Nvidia Releases Marshmallow Update With Vulkan API For Shield Android TV

Nvidia has released an update for its Shield Android TV console. The ‘Shield Upgrade Experience 3.0’ consists of an upgrade to Android 6.0 and adds support for the Vulkan API, which provides access to deeper layers of graphics hardware.

Last week, Khronos announced the final specifications of the Vulkan API. The low level API gives direct access to deeper layers of graphics hardware, so that overhead can be reduced. In upcoming versions of Android, the Vulkan API is likely to play an important role, but Nvidia has already added Vulkan support to the Shield Android TV console.

Inside the Shield console is a Tegra X1 soc, with a GPU that is based on the same Maxwell design as the recent GPUs of Nvidia’s video cards for desktops and laptops. With the Vulkan API it is theoretically possible to get better performance from the chip.

The Vulkan support is part of the Shield Upgrade Experience 3.0, with which Nvidia also updates its Shield console to Android 6.0. This makes it possible, among other things, to use an SD memory card or external USB storage as internal storage for apps and games. Furthermore, it is now possible to set the RGB display to full range and when using 4K TVs, a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels with 60Hz can now be chosen.

The update also adds support for new Shield games, including Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Oddworld Munch’s Oddysee, Minecraft Story Mode, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. In addition, a number of Square Enix games will be added to the GeForce Now streaming service. Tomb Raider is available now and more games such as Sleeping Dogs and Quantum Conundrum will follow later.