On Wednesday Nvidia's Jason Paul said in a blog that the upcoming Tegra 4-powered Android handheld gaming console, Shield, has been delayed until July. It was originally slated to ship on Thursday, June 27 (tomorrow).
"We’ve taken the hard decision to delay shipping until next month," he said. "The issue relates to a third-party mechanical component, and we’re working around the clock with the supplier to get it up to our expectations. We apologize to those who have preordered Shields and to all those who are waiting for them to go on sale."
Last week Nvidia reduced Shield's retail price point, dropping the cost from $349 down to $299. Jason Paul said the new price is in response to feedback the company received from gamers and the press who have fondled the device since it was first introduced back at CES 2013 in January.
"Feedback from gamers is why Shield’s triggers have the perfect throw length. Why Shield’s buttons have just the right amount of give. Why Shield’s thumb sticks are so satisfying to flick. Why playing games on Shield’s pure Android software feels so slick," said Paul.
News of the delay, which remains as a vague "July 2013" release, arrives after an apparent NDA has been lifted on a demonstration of using Shield to pilot Parrot's AR.Drone 2.0. A number of reports are now appearing online including our own written by Chris Angelini. The article's embedded video demos skilled piloting using a Shield-optimized version of the AR.Freeflight software.
"Shield’s five-inch screen is also where you see the camera’s 720p output, and where you’re able to start a recording. But the two joysticks take care of control," he reports. "The right stick is tasked with up/down and rotation, while the other one banks left/right and pitches forward/back."
Looks like we'll have to wait another month to sample Shield-powered AR.Drone in our back yards. Yeah, we feel the hurt too. Really.
