NVIDIA nTeresting Newsletter - 29 June, 2012

In this Issue:

· Just like Microsoft did, Google picks Tegra for their new tablet - enter the Nexus 7.

· Nabi 2 is a Tegra 3 tablet made especially for kids.

· Tegra hardware gets richer content via TegraZone.

· Max Payne 3 takes bullet time to a new level-in 3D.

Fast, Affordable and Delicious: Google Unveils the $199 Nexus 7 Jelly Bean Tablet with Tegra 3

After much anticipation and speculation, Google introduced the Nexus 7, the first $199 quad-core 7-inch tablet with the newest version of Android, Jelly Bean 4.1, and powered by Tegra 3.

The Nexus 7 uses NVIDIA's low-cost KAI platform to deliver a full-fledged tablet showcasing a premium experience and great battery life - all at an affordable price. Tegra 3's 4-PLUS-1 architecture helps the Nexus One excel at super-fast web browsing, console-quality gaming, seamless multitasking and flawless playback of HD movies and videos.

Press who checked out the Nexus 7 at Google I/O love it, and as one Engadget editor pointed out, "I can honestly say that this is the first Android slate that has me truly tempted to part with my own cash."

"Google's first Nexus tablet is a home run, besting the Kindle Fire and handily securing the position of the best budget 7-inch tablet."

"Google worked with ASUS and NVIDIA here to bring on a media beast like no other, offered at a price that, sold exclusively through the Google Play store online (for now), is almost undeniable."

"It's light, it's compact, and holy crap, it's faster than hell."

"The quad-core Tegra 3 processor with 12 core GPU is astounding on a device that costs £159 ($199 USD), offering class leading performance for Android."

"Swiping through home screens is just as speedy as on the HTC One X, and we found that loading videos and firing up apps suffered no lag whatsoever."

"Let's just say between the quad-core Tegra 3 processor and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, this is one of the best performing and smoothest devices I've ever used."

Consumers can get their taste of Jelly Bean and Tegra 3 now by preordering the Nexus 7 on Google Play .

Tegra Powered Nabi 2 is Child's Play

Tired of fighting your kids for you smart phone or finding your tablet's screen covered in sticky kid goo? Well then the Nabi 2 may be for you.

"What you're about to see is an Android-based NVIDIA Tegra 3-toting custom user interface-having powerhouse of a kids tablet going by the name Nabi 2. This device is made specifically for kids and kids only, it being shaped like a blob with rounded edges and indented sides all covered with an in-box rubbery case made for safety as well as unique style - and it's got customized Android software to match."

And at $199, it looks like Fuhu struck the right chord, with parents too.

"I think the Nabi 2 is a fantastic device that both kids and parents can get behind. I'm walking away from this review extremely impressed with not only the level of detail in the software, but the overall design, as well. Thus, if you want a device for your kids that's not only fun to use, but has some educational merit, this device is an excellent choice. And at only $199, you'll get a premium Android experience that won't break the bank."

Sound like fun? Then check out the videos on Slashgear.

Great Tegra Hardware Deserves Great Tegra Content

While the Google I/O Day 1 Keynote focused on the Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Google Winning the Internet; two Tegra games - Horn and Dead Trigger - made extended appearances, helping to showcase the Tegra 3 4-PLUS-1 quad-core packed 7" tablet.

The third-person action adventure game Horn is based loosely on the Old English tales of King Horn. A young blacksmith's apprentice named Horn wakes up to find his village overrun by large, fantastic and sometimes humorous monsters. It is revealed these creatures are actually the people and animals from your village transformed by a curse, and you alone have the power to free them. Along with Dead Trigger's first-person zombie-hunting, Horn led a number of sites to call serious attention to the Tegra 3 games demo stating:

"That includes the sort of graphics you might usually expect to find on a regular console or PS Vita."

"You may be able to replace your PS3 or Xbox 360 by hooking the slate up direct to your TV."

"Two very impressive games [Horn and Dead Trigger] were shown running on the Nexus 7. Just look at them."

You can read all about Horn, Dead Trigger and three new games - Beach Buggy Blitz, ExZeus II and Bladeslinger - debuting at the Google I/O Developer Sandbox in the NVIDIA blog. And be sure to keep an eye out on TegraZone as these games launch throughout the summer.

Bullet Time 3D

NVIDIA works closely with developers to make sure their games offer a great experience with the technology NVIDIA contributes to gaming. The latest title to benefit for our developer relations team is Rockstar's Max Payne 3. Max Payne 3 features a stunning single-player campaign, multiplayer, DirectX 11 effects, tessellation, and 3D Vision support. All that cool technology adds to the realism!

"I was actually glad that NVIDIA did not have a smell-o-vision technology perfected yet, for I was sure I would've vomited at every wretched turn during that chapter. I should know, I was born in a 3rd world slum and the shanty town in Max Payne 3 really looked inhabited thanks to the creative combination of smart tessellation, uncompromised high quality textures, level design and wildly varying NPC model and animation."

But what about Max Payne's famous bullet time?

"Everyone's favorite is, of course, the bullet time scenes, and landing multiple headshots after dodging a few bullets yourself is remarkably satisfying as you see them whizz past the screen."

Max Payne 3 is set to be one of the year's best PC games.

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