NVIDIA is a well-known GPU and processor maker that made a name for itself making a wide variety of desktop graphics cards for years, but also got into the mobile game with its consumer electronics-focused Tegra chipsets starting as early as 2009.
Its first well-known ARM chip, the dual-core Tegra 2, was announced for availability in the beginning of 2010, which saw minimal adoption in some tablets and phones. Tegra 3, announced in 2012, was the next generation quad-core chip from NVIDIA and sported improved performance but still failed to gain any mass adoption in the smartphone market. Tegra 4 came in 2013, with more adoption in larger devices like tablets, set top boxes and hybrid laptop-style devices. It also powered NVIDIA's first handheld device, the Shield Portable. Announced in 2014, the Tegra K1 is the latest and greatest from NVIDIA, with a 192-core GPU and a Kepler architecture borrowed from its higher-end graphics chips.
Several device makers, including HTC, Microsoft, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Dell, ASUS, Toshiba and Xiaomi and have used NVIDIA chips over time in various devices, however NVIDIA has still had trouble getting mass adoption of its mobile chipsets. It has generally been relegated to specific niche high-powered devices while Qualcomm continues to dominate the majority of the high-end Android handset space.
NVIDIA began making its own Android-powered consumer electronic devices in 2013 with the launch of the Shield Portable (then simply "NVIDIA Shield"), a handheld gaming device that introduced a previously-unseen form factor for Android devices and packing a powerful set of internals including a Tegra 4 processor. In the summer of 2014 NVIDIA followed that up with the Shield Tablet, a gaming-focused device that had more aspirations of being an all-around tablet for some, but with plenty of gaming potential packing the Tegra K1 192-core processor.
Though it hasn't seen the widespread success in the mobile space as it has in the desktop computing arena, NVIDIA continues to produce interesting processors, graphics chips and devices that are continually in the mobile conversation.
Latest about Nvidia
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Cyberpunk 2077 and Chromebook Plus are about to take over Times Square
City of Dreams Ever since the Chromebook Plus branding was unveiled, it opened the door for better marketing. In a few days, Google, NVIDIA, and CD Projekt Red have something mysterious and exciting to show off.
We're probably stuck with integrated graphics on Chromebooks, and that kind of sucks
Adios NVIDIA Unless AMD comes out of nowhere and "saves the day," any plans have been dashed for those wanting a Chromebook with a built-in and dedicated graphics card.
Future Chromebooks to reportedly feature Nvidia RTX GPUs
2023 might be the year when we expect a dedicated gaming Chromebook powered with Nvidia GPUs.
MediaTek rumored to bring Nvidia GPUs to future chips
Sounds like what Samsung did with AMD to bring Radeon-powered GPUs to Exynos SoCs.
NVIDIA Shield TV is losing one of its best gaming features in 2023
The GameStream service will no longer be available in the app; instead, Shield owners can utilize an alternative Steam link.
NVIDIA Shield TV update brings a ton of bug fixes for audio, storage and more
NVIDIA has rolled out a new Android TV update to all Shield TV devices, including new power controls and a long list of bug fixes.
GeForce Now: Everything you need to know
NVIDIA GeForce Now is the company's streaming platform based on the revolutionary concept of allowing players to stream the PC games that they already own on different storefronts.
Check out the list of GeForce Now compatible devices
With NVIDIA's GeForce Now officially out of beta, players will begin joining the service quickly. If you're wondering what devices work with the games streaming service, we've got you covered.
Top 8 things Android Central staff bought themselves on Prime Day 2022
Prime Day is coming to a close. Find out what items the Android Central staff purchased — they may surprise you.
Watch 4K movies or use AI-enhanced upscaling on old ones with $30 off NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
Watch videos in 4K HDR or upscale older movies and TV shows to look better on your new TV. The NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro can even stream PC games from the cloud or your gaming PC.
Samsung confirms that the Gaming Hub launch schedule has not changed
Samsung has denied reports claiming that its planned summer launch of the Gaming Hub has been delayed.
Nvidia has reportedly scrapped its $40 billion acquisition of Arm
After a few years of battling regulatory opposition due to competition concerns, Nvidia has reportedly abandoned its $40 billion purchase of Arm from SoftBank.
AT&T 5G users can get a 6-month NVIDIA GeForce Now Priority subscription for free
New and current AT&T 5G subscribers can get six free months of NVIDIA GeForce Now Priority for free with a new special offer.
Google Pixel 6 Pro picks up GeForce Now's fancy game streaming feature
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Is the NVIDIA Shield TV still worth buying in 2022?
With the NVIDIA Shield TV (2019), you get a new and sleeker design, along with improved internals along with all of the benefits of Android TV.
Nvidia's efforts to further consolidate the industry by purchasing Arm are all but dead
As much as I want to see Nvidia refine and license its core ML designs, I think we might have dodged a bullet with this one.
The FTC really doesn't want NVIDIA to buy Arm, sues to block merger
The FTC has filed a suit to block NVIDIA's proposed $40 acquisition of Arm, saying the merger would threaten Arm's licensing model.
