It took Android devicemakers a very long time to commit to long-term update support. Samsung and Google have only recently decided to offer seven years of updates for their flagship Android devices, but a decade ago, you were lucky to get more than one or two updates on even the most expensive Android phones and tablets. How is it, then, that an Android-powered set-top box from 2015 is still going strong?
Nvidia released the first Shield Android TV in 2015, and according to the company’s senior VP of hardware engineering, Andrew Bell, supporting these devices has been a labor of love. And the team at Nvidia still loves the Shield. Bell assures us that Nvidia has never given up, even when it looked like support for the Shield was waning, and it doesn’t plan to stop any time soon.
The soul of Shield
Gaming has been central to Nvidia since its start, and that focus gave rise to the Shield. “Pretty much everybody who worked at Nvidia in the early days really wanted to make a game console,” said Bell, who has worked at the company for 25 years.
This is a fascinating look at Nvidia’s commitment to long-term updates for the Shield TV. It’s impressive to see how they have prioritized keeping their device current in such a rapidly evolving market. Kudos to them for setting a strong example!
It’s impressive how Nvidia has prioritized software support in a market often focused on hardware. This commitment not only enhances user experience but also sets a precedent for other manufacturers to follow suit. Consistent updates can significantly extend the lifespan of devices, which is something many consumers value.