NVIDIA nTeresting Newsletter - 15 October 2012

In this Issue:

· The Lenovo Yoga 11 enters the Windows RT race as the third NVIDIA-based entry for this cool new version of Windows.

· Need WHQL drivers for Windows 8? NVIDIA has them well before launch.

· T3 Magazine's T3 Gadget Awards were heavy on the Tegra.

· ShadowGun: DeadZone has hit Open Beta via TegraZone.

· Borderlands 2 is getting great reviews. They are even better with PhysX.

And Lenovo Make Three for Windows RT

Another NVIDIA-powered Windows RT device was introduced last week, this time it was Lenovo making news with the Yoga 11, which may be one of the year's most innovative PCs.

"Since Windows RT comes with Office 2013 home and student and the Yoga promises 13 hours of battery life - a bit less with Wi-Fi on - this could be the ultimate all-day PC for students."

The Lenovo Yoga 11 is the world's 1st multimode notebook with a unique 360°flip design. It has 4 unique modes to provide flexible using scenarios thanks to a patented 360°dual hinge design.

"Unlike more common designs with swiveling or detachable displays, the Yoga works not only in tablet and laptop modes, but also at points in between in "tent" or "stand" modes for viewing content."

The Tegra 3 mobile processor provides the necessary muscle,

"It will have a Tegra 3 processor, which is the first time Windows RT will get a quad core processor."

But it does so efficiently. That's because Tegra 3 dynamically switches between lower power for everyday apps - like emails and messaging - and full quad-core processing for more demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and navigating 3D maps.

"It packs the NVIDIA Tegra 3 inside to drive things along. The power-stingy processor allows Lenovo to quote a full 13 hours of battery life on a charge."

The Lenovo Yoga 11 is the third official Windows RT system that will be powered by an NVIDIA processor.

Win 8 Drivers Already WHQLed

Windows 8 does not launch until October 26th. But NVIDIA has already released our Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) drivers for Windows 8. NVIDIA released its final set of WHQL certified GeForce drivers in preparation for the launch of Windows 8 later this month.

"More importantly, the new GeForce 306.97 WHQL driver is recommended for the launch of Windows 8 operating system, which is set to be publicly unveiled in late October."

This driver marks the third set of WHQL-certified drivers posted on GeForce.com in advance of the launch of Windows 8, but they hold improvements beyond Windows 8 for GeForce customers.

"Continuing their 304 Series drivers, NVIDIA has just released their 306.97 driver update for desktops and laptops. Along with updated SLI and 3D Vision profiles for a few games, the driver notes specifically call out improved support for Borderlands 2 and World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. The new drivers come just under a month after the last WHQL release, the 306.23 drivers."

Download the new GeForce 306.97 drivers for Windows 8 from GeForce.com.

Tegra Devices Takeover T3 Gadget Awards

Earlier his week the T3 2012 Gadget Awards winners were revealed and Tegra 3 devices were found in nearly every corner! The ASUS Transformer Prime took home the T3 Design Award while the popular Google Nexus 7 landed a pair of honors in Gadget of the Year and Tablet of the Year categories.

ASUS took home Tech Brand of the Year, thanks in part to their strong Tegra lineup:

"Asus has certainly had a stellar year, but it was the 7 inch tablet made in conjunction with Google - the Google Nexus 7 that picked up the night's most important award and the Tablet of the Year title."

"Showing that you can find a decent, high-powered tablet with a great screen at a sub-£200 price point, Google has truly shaken up the tablet market this year.... Google can concentrate on offering NVIDIA Tegra 3 power, a 1280 x 800 display and the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS."

ShadowGun: DeadZone Fires Exclusively for Tegra 3

Gamers with itchy trigger fingers and Tegra 3-powered devices are being invited to engage in multiplayer FPS action as ShadowGun: DeadZone has hit Open Beta and is now available on Google Play. Madfinger Games - the acclaimed studio responsible for TegraZone hits such as Dead Trigger - is looking to improve on the DeadZone experience prior to launch and is leaning on Tegra 3 gamers, exclusively, for support.

Marek Rabas, CEO of Madfinger Games details why they went with Tegra 3 devices as a requirement to help improve their game: "With the Beta Test we wanted to achieve results that could best help us. By working closely with the NVIDIA team and the Tegra 3 technology itself, we are able to Beta test SHADOWGUN: DEADZONE very efficiently which will help us provide an amazing gaming experience at launch."

The Open Beta has caused a stir amongst press, as they pile up the kills against each other, leaving them saying:

"It's looking gorgeous and running fine, as far as I could tell."

"Looks pretty awesome right? Running on our Tegra 3 powered Transformer Prime everything was quite smooth."

"With your massive amount of destructive tools on-hand and a perfectly playable iteration out right this second, you'll have to stop yourself every once in a while and write down your thoughts - you'll get lost in the destruction if you don't."

"Anyone looking for some action-packed multiplayer action should go download this immediately and try and find me in a lobby. Good luck trying to win though."

The game is slated for full release in the coming weeks, so be sure to check out TegraZone for updates on ShadowGun: DeadZone and other new Tegra-optimized games like Sumioni and Razor Salvation.

Pandora Awaits!

Are you in the mood to play a game? If so, may we suggest Borderlands 2? The game is tracking to a stellar 88% score on Metacritic, and as true gamers already know, the game is best played on the PC! Featuring a nice combination of cell-style animation with a first-person shooter, Borderlands 2 supports NVIDIA PhysX technology making the game look and play much more realistic than its console counterparts.

Atomic Gamer calls the PhysX effects "truly impressive eye candy". They especially liked how the "liquids splash around, run down hills and pool at the bottom, particles fly out everywhere, flags and tarps blow in the wind and tear appropriately" too.

Gaming Examiner says with PhysX enabled, "the difference is astounding."

NVIDIA is in the business of helping to make games look good. But you already know that. And luckily, so do the folks at VG247.com, who heaped lavish praise on how Gearbox honored its promise to take care of PC gamers with Borderlands 2.

So, what are you waiting for? A trip to Pandora awaits you!