If that is the case maybe they shouldn't have been so demanding about who designed the rest of the hardware.
I think they keep asking the wrong people to design their portable stuff.
The Nvidia Shield was clearly designed by someone into console gaming - and didn't care a bit about actual portability. It's a full sized console game controller with a screen tacked on like an afterthought.
Then they built a tablet that was designed by someone into tablet use - and didn't care a bit about actual gaming - then added a full sized game controller designed by someone who didn't care about portability.
Then they built a TV set top box with a full sized gaming controller - which is about right for the console gaming crowd, but it doesn't have the software support and game selection that someone expects for an attached to TV console.
So - Nvidia has had 3 strikes trying to use their SoC on their own. Maybe now they're more willing to let someone buy their SoCs and give it a go?
Here's the kicker, though - the Tegra 4 was designed and built around the same time as the OMAP 5. They were both released in Q2 of 2013.
"
Linux support[edit]
Nvidia distributes proprietary device drivers for Tegra through
OEMs and as part of its
"Linux for Tegra" (formerly "L4T") development kit. As of April 2012, due to different "business needs" from that of their
GeForce line of graphics cards, Nvidia and one of their Embedded Partners, Avionic Design GmbH from Germany, are also working on submitting
open source drivers for Tegra upstream to the mainline
Linux kernel.
[83][84] Nvidia co-founder & CEO laid out the Tegra processor roadmap using Ubuntu Unity in
GPU Technology Conference 2013.
[85]
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That was in 2013. I have never seen any Linux device using a Tegra SoC. Has anyone?