In response to a growing amount of “buzz” generated around NVIDIA’s SHIELD Android gaming unit, pre-orders went live today. Initially, they were dated to go up on May 20, but if you planned on shelling out the $349.99 and possibly another $60 on accessories in the shape of a case and custom lids, you can do so now. 

You can pick up your SHIELD right from NVIDIA and they will ship out by the end of June according to their website.

On a separate note, it would have been nice for NVIDIA to bundle your pre-order with a free case or something. Incentives are always good.

Pre-order

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA SHIELD Pre-Order Date Moved Up to Today, Still $349 is a post from: Droid Life

Well, pricing is official - NVIDIA’s SHIELD gaming system will run $349 at launch. So the big question now is, are you going to buy one? This product was first unveiled some five and a half months ago at CES to a mix of emotions and reviews from both media and consumers. We all wondered if there was a need for a portable gaming system that can stream and play your PC  games along with your current mobile collection? Is your phone already a good enough mobile gaming device or is this truly the future of mobile gaming? What would the price be? All tough questions that I’m not sure anyone has an answer for (well outside of the price which we now know), until we can spend more time with.

So tell us, are you buying SHIELD? If so, sell the community on why you are buying it. If not, we tell what is holding you back.

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying NVIDIA’s SHIELD? is a post from: Droid Life

Details have finally been released for NVIDIA’s highly-anticipated SHIELD. Previously known as Project SHIELD, they dropped “Project” and decided SHEILD was a better way to go. Either way, we first saw the Tegra 4-powered SHIELD at this year’s CES in January, so after months (it felt like years) of awaiting news on pricing and a release date, we finally have it. 

Priced at $349, pre-orders can be placed for SHIELD starting today if you had previously signed up for the “Notify Me” service for the device. General public pre-orders will begin Monday, May 20. If you are interested in placing an order, you can do so through sites such as Newegg, GameStop, Micro Center, and Canada Computers.

So, I think it’s time for a refresher in SHIELD. The device is a portable gaming console that is expected to ship with Android 4.2.1. The device has a 5″ 720p display, the Tegra 4 processor filled with 72 GPU cores and four CPU cores, topped with 2GB of RAM. It sports a mini-HDMI out slot, microSD slot, dual analog joysticks, a full-sized d-pad, triggers, bumpers, and everything else a gamer might need while on the go. And don’t forget about SHIELD’s ability to stream your PC games, a feature that will launch as a beta as they continue to optimize the service. 

We have waited months for this information – $349 for a pure Android gaming device, complete with big speakers, an HD display, and awesome controls. Sound like something you might be ordering?

For more info on SHIELD and details on ordering, hit up the via.

Via:  NVIDIA

NVIDIA SHIELD Release Details Announced, General Pre-Orders Start May 20 For $349 is a post from: Droid Life

NVIDIA continues their teasing of Project SHIELD with another video, this time featuring an upcoming Android title, Arma Tactics. With Tegra 4 enhancements, Arma Tactics is an extremely well designed warfare game, with random missions and objectives, meaning gameplay should never be the same twice. 

Of course, it’s not really the game we are truly concerned about, but the hardware it is being played on. NVIDIA, when are we getting release date and pricing information?

Check out the video below to see what to expect when Arma Tactics drops on Android.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: NVIDIA

Video: NVIDIA Shows Off Arma Tactics on Project SHIELD is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

Were you one of the people that thought Project SHIELD was pointless? Prepare to eat your words. Here at GTC, I caught a glimpse of an NVIDIA employee flying his new Parrot AR Drone, running on Project SHIELD. 

Flying the drone is cool all by itself, but with SHIELD, you are able to view what the drone sees on that crisp 720p display, and control the drone much more accurately with the SHIELD’s joysticks.

Pretty cool, right?

Video: NVIDIA’s Project SHIELD Powers a Parrot AR Drone is a post from: Droid Life

At the 2013 CES, NVIDIA took center stage with Project SHIELD, showing off an upcoming Android title called Real Boxing. Well, we still don’t have SHIELD (and you know how I feel about that), but Real Boxing hit Google Play this AM. Real Boxing is the most life-like fighting experience you will find on Android currently, bringing enhanced 3D graphics and lighting. The game is so detailed, you will see every drop of blood as you pummel it out of your opponent. 

That’s all find and dandy, but what sort of puts a bad taste in my mouth is that the title is currently a Tegra exclusive title. So, most phones are already out of the picture and it’s basically limited to anyone that owns an ASUS tablet. Hooray for the openness of Android. Rant over.

The game costs $5 in Google Play, which may not be too bad if boxing is your sport of choice.

Play Link ($4.99)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Real Boxing Hits Google Play, Remains a Tegra Exclusive Title For Now is a post from: Droid Life

As we sit in our caves, awaiting further information on some type of release date or pricing for Project SHIELD, NVIDIA seems rather content on dangling this device in front of us, giggling as we become frustrated with their lack of transparency. Oh well. 

Every week, NVIDIA posts a video showing off upcoming features in Project SHIELD and today, they are giving us a new look at the upcoming sequel to Riptide GP, Riptide GP 2. Using the processing power of the unreleased Tegra 4 CPU, the game brings some stunning water-centric graphics to your handheld.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA Continues C*ck Tease of Project SHIELD With Upcoming Sequel to Riptide GP is a post from: Droid Life

From what we can see, either you love the idea of NVIDIA’s Project SHIELD or find it to be the biggest waste of resources ever. According to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Product Manager’s recent comments, I think we know where they stand on that one.

In a recent chat with The Verge, Raj Tulluri said that these devices will find a way to come out to market on their own, which gives Qualcomm little reason to compete with their customers in the hardware-making game. In essence, he feels that they would be stealing business from themselves if they made a rival to Project SHIELD. 

I don’t need to make a box. I just need Moga to make a controller. I can’t see too much difference between that and the Project SHIELD. It seems to do everything the Tegra 4 one does!

Although, to clarify, he mentioned that mobile gaming is indeed the future, but he would rather keep to making the chips that power these future devices instead of making one themselves. “I think the market will happen, and I think our customers will make those products happen. I’ve seen a lot of different products people are building.”

Given his role at Qualcomm, Raj works on projects that are years ahead of the market’s offerings, so he is certainly in “the know” in terms of what we can see down the road with mobile gaming and devices.

Long story short, don’t expect to see Qualcomm unveil a gaming console/controller hybrid in the near future.

Via: The Verge

Qualcomm: You Won’t Be Seeing a Project SHIELD Rival From Us is a post from: Droid Life

Late last night, NVIDIA decided to continue its tease fest of Project SHIELD to the Android/Gaming communities. We still have no release dates and no pricing, but sure, let’s go ahead and watch some more demos of this thing in action. This time, we have them showing off some Borderlands 2 gameplay, with textures cranked all the way up to 11 while the game is being streamed from a Falcon TiKi PC in the same room. 

I know I’m not alone when I say this. NVIDIA, please stop messing around and just give us a price so we know whether to be excited or saddened. It’s not that hard, right?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA Teases More Project SHIELD, This Time With Borderlands 2 is a post from: Droid Life

If you watched our coverage of CES from this year, you undoubtedly saw and heard our thoughts on NVIDIA’s upcoming gaming device, Project SHIELD. The device, which basically looks like an Xbox 360 controller with an HD display attached, is NVIDIA’s vision of the future of gaming. Imagine being able to take your PC quality games with you wherever you go, while having full access to Android’s ecosystem, including Google Play and other Google services. For Android fans and gamers alike, it might be a dream come true.

For the first time since its announcement, NVIDIA has posted a somewhat lengthy, but in-depth look into the creation of Project SHIELD. The story covers a few months of what engineers and gamers went through to create a device that their company and CEO could be proud of. Everything from late night KFC runs to the final prototype build that took the stage just 10 days later with Mr. Jen-Hsun.

If you want to check out the full story, follow the via down below. As a note, don’t expect to find any hints as to how much or when we can expect to get this thing on the market. I already checked.

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at Creation of Project SHIELD is a post from: Droid Life

It seems a little poorly timed, given CES is wrapping up, but NVIDIA has released a short booth tour video which gives folks an in-depth look at the NVIDIA CES experience. With a quick look at the Grid Cloud Gaming system, a behind the scenes peek at Project SHIELD, and the Tegra-powered cars, the NVIDIA booth was definitely one of the best ones there. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

NVIDIA Posts CES Booth Tour Video – Shows Off Cars, Tegra 4, Project SHIELD is a post from: Droid Life

We were fortunate enough to grab some special hands-on time with NVIDIA here at CES and get an up-close look at the new Project Shield. So far, we are very impressed. NVIDIA has clearly put a ton of time into the design of the system and when you get your hands on it, it feels fantastic.

We could tell that there are still a few manufactuering bugs that will undoubtedly be worked out (hinges on the clamshell seemed rather loose), but in terms of performance and overall feel, it was top notch. Below we have a full hands-on gallery as well as a video of our experience, which as soon as it is fully rendered and uploaded will be down below.

Let us know your thoughts on SHIELD. We’ll come back with more thoughts later, probably after the DL Show.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Hands-on Video and Gallery: NVIDIA Project SHIELD [CES 2013] is a post from: Droid Life

On Sunday evening, NVIDIA made the largest splash of CES with the unveiling of Project SHIELD, a cloud based mobile gaming system that allows users to play PC titles right on the device. NVIDIA has worked years on creating the infrastructure and hardware of SHIELD, but some are still unconvinced that the device could become largely successful. The reason for this apparent doubt is that NVIDIA has yet to announce any type of pricing for the device, which people have guessed could cost anywhere from $199 all the way to even $499 and beyond.

From the few hands-on reviews we have seen so far of the device, the hardware seems to be of utmost quality, making some other Android-powered gaming systems look rather cheap and plasticy. The speakers are loud, the display is clear and bright, and all of the buttons and triggers seem to be what you would expect on any top console gaming system (Xbox 360, PS3) on the market today.

So, without knowing how much it is, would you buy one? Feel free to let us know the price point you are hoping NVIDIA can meet in order for you to be interested in the device.

Tuesday Poll: Will You Buy NVIDIA’s Project SHIELD? is a post from: Droid Life

Free-to-play may be all the rage right now, but NVIDIA doesn’t want that to mean that their new Project SHIELD will be anything cheap or cheaply made. SHIELD will carry all sorts of games on its platform, from free-to-play all the way up to triple A blockbusters from big name development companies.

NVIDIA wants to do something special with their new project, but doesn’t want people to think that open operating system and open game selection will mean this will be a lower quality device. They don’t want to be razor or printer companies who only profit on the sales of razor blades and printer ink to make their money. NVIDIA is planning on making an awesome handheld, “one that fits comfortably in your hand, delights your eyes and blows out your ears.” Don’t expect this piece of hardware to be on the cheap end of anyone’s budget when it launches.

Via: NVIDIA

NVIDIA is Making Project SHIELD a “Truly Great Piece of Hardware” is a post from: Droid Life

Click here to view the embedded video.

NVIDIA’s newly announced Project Shield will likely be the talk of the week here at CES, unless of course, someone else has a massive gaming surprise up their sleeve. With its Tegra 4 processor, 5″ HD display, impressive cloud gaming technology, and stock Android operating system, this device is the ultimate mobile gamer’s dream. And actually, it may be any gamer’s dream device, as it works to create an all-encompassing gaming experience from Android to PC and from handheld device to TV.

In this highlight video above, you get to see the barebones side of Project Shield.

Depending on price, are you ready to buy one?

Video: NVIDIA’s Project Shield in the Making is a post from: Droid Life