Nvidia Shield Tablet Update Brings Android Nougat, Other Features

Nvidia updated the Shield Tablet to Android 7.0 (Nougat) and introduced a slew of new functions as well as improvements to existing features.

Multitaskers will probably enjoy the ability to run two apps at once in both portrait and landscape mode. And, for those who prefer to run one app at a time, a new Quick Switch function will bring up the most recently used program by double-tapping the Overview button. Nvidia also updated the Doze battery-saving feature to make sure it works even when the Shield Tablet's being moved around.

The update also brings support for the company's new Shield controller, which was introduced alongside the second generation of Nvidia’s Android TV device at CES 2017. Die-hard fans might also be interested in a new loyalty program called “Shield Rewards,” but we don’t know too much about it, as details on the program were slim. You can take a look at the rest of the improved functions below.

Improved Notifications

• Multiple notifications from the same app are now bundled for a streamlined experience
• Reply to messages directly from within the notification
• Tap and hold on a notification to quickly silence or block notifications from the app

Emoji

• Includes all-new Unicode 9 emojis

Usability Improvements

• Display & Font size can now separately adjustable to improve readability or screenspace
• Quick Settings can now be customized directly from the menu by tapping “Edit”
• The top Quick Setting tiles can now be accessed with a downward swipe from the lock screen
• Settings now includes a Navigation Menu & Suggestions to improve usability
• The “Clear all” option in Overview have been relocated to the top right

System wide improvements including

• New Data Saver: when enabled, limits access to Cellular data for background apps
• New JIT compiler: improves the speed of App & System updates
• Update to Android Security Patch Level December 1, 2016

Even though the update is available now, some users won’t be able to download it to their Shield Tablet immediately. Nvidia said that the update “will be a staggered release over the course of a few days to ensure stability.” If you own the first generation of Nvidia Shield TV, the same upgrade to Android 7.0 was released nearly two weeks ago, which also includes the ability to play 4K high dynamic range (HDR) video content.