Nvidia readies new Android/PC games machine

Nvidia is to launch a new gaming device that can link up to a PC's graphics card to supercharge its own processing power when used in a different location, the BBC has learned.

The company will offer a budget-priced separate controller for the Android device, which can also stream PC games to a TV via its HDMI-out port.

That may pose a challenge to the forthcoming Steam Machine games PCs.

But analysts note that Nvidia's earlier Shield handheld console has struggled.

"I think it's fair to say that Shield sold reasonably poorly," said Ed Barton, a games industry analyst at the consultancy Ovum, who has now seen the new device.

"And if the new device requires your PC to have a relatively new Nvidia GPU [graphics processing unit] to make use of its abilities, that will really limit its addressable market."

The BBC understands the device will run PC titles via Nvidia's GeForce Experience system, which does require the PC to be fitted with one of Nvidia's more powerful graphics cards.

It will, however, be able to run Android games natively via Nvidia's new Tegra K1 chip.

:story: BBC News