NVIDIA Shield

Gamestream, Game Mapper and fullscreen improvements in latest OTA

NVIDIA has released another over-the-air update for its Android-powered Shield gaming handheld. The NVIDIA Shield December update enhances some of the features added in the previous October update, enabling 1080p resolution with 60 frames per second in "Gamestream" console mode when connected over Ethernet, as well as improving 720p/60fps performance over Wifi. And Gamestream has also been expanded to support new PC titles such as Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Batman: Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4, and Call of Duty: Ghosts.

The Gamepad Mapper feature has been augmented too, with a "community profiles" feature (in beta) allowing Shield owners to share gamepad mapping profiles. Gyro input can now be mapped to the analog thumbsticks, and the right thumbstick has been improved for use in first-person titles.

Finally, fullscreen mode has been updated with the option to auto-hide the status bar, and view it with a swipe-down gesture (similar to Android 4.4's immersive mode). These settings can be controlled via the "Display" menu in the Settings app.

All in all, a pretty significant update for Shield owners. We've got the full changelog after the break.

GAMESTREAM improvements

  • Stream from your PC at up to 1080p @ 60 FPS in Console Mode when using Ethernet (via micro USB Ethernet adapter).
  • Improved PC streaming quality at 720p @ 60 FPS and Wi-Fi performance.

Gamepad Mapper improvements

  • New community profiles BETA feature – ability to share, browse, and rate gamepad mapping profiles.
  • Ability to map gyro simulation to analog thumbsticks with new “motion sensor” feature.
  • Improved right thumbstick features for first person perspective games that use touch swipes to look around.
  • New “accelerated cursor” option for joystick mouse mode.

Full-screen mode updates

  • Option to auto-hide status bar.
  • View status bar with a swipe down from the top of the screen.
  • Enable option from Settings > Display.