Graphics card giant Nvidia kicked off the new technology year with a bang Sunday when it unveiled an Android gaming system, "Shield."
The portable device is about the size of a standard video game controller, but comes with a 5-inch 720p touchscreen mounted on it. The It runs on a pure Android operating system. Games will be downloadable from Nvidia's "TegraZone" storefront and the Google Play store. According to the presentation, no retail games will be available. Exclusive games could be coming in the future, but none were announced at Sunday's presentation.
The handheld is the most powerful on the market, running on a Tegra 4 processor with 72 cores. The controller itself will feature common attributes, such as pressure-sensitive triggers, clickable sticks and similar features.
Downloaded games will be stored on micro SD cards. The presentation did not address what size of storage -- if any -- will come with the system at launch.
Players will be able to hook Shield up to their high-definition televisions via HDMI. An additional audio output is available and USB support comes standard. The presentation confirmed 4K definition support will come featured in the system, but its functionality was not addressed. The system can be used similar to a Wii U by displaying the game on a TV while using the mounted screen as a second display.
No price was announced, but Nvidia expects the system to be available some time in the second quarter -- between April and June.
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