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Original NVIDIA Shield Tablet gets Marshmallow, K1 update fixes bugs & adds stylus support

After a voluntary recall of the first SHIELD Tablet, NVIDIA came back last fall with a refreshed and cheaper SHIELD Tablet K1. The K1 is receiving an update today that addresses bugs and adds back hardware functionality, while the original SHIELD Tablet is finally getting updated to Marshmallow.

The SHIELD Tablet K1 received Marshmallow last month and today’s update fixes issues that led to increased power consumption, Wi-Fi connectivity problems, and other crashes. As part of getting the K1 down to $199, NVIDIA physically removed the stylus slot on the device and initially removed software support for it. This update brings it back and returns support for the touch pad on the SHIELD controller. Additionally, it also brings the January Security Patch to the device.

This update for SHIELD tablet K1 contains important system enhancements & bug fixes, including:

  • Optimized behavior of legacy apps that lead to instances of increased power consumption
  • Improvements to Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Fixed crashes in Performance, Power, and Display settings
  • Fixed crashes in Gamepad Mapper
  • Fixed Doom 3 not launching
  • Added back SHIELD controller touch pad functionality
  • Added support for Stylus Lasso Capture functionality
  • Update to Android 6.0 Security Patch Level January 2016
  • Fixes to App Optimization feature

The original SHIELD Tablet is getting a bigger update from Lollipop to Marshmallow. All the Android 6.0 features like Doze, Now on Tap, and improved app permissions are present, as well as a Material Design update of the tablet’s camera app with a burst mode and new real-item image effects. NVIDIA recommends that those who use a microSD card first back it up due to the new way Marshmallow handles external storage. Users of both devices can go to Settings to update their devices now.

This update for SHIELD Tablet upgrades the Operating System to Android version 6.0

NVIDIA SHIELD Camera

  • New UI inspired by Material Design, improved burst photo functionality
  • Adds new real-time HD Image Effects

Now on Tap

  • Quickly find information related to what you are seeing on the screen, also from inside an app

New Adoptable Storage

  • MicroSD cards can be integrated with main internal storage, auto managed by system

User Interface Upgrades

  • Personalize Home & Lock screens with different wallpapers, new NVIDIA wallpapers
    Personalize Quick Settings menu, add/remove, rearrange toggles
    Google Now voice commands can be launched from lock screen

Improved App Permissions

  • Permissions are now managed centrally

Power Consumption

  • App Standby power improvements
  • New App Optimization feature
  • Improved BT Low Energy scanning power efficiency

System wide improvements including

  • Monitor Memory Usage with detailed usage of each app
  • Improvements to WiFi Connectivity
  • Optimized preloaded apps
  • Update to Android 6.0 Security Patch Level January 2016

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY USING A MICROSD CARD IN THIS SHIELD TABLET:

  • In Android 6.0 there are changes to how expanded storage works. After this upgrade, there will be 2 ways to setup the MicroSD card, please read carefully:
    Portable Storage: This option will not delete data from the SD card.
    Internal Storage: This option wipes all data from the SD card. If you are currently storing data the SD card, please make sure it is first backed up
  • NVIDIA recommends to back up the MicroSD card prior to downloading this update

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com