NVIDIA's 20th SHIELD TV Update Brings In-Game Chat, 120Hz Support And More

by Brandon Hill — Monday, September 10, 2018, 03:23 PM EDT

NVIDIA first launched its SHIELD TV over three years ago, and since that time, the company has continually updated the media streamer/game console to keep pace with the latest Android releases and to add new features. Keeping that trend going, NVIDIA has announced the 20^thupdate for SHIELD TV, which is called the SHIELD Software Experience Upgrade 7.1.

Loaded into the SHIELD Software Experience Upgrade 7.1 are a number of new features including in-game voice chat. This feature is incorporated into games available on GeForce NOW, and works with headsets that are connected via the 3.5mm headset jack that is built in to the wireless SHIELD controller. Fortnite is called out as one of the popular titles that supports this new in-game chat feature.

GeForce NOW titles also are gaining improved support for mouse and keyboard setups. Some of these updates include better, smoother mouse tracking, and keyboard shortcuts. And another addition to GeForce NOW will be Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which will give SHIELD TV owners the ability to play the game on release day (this is in addition to other upcoming releases like Monster Hunter: World and F1 2018).

Another big update is the inclusion of full support for 120Hz televisions and monitors, which has been long-requested by SHIELD TV owners. In another nod to addressing complaints of SHIELD TV owners, NVIDIA has a companion app for both Android and iOS that will make it easier to enter text with a virtual keyboard instead of hunting and pecking with the wireless controller.

Finally, NVIDIA Share is being brought back into the fold, which will allow you to capture screen shots and broadcast video footage to services like Twitch.

The NVIDIA Shield Software Experience Upgrade 7.1 is available now to download for SHIELD TV owners.

Tags: Nvidia, 120Hz, (nasdaq:nvda), shield tv

Brandon Hill

Brandon received his first PC, an IBM Aptiva 310, in 1994 and hasn’t looked back since. He cut his teeth on computer building/repair working at a mom and pop computer shop as a plucky teen in the mid 90s and went on to join AnandTech as the Senior News Editor in 1999. Brandon would later help to form DailyTech where he served as Editor-in-Chief from 2008 until 2014. Brandon is a tech geek at heart, and family members always know where to turn when they need free tech support. When he isn’t writing about the tech hardware or studying up on the latest in mobile gadgets, you’ll find him browsing forums that cater to his long-running passion: automobiles.

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