Nvidia announced the release of an update to Shield Android TV with the launch of Android 6.0 Marshmallow and next-generation Vulkan graphics API.
The rollout is now available as an OTA software upgrade, which the company first hinted at the CES event. Apart from bringing Marshmallow, the update also offers a number of upgrades and improvements for the Shield Android TV.
"Today, Nvidia is equipping Android developers with fully conformant Vulkan drivers just one week after the specifications launched," says Nvidia in a blog post.
Nvidia also says that Vulkan is launching a future Android version that would deliver new types of interactive user experiences.
One of the highlights brought by the Vulkan API update that consumers can look forward to is the Maxwell GPU in Shield Android TV, which is one of the modern graphics hardware available in the market today. According to Nvidia, Vulkan is a creation of experts who come from varying industries and are collaborating under the Khronos Group.
The Android 6.0 Marshmallow brought by the update also brings a slew of exciting features. These include home screen customization and upgrade-ready storage, a quicker way to access the power menu on the home screen, switching seamlessly between the Netflix app's headset audio and its surround sound, wireless Shield controller support while USB charging is being performed, enhanced color support for the video playback of YUV 4:2:0, customization options such as setting 1,080p 60 Hz resolution on Ultra HD TVs and setting RGB Full Range, CEC volume control and enhanced Denon receivers support.
The Shield TV is arguably one of the winning Android TV devices that has ever been made. Known to deliver a better experience compared to Razer Forge TV and the Nexus Player combined, Nvidia's latest update definitely enhances Shield, allowing it to continue impressing its users.
The company also announced the availability of new Android titles that come with the update. These include Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Minecraft Story Mode, Dead Effect 2, Oddworld Munch's Oddysee, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Real Racing 3.
GeForce Now is also getting a slew of titles from Square Enix. While Tomb Raider is already available, titles such as Quantum Conundrum, Sleeping Dogs, Murdered: Soul Suspect and Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light are also bound to launch soon.
