Graphics hardware maker unveils Android-based handheld game streamer

When I went to bed last night, I knew that I'd wake up to some news as the Consumer Electronics Show press conference train had started to roll. You never know what you're going to see, but I'll admit this one caught me by surprise.

Nvidia has taken the wraps off  "Project SHIELD," and Android-based handheld device, controller-inclusive, that streams games running on your PC. As an Android device, it also runs any Google Play apps you may already own, as well.

Of course coming from Nvidia, the device uses their latest mobile GPU in the Tegra 4 which powers the local multi-touch display as well as the ability to wirelessly display the action on your big-screen TV. In case you didn't catch that, this now means you can get PC games onto your living room screen without the fuss and muss it normally requires.

Now, there have been other PC games streaming services, such as Onlive and Gaikai, but those operate in the cloud across the Internet as opposed to your local network with games you already own.

No word yet on the cost of this new little wonder-box, but it's scheduled to be available in the second quarter of 2013.

What do you think, ZAMmers? Is this something that you'd plunk down some cash for? 

Keep it locked on ZAM all week to learn about other breaking game-related goodies that make their way out of CES in Las Vegas.

Bill "Lethality" Leonard

Source: Forbes

Via: Eurogamer