Inside Nvidia's 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever

Nvidia's 10-year commitment to the Shield TV has been a labor of love for the company. The first Shield device was released in 2015, and Nvidia never gave up on it, even when support seemed waning. Senior VP of hardware engineering Andrew Bell says that Nvidia built Shield "for ourselves," wanting a high-quality TV streamer that wasn't tied to Apple's ecosystem.

The Shield's focus has shifted over the years, from gaming to streaming. The original model had a heavy gaming focus, but subsequent refreshes prioritized media consumption. Despite this shift, Nvidia remains committed to the device, supporting it with bug fixes and occasional new features.

Update support for Internet-connected devices is crucial, as devices fall out of sync with platform features when updates cease. Nvidia decided to make Shield TV for a long time, with Jensen Huang saying "as long as we shall live." This commitment has allowed the Shield to stay up-to-date with Android versions, currently on 11.

The company's dedication has paid off, as the Shield has surpassed even Samsung and Google in terms of update support. In February 2025, Nvidia released Shield Patch 9.2, which fixed a security vulnerability that had been a concern for years.

Nvidia continues to manufacture older Shield models due to consistent sales, with over $200 million in annual revenue attributed to the 2019 Shield Pro model alone. The company has shown no signs of stopping production or updates, and is likely to release new hardware in the future.

Future upgrades could include support for newer video formats like VP9 Profile 2, AV1, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision profiles. A revamped remote control might also be on the horizon, with a smaller Netflix button being an attractive possibility.

In a rare move for a tech giant, Nvidia has stated its intention to continue supporting the Shield TV, rather than letting it fade into obscurity. This level of commitment is unparalleled in the industry and speaks to Nvidia's dedication to customer satisfaction and long-term product support.

This whole thing with Nvidia and their Shield TV is like a textbook example of how a company can take a risk on a product and still come out on top . I mean, think about it, in 2015, nobody knew if streaming devices were gonna be the next big thing. But Nvidia stuck to it, poured resources into it, and now they're reaping the rewards .

It's like they say, "if you build it, they will come." And boy, have they ever . The fact that they've been able to keep up with Android updates for so long is a testament to their commitment to customer satisfaction. I mean, can you imagine if Apple had done the same thing? Game over .

This level of dedication from Nvidia is also telling us something about the future of consumer electronics. Are we gonna see more companies following in their footsteps and investing in products that may not be as trendy at first, but could still yield huge rewards down the line? Only time will tell, but for now, I'm loving the Shield TV's success story .

idk why they're still supporting shield tv after all these years ... i mean its cool that they dont wanna leave us high & dry, but a 10 year committment feels kinda excessive? plus, how much does it cost em to keep producing & updating old hardware? it's not like they can just let the whole thing die off and move on to new projects. still, i guess its good for us consumers that we have options & dont have to worry about our devices just magically getting left behind... so, yeah, kudos to nvidia for their dedication!

I think its pretty cool that Nvidia is still keeping Shield alive after all these years ! Its been a labor of love for them, I reckon, 'cause they built it from scratch and didn't want Apple to have a monopoly on streaming devices . And y'know what's even more impressive? They keep supportin' it with bug fixes and new features like a pro ! Its not just about the money either, they're willin' to stick around for the long haul which is really admirable .

I mean, can you believe Nvidia is still pushing out updates for the Shield TV after 10 years? It's wild that they built it themselves, just to create a device that isn't Apple-controlled... I guess that's what sets them apart from Samsung and Google . The fact that they're making over $200 million off older models is insane . But seriously, update support is key, and Nvidia's dedication is refreshing . A new remote control with a smaller Netflix button would be a nice touch, but I'm not holding my breath... still, it's great to see them sticking by the Shield TV, even if some features are kinda lagging behind .

I think this commitment from Nvidia is pretty cool ... I mean, they could've easily abandoned the Shield years ago, but they kept pushing forward . It's awesome that they're still making older models and keeping them up-to-date with Android versions . It shows they really care about their customers and want to make sure everyone can keep using it smoothly . Plus, it's impressive how much revenue the Shield is generating for them - over $200 million a year is no joke ! I'd love to see some updates on video formats and remote controls in the future ... maybe they'll even add a Netflix button that doesn't require us to click through 5 menus . It's just nice to see a company prioritize customer satisfaction like this .

I'm loving this news ! 10 years on, and Nvidia's still pushing out updates like crazy . I mean, you can't beat a company that puts its money where its mouth is, you know? They're like the ultimate gamers (and streamers!) - always looking for ways to improve their setup without getting tied down by Apple's ecosystem .

And let's be real, Shield TV's had some amazing updates over the years . I mean, who needs a fancy gaming console when you can have a streaming powerhouse that can handle everything from Netflix to YouTube? It's crazy how far they've come from that first launch in 2015 .

But what really gets me is that Nvidia's not just stopping at Shield TV - they're thinking about the future . With all these new video formats and features coming down the pipe, I'm stoked to see where this takes us . Maybe we'll even get a revamped remote control with some sick Netflix buttons . Can't wait to see what's next!

I gotta say, 10 years is a looong time to be supporting one device! Nvidia's commitment to Shield TV is super admirable, especially when you consider how tech companies usually drop old products like hot potatoes after a few years. The fact that they're still updating the thing with new features and security patches is just crazy! It's also impressive to see how well their updates keep up with Android versions - currently on 11, no less! I'm curious to see what's in store for future upgrades, like better video formats or a revamped remote control. The $200 million annual revenue from the Shield Pro model is no joke either! It just goes to show that when you create something with love and care, it can really pay off in the long run.

I'm so stoked to see Nvidia giving Shield TV the love for another 10 years ! It's crazy to think about how far they've come since 2015, from gaming to streaming, but it just goes to show that their commitment to innovation is real . I mean, who else would commit to updating a device as old as 11? It's like they want to make sure everyone has access to the latest and greatest, even if they're not the newest thing on the block .

And let's be real, the numbers are insane . $200 million in revenue from just one model is crazy! I'm guessing they'll keep making those older models because people still love them (who doesn't love a good deal? ). New features like VP9 Profile 2 and Dolby Vision profiles would be amazing, and a revamped remote control wouldn't go amiss either .

I think what really gets me is how Nvidia's commitment to Shield TV reflects their dedication to customer satisfaction . It's not just about selling products; it's about building relationships with people who care about the tech they use. That's what sets them apart, and I'm all for it .

I'm lovin' this news about Nvidia and their Shield TV ! 10 years is a long time, but they've kept it alive and kickin', with consistent updates and bug fixes . It's awesome that they're committed to supporting it, even when other devices are getting left behind . The numbers don't lie - $200 million in annual revenue from the 2019 Shield Pro model is crazy! And now we're hoping for new features like VP9 Profile 2 and a revamped remote control . I'm so down for more Netflix buttons ! Nvidia's dedication to customer satisfaction is truly admirable. They're showing us that even the big guys can care about their customers . Keep it up, Nvidia!