Nvidia Explains Why Shield is Delayed Until July
Blame the third-party mechanical component.
On Wednesday Nvidia's Jason Paul said in a blog that the upcoming Tegra 4-powered Android handheld gaming console, Shield, has been delayed until July. It was originally slated to ship on Thursday, June 27 (tomorrow).
"We’ve taken the hard decision to delay shipping until next month," he said. "The issue relates to a third-party mechanical component, and we’re working around the clock with the supplier to get it up to our expectations. We apologize to those who have preordered Shields and to all those who are waiting for them to go on sale."
Last week Nvidia reduced Shield's retail price point, dropping the cost from $349 down to $299. Jason Paul said the new price is in response to feedback the company received from gamers and the press who have fondled the device since it was first introduced back at CES 2013 in January.
"Feedback from gamers is why Shield’s triggers have the perfect throw length. Why Shield’s buttons have just the right amount of give. Why Shield’s thumb sticks are so satisfying to flick. Why playing games on Shield’s pure Android software feels so slick," said Paul.
News of the delay, which remains as a vague "July 2013" release, arrives after an apparent NDA has been lifted on a demonstration of using Shield to pilot Parrot's AR.Drone 2.0. A number of reports are now appearing online including our own written by Chris Angelini. The article's embedded video demos skilled piloting using a Shield-optimized version of the AR.Freeflight software.
"Shield’s five-inch screen is also where you see the camera’s 720p output, and where you’re able to start a recording. But the two joysticks take care of control," he reports. "The right stick is tasked with up/down and rotation, while the other one banks left/right and pitches forward/back."
Looks like we'll have to wait another month to sample Shield-powered AR.Drone in our back yards. Yeah, we feel the hurt too. Really.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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giovanni86 If it had the ability to use my PC and stream it anywhere I'm at, like say my relatives house it would be nice, but for use around my house only... Meh. That idea is dead.Reply -
blevsta Why should anyone buy the Shield? Here's a list of features and what actually interests me:Reply
1. Plays Android games - MEH
2. Plays Steam games - OK, I'm listening
2a. When streaming from your PC - Damn, OK I think I can make that work
2b. Requires a GTX 650 or higher - I qualify, but you just isolated a huge portion of possible buyers. Go on...
2c. Supported games are limited. List of supported games not available yet - You're losing me here...
2d. Requires you to be on the same wireless network as your PC. - Fail. Why would I want a portable device if I can't leave my house with said device?
Edit: Fixed GTX requirement. Thanks Ipwn3r456 -
hoofhearted I assum that "must be on same network as PC" can be solved with ddwrt and pptp. I use the vpn client to stream to xbmc and vlc already.Reply -
ipwn3r456 Reply11046413 said:Why should anyone buy the Shield? Here's a list of features and what actually interests me:
1. Plays Android games - MEH
2. Plays Steam games - OK, I'm listening
2a. When streaming from your PC - Damn, OK I think I can make that work
2b. Requires a GTX 660 or higher - I qualify, but you just isolated a huge portion of possible buyers. Go on...
2c. Supported games are limited. List of supported games not available yet - You're losing me here...
2d. Requires you to be on the same wireless network as your PC. - Fail. Why would I want a portable device if I can't leave my house with said device?
For 2b, it's actually GTX 650 or higher, so that includes a few more people from the community. -
somebodyspecial Reply11046413 said:Why should anyone buy the Shield? Here's a list of features and what actually interests me:
1. Plays Android games - MEH
2. Plays Steam games - OK, I'm listening
2a. When streaming from your PC - Damn, OK I think I can make that work
2b. Requires a GTX 650 or higher - I qualify, but you just isolated a huge portion of possible buyers. Go on...
2c. Supported games are limited. List of supported games not available yet - You're losing me here...
2d. Requires you to be on the same wireless network as your PC. - Fail. Why would I want a portable device if I can't leave my house with said device?
Edit: Fixed GTX requirement. Thanks Ipwn3r456
1. Why meh to android games. I can give you a fairly good list of excellent games if desired. Games like Hawken are coming also. Not bad to look at that...Android games are already as good as Vita or 3DS. No real difference there. Hawken shows xbox360/ps3 types are just around the corner and there are many that look like these old gens already IMHO. It's a portable device because you CAN LEAVE the house...ROFL. You're confusing me.
2b. 65% of us buy NV hardware each year and a 650 is $110 or so at newegg etc. I'd say encompassing $110 up to Titan etc multi cards etc is a pretty wide range. If it required a 770+ then you'd be correct. But a 650 is low end.
2d. No, only if you want to stream your PC's gpu. It's a portable android game player and movie player (heck good browser too) out of the house (any MKV, avi etc etc, out to any HDMI tv in a hotel etc etc). I guess you think Vita/3DS owners are nuts too? I don't like wearing out my hands on a flat uncomfortable vita/3ds but an xbox like gamepad I can actually grip correctly I could play on for a bit.
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somebodyspecial Reply11045928 said:Its better its delayed then released faulty like an EA product ><
Totally agree with this. ALWAYS delay if it's not functioning correctly. FIX IT, then release it. -
nhat11 It's hard to make decisions like this because it will piss the ones that want it asap but this decision is for the best to fix any issues before release.Reply