Nvidia Shield update adds official PC streaming, console mode, more Android support

With the Nvidia Shield's PC streaming function now out of its beta phase, the handheld's latest update should bring more flexibility to an already innovative device. The machine's new patch also introduces a new console mode and increased gamepad support for touch-screen games alongside Android 4.3, according to a press release today.

The Shield's PC streaming functionality, called GamesStream, puts it in a unique category. But as we saw in our recent review , it took some tinkering to get streaming up and running with acceptable control latency while in its beta phase. Previous Nvidia demonstrations , however, seemed to hint at its enormous potential. But now that it's officially released, Nvidia is billing it as a way to beam bleeding-edge games like Batman: Arkham Origins and Assassin's Creed 4 at 720p resolution onto a—hopefully—massive living room setup. This is possible when paired with the system's new Console Mode and a compatible Bluetooth controller, according to Nvidia.

The update also adds controller support for a new batch of Android games originally conceived with a touchscreen control scheme. The Shield does have a touchscreen built-in, but the addition of physical controls should make adapting more Android games to the machine even easier, depending on your preference as a player. If nothing else, it gets your thumbs out of the way and opens up more of the screen. The controls can be custom-mapped or you can download pre-made control schemes direct of Nvidia. It's a very PC-friendly nod to customization that is much appreciated.

You can check out the Gamepad Mapper process in the video below.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On
TOPICS
Latest in Hardware
A woman wearing a VR headset with dramatic, colourful lighting across the background
'World’s smallest LEDs' could lead to accurately lit screens with 127,000 pixels per inch and much more immersive VR
The NES themed 8BitDo Retro mechanical gaming keyboard on a blue background
I love the 8BitDo Retro C64 keyboard but I'd pick its cheaper NES-themed model near its lowest price ever during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
The snazzy red and black HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headphones float in a teal void. The microphone is attached to the headset.
The best wireless gaming headset is now even better in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, boasting a more than $50 discount
A chip being held up in an Intel fab
Intel is reportedly 'working to finalize commitments from Nvidia' as a foundry partner, suggesting gaming potential for the 18A node
Amazon box
Don't panic! The 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' option Amazon just removed was only used by 0.03% of customers and they can still have it
Digital generated image of people surrounded by interactive transparent and glowing panels with data. Visualising smart technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence
Now I shall demand the cookies! Proposed new browsing agreement turns the tables and lets users dictate terms to websites
Latest in News
Image of Ronaldo from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer
It doesn't really make sense that soccer star Ronaldo is now a Fatal Fury character, but if you follow the money you can see how it happened
Junah beginning a battle in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Today's RPG fans are 'very sensitive to feeling like they wasted time' when they die, says Metaphor: ReFantazio battle planner—but Atlus still made combat hard anyway
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'