NVIDIA Shield ships July 31st, barely meets delayed launch window

Posted on 21/07/2013 by Sean Buckley

NVIDIA has confirmed that its upcoming Android gaming handheld, Shield, will start shipping on July 31st. The Tegra 4 testing platform was originally scheduled to hit online retailers in late June, but was delayed due to "a mechanical issue that relates to a third-party component." Now, the company is writing to customers with pre-orders thanking them for their patience and assuring them the product will be on its way by the end of the month.

The finalized ship date puts the product within its delayed July launch window by technicality, but due to the nature of snail mail, most buyers probably won't receive their unit until after the first of August. Frustrating for eager buyers perhaps, but at least NVIDIA's email strikes an apologetic tone -- assuring customers that the delay was a quality assurance measure. Can't wait until the end of the month? Check out our hands-on with the final hardware right here. Didn't pre-order? You'll find the company's official statement after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: Gaming, Mobile

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Source: NVIDIA

NVIDIA Shield retail launch delayed to July due to third-party component issue

Posted on 26/06/2013 by Ben Gilbert

NVIDIA's Shield won't arrive on its previously announced date of June 27th, instead moving its launch date to an undetermined point in July. A statement issued by NVIDIA explains the delay ambiguously, citing "a mechanical issue that relates to a third-party component" -- the company confirmed to Engadget it's an internal component, but wouldn't go into any more detail.

"We want Shield to be perfect, so we have elected to shift the launch date to July," the statement reads. We pushed the company for a specific date but were rebuffed -- "We'll update you as soon as we have an exact date," was all we were told. We'll have a full review of the Shield just ahead of its July launch; for now, we've got a hands-on with the final version from mid-May to tide you over. Head below the break for that video.

Filed under: Misc, Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, Software, Mobile, NVIDIA

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NVIDIA’s Shield now $300, arrives on June 27th (video)

Posted on 20/06/2013 by Ben Gilbert

Even before hitting store shelves, NVIDIA's Shield is shedding $50 from its original $350 asking price -- the little Android portable gaming console will cost $300 when it arrives at retail on June 27th. NVIDIA revealed both the new, lower price and release date today in a blog post which cited gamers asking for a lower price as the reason for the change. "We've heard from thousands of gamers that if the price was $299, we'd have a home run," the post reads. As such, the company's aiming for "a home run" with the new price point -- despite $300 being $50 more than a new PlayStation Vita, and just $100 short of a new PlayStation 4.

Folks who pre-ordered aren't out of luck, they'll just be charged $300 when their unit ships rather than $350. As for where you can pick a Shield up outside of NVIDIA's official website ... well, we're waiting on word from the company on supported retailers. We've dropped the video of our hands-on with the final Shield just below, should you wish to relive those memories with us.

Update: NVIDIA tells us that Newegg, GameStop, Micro Center and Canada Computers will all have Shield on the 27th.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Peripherals, HD, Mobile, NVIDIA

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Source: NVIDIA

Nyko reveals new accessories for Xbox One, PS4 and NVIDIA Shield

Posted on 11/06/2013 by Edgar Alvarez

Now that we know mostly everything about the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, it's about time for peripheral makers to start showcasing their planned gear for these next-gen consoles. As such, Nyko's taken to this year's E3 to announce a few products meant to be used alongside Microsoft and Sony's recently announced entertainment boxes -- there's a Smart Clip, a Charge Base and a Headset Adaptor (Xbox One-only). Meanwhile, Nyko also took the time to unveil a little something for the NVIDIA Shield, including a dock that doubles as a charging station, a couple of sleek traveling cases and a kit which provides power to the unorthodox handheld while on the go or at home. Nyko didn't dive into much of the availability (or pricing) specifics, but the trend seems to be that the add-ons will be available later this year.

Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Gallery: Nyko accessories for NVIDIA Shield, Xbox One and PS4

Filed under: Gaming, Peripherals

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Source: Nyko

NVIDIA Shield drops by the FCC, gets ready to fill pre-orders

Posted on 30/05/2013 by Sean Buckley

Eager to get your mitts on NVIDIA's first Tegra 4 device? Cast your jealous eyes upon the federal government -- they've already got one. NVIDIA's Shield gaming handheld dropped by the FCC to get its label approved, betraying its original code name, Project Thor, in the processes. Hardly a surprise to see the device passing federal muster, of course, as it's slated for release at the end of next month. Unfortunately, the filings don't reveal any hidden goodies (that is, no cellular radio), just a standard WiFi antenna. Still, if label location drawings and test reports are your thing, check out the FCC link below.

Filed under: Gaming, NVIDIA

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Source: FCC

Project Shield becomes NVIDIA Shield, launches for $350 this June

Posted on 14/05/2013 by Ben Gilbert

NVIDIA's "project not a product" just became a product: Project Shield is now NVIDIA Shield, and it's arriving this June for $350. The specs haven't changed -- it's still rockin' a Tegra 4 processor with 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch "retinal" IPS display (1280x720), and 16GB of storage (expandable to 64GB via microSD). The concept remains nigh identical with what NVIDIA head Jen-Hsun Huang introduced back at CES: a console-quality controller with an HD screen mounted to it for on-the-go and streaming PC gaming.

Beyond the price point and release window, the Shield is also getting a few new game announcements in Double Fine's Broken Age and Costume Quest, not to mention a new iteration of Chip's Challenge named "Chuck's Challenge." The AR.Drone folks are also adding in support for the Shield, enabling controller-based inputs over the motion-based usual. NVIDIA's also promising monthly OTA updates for the system, including the latest version of Android (the system ships with Jelly Bean 4.2.1). The company also warns that not all Android apps will work out of the box -- specifically, any that don't support landscape mode (the Netflix login screen, for example, has an issue here). Kinks aside, should you wish to be the very first to get a Shield, it's available for pre-order starting right now on NVIDIA's website (if you're on the mailing list, that is), or on May 20th everywhere else. Or you could sign up for the mailing list, of course.

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Mobile, NVIDIA

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Hands-on with NVIDIA Shield: NVIDIA’s project turned product

Posted on 14/05/2013 by Ben Gilbert

Handson with NVIDIA's project turned product, NVIDIA Shield

NVIDIA's Project Shield now has an official name (NVIDIA Shield), a release window ("by the end of June") and a price tag ($350). That's a full $100 more than the PlayStation Vita -- arguably the most competent competition for Shield's hardcore skewing demographic -- and even a smidgen over the cost of various full-on game consoles. Despite the high barrier to entry, NVIDIA tells us Shield will follow the same annualized model that its mobile phone counterparts do: a new internal upgrade each year to keep up with the times. And we already know what that future looks like. Given all that baggage, we can't help but approach our last hands-on before launch with an eye toward whether or not this is a worthy purchase. Is NVIDIA's Shield worth getting in on early?

Gallery: NVIDIA Shield (Hands-on final)