NVIDIA's SHIELD Tablet K1 is receiving a major update today

These days, tablets tend to be more budget-priced affairs aimed at casual consumers and leisurely luxuries. This is all the more reason a product like NVIDIA’s SHIELD Tablet K1 stand out: it’s made especially for mobile gamers – and even some PC ones, and won’t break the bank, to boot. Today NVIDIA announced that a new update is available for download which will make the device even better.

First and foremost, the update – known as Software Upgrade 1.2 – bumps the Android OS version to Marshmallow 6.0.1. The device had originally received Marshmallow 6.0 at the end of last year, but this new point-update, in addition to enabling Doze for better power optimization and down-state management, also includes:

• Repositioned Navigation Buttons in Landscape mode & Updated Emojis
• Double Tap Power Button to launch SHIELD Camera app
• Do Not Disturb Until Next Alarm

That’s not all however, as NVIDIA has baked in much more as the new build:

• Supports the new Vulkan™ API for high-efficiency access to SHIELD’s graphics hardware
• Adds USB MIDI support
• Adds memory compression enhancement
• Improved Wi-Fi connectivity when waking from sleep
• Fixed Compass functionality
• Fixed Gamepad Mapper issues
• Fixed issues with moving apps to SD card
• Fixed Doom 3 HDMI output issue
• Has a repositioned Lasso Capture icons in landscape mode
• Increases security with Android 6.0 Security Patch Level March 1, 2016
• Provides overall stability and security enhancements

The update should be making its way to devices now, but please note as is often the case with updates, it may be some days or weeks before it’s pushed to your device. One option to “force” the system to check for the new firmware is to hit “Check for Updates” in the Settings, About Device menu.

Are you running an NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1? Have you already received the new software update? Leave your comments below and share with everyone!