NVIDIA Updates SHIELD

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Reportedly, NVIDIA’s (NVDA) SHIELD portable gaming device will now enable gamers to stream PC games to their television sets in 1080p (high definition video). Previously, the handheld gaming console could only stream PC games at 720p. The latest software update from NVIDIA enables streaming by using SHIELD’s console mode through a wired Ethernet connection.

The streaming feature, GameStream, introduced by NVIDIA in October and boasting high definition video will attract gamers and is expected to boost holiday sales of the company. Moreover, popular games such as Ubisoft’s Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and EA’s (EA) Battlefield 4 can be played through SHIELD. Reportedly, 63 games are currently available for streaming through SHIELD and more titles are expected to be added, going forward.

The current software update also improves SHIELD’s Gamepad Mapper feature, which will now allow any touch-based Android title to be played through SHIELD's analog controller inputs.

Although SHIELD is yet to attain the same level of acceptance and popularity as portable gaming devices from peers such as Sony and Nintendo, the new features and compatibility with popular games will likely make an impact this holiday season.

Moreover, robust performance of NVIDIA’s Tegra processors in the near term will help it to generate incremental revenues. In the last-reported quarter, the Tegra segment recorded strong performance due to the shipment of Tegra 4 processors to 15 mobile device manufacturers including Hewlett Packard (HPQ), Microsoft (MSFT), Asus, Toshiba and Acer to name a few.

However, the continuous decline in PC sales does not help NVIDIA’s GPU business. Competition from the likes of Intel and QUALCOMM, and higher operating expenses are also expected to hurt profitability in the near term.

Currently, NVIDIA carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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