Despite earlier rumors that the Shield series would not see Android 8, Nvidia is currently working on getting Shield TV updated towards Android TV version 8 Oreo. A specific introduction date was not shared just yet, but it is coming.
Really the Shield series is a gift that keeps on giving, as even the 2015 model would get the new Oreo update (try that with your Samsung smartphone eh?). Albeit nothing was announced this year regarding the popular shield series, this news has now been confirmed.
For those that use the Shield TV as Media player and/or HTPC (yes all 99% of you), you’d already know that automatic switching of refresh rates in apps like Kodi / SPMC, between say a 24 Hz and 50 Hz video is already available for like a year or so, as well as the ability to switch Full HD and Ultra HD and support for HDR10. However, it isn’t possible to switch actively between color space like BT709 for SDR and BT2020 for HDR videos within say KODI. Word out on the street is that this actually is a new feature that will get supported, and a lot of color purists will like that as they do not have to up or down-convert their say BT2020 setup to a lower color-space. Currently, this simply isn’t possible in Android N, and with O it is. Nvidia has not been very clear IF they will implement it, but the rumor is that they will do so.
When Android O reaches the Shield devices through an OTA update is unknown, the indications are however soon than later as a spokesman from Nvidia mentioned he wanted to demo Oreo at CES, but it wasn’t finished just yet.
Good stuff.
