Heck, for $250 I can get a laptop to game on.
 
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