Nvidia, best known for its powerful graphic chips, is releasing a new 8-inch tablet called the Shield. Aimed towards the gaming market, it will be powered with Nvidia's own Tegra K1, which has been smashing benchmark test records. The Tegra K1 chip has 192 dedicated graphics cores identical to the ones used in Tesla supercomputer accelerators. It will also run an unknown version of Android, come with a stylus, and a wireless controller.

Unlike other mobile devices that are considered “casual” gaming platforms, Shield hopes to appeal to hardcore gaming demographics that usually rely on desktops and consoles. Shield can stream games from a PC, but you will need the right Nvidia GeForce card in your desktop or laptop at home, with a decent router. If compatible, you can stream your favorite games like Titanfall, Skyrim, Batman, and Borderlands 2 though a feature called Nvidia Gamestream. Several controllers can be paired with the tablet to allow multiplayer gaming. Users can also play any of the 400 titles optimized for touch or the Shield controller. Gaming options don't stop there. Cloud PC games can be streamed through a Beta version of Nvidia Grid. Console gaming mode allows users to purchase the Wifi-Direct-based Shield wireless controller, where they can play games viewed on an HDTV. Finally, Shield even supports game-casting to Twitch, the world's leading video platform and community for gamers.

Shield is for gaming, but it's also expected to be a decent everyday tablet as well. Web surfing should be sufficient based on good CPU performance benchmarks. DirectStylus 2 will be included with the tablet and will support Evernote, a collection of apps for memos, communication, and organization. It measures 8-inches across, with a 1920 x 1200 display for native HD resolution, two front-facing speakers, and a convenient cover that can be propped up like a kickstand. The Shield wireless controller offers low latency Wi-Fi connectivity and can be compared to an Xbox 360 controller when considering lag time.



Shield general manager Matt Wuebbling says, “We really think it's a perfect device for gamers. A really high cross-section of people have tablets and want a tablet for gaming”. This also comes at a time when the tablet market is beginning to slow its growth. Considering Shield's display can be viewed on many different types of screens and offers multiple types of gaming, some users could consider this their main gaming console. Like other Android tablets, it also comes preloaded with Google Play, Netflix, Pandora, and other apps. The stylus can be used for fun drawing applications such as Dabbler, a 3D “hyper-realistic” watercolor and oil painting game. Shield is available for pre-order now, with shipments expected July 29 in the U.S. and Canada.