We’re announcing today new capabilities and new content for our SHIELD tablet, coming with a major software update.

Android 5.0 Lollipop; a new bundle that includes one of the best games of all time, “Half-Life 2: Episode One”; and our new GRID on-demand gaming service – which includes more than 20 AAA titles – all highlight a major upgrade for our SHIELD tablet, rolling out a few months after its initial launch.

Powered by our 192-core Tegra K1 chip, SHIELD tablet has wowed gamers and consumers with its unique blend of performance, value and serious gaming chops. Several media have named it one of the top tablets to consider on their holiday gift guides and buying lists.

And we’re announcing three major updates that make the SHIELD tablet that much sweeter.

Staying Sweet

With SHIELD tablet, you’ll benefit from our commitment to have the latest and greatest software for your device.

And that’s the case with the newest version of Android. NVIDIA engineers are bringing the new Android 5.0 Lollipop to SHIELD on Nov. 18. That’ll make it one of the first tablets with Lollipop, and it will feature a new “material design” interface and improved app performance.

Also included in the update: SHIELD tablet’s preloaded Dabbler app. Besides a new interface inspired by Lollipop’s material design language, our painting software will offer full support for layers, and users can now share live Dabbler sessions over Twitch.

Half-Life 2: Episode One Comes to Mobile

One of the best games of all time – the iconic Half-Life 2: Episode One from Valve – is coming to mobile, optimized for Tegra K1 and exclusively on SHIELD tablet.

It will be part of a “Green Box,” bundled for free with the 32GB/LTE version of the SHIELD tablet. The bundle also includes Half-Life 2and Portal, two amazing games Valve already brought to the SHIELD platform.

Also look for four new SHIELD-optimized games available through Google Play:

OddWorld: Stranger’s Wrath – a drifter turned bounty hunter is set loose in this sprawling action-adventure game.

a drifter turned bounty hunter is set loose in this sprawling action-adventure game. Pure Pool – superb visual effects and multi-player action make for a sophisticated take on a virtual pool hall.

superb visual effects and multi-player action make for a sophisticated take on a virtual pool hall. Strike Suit Zero – Born Ready Games’ space combat game features sprawling space battles gamers can experience on SHIELD’s 8-inch display or big-screen TVs.

Born Ready Games’ space combat game features sprawling space battles gamers can experience on SHIELD’s 8-inch display or big-screen TVs. Turbo Dismount – The legendary crash simulator is now on Android, with smooth full resolution 4x MSAA visuals on SHIELD tablet.

GRID Serves Up Amazing PC Games to SHIELD

Netflix for games? You bet.

We’re also announcing our GRID gaming service.

Netflix and Spotify have revolutionized how we enjoy movies and music.

With GRID, we’re bringing the convenience and variety of streaming to video games.

By connecting to state-of-the-art NVIDIA GPU servers, the GRID service delivers a GeForce GTX gaming experience on SHIELD devices.

The GRID service will be available in North America this month, western Europe in December and Asia next year.

GRID already includes 20 AAA gaming titles, including Batman: Arkham City, Borderlands 2 and Psychonauts, with new games coming every week (see “Netflix for Games: NVIDIA Launches GRID Game Streaming Service; Free for SHIELD Users Until July,” for all the details).

GRID will be free on the SHIELD tablet and SHIELD portable through June 30, 2015.

Where to Get It

SHIELD tablet is available in the U.S. at shield.nvidia.com, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H Photo, Fry’s Electronics, GameStop, Micro Center, Newegg, ThinkGeek and Tiger Direct.

In Canada, you’ll find it at Canada Computers, iGet.it, Memory Express and NCIX.

In Europe, SHIELD tablet is available at many top e-tailers and listed on the local NVIDIA “Where to Buy” section. It is also available in Russia and Japan.