NVIDIA has confirmed a July 31st launch and shipping date for their new handheld mobile console the SHIELD–according to the release pre-ordered customers can rejoice as the delay is over. Originally intended to launch earlier, NVIDIA delayed the release due to problems with one of the components in the device.

The Android-based handheld was originally expected to launch on June 27. However, Nvidia moved the release date at the last minute, citing an unspecified mechanical issue with the device.

“Some final quality-assurance testing has just turned up a mechanical issue that we’re not happy with. So, while we announced last week that SHIELD will go on sale this Thursday, we’ve taken the hard decision to delay shipping until next month. The issue relates to a third-party mechanical component, and we’re working around the clock with the supplier to get it up to our expectations,” wrote Nvidia in an email at the time.

SHIELD uses the fourth-generation Tegra processor, which includes four main processing ARM Cortex-A15 cores and GeForce graphics controller with 72 cores. On the bottom half of the housing unit gaming controls is located, while on top resides a 5-inch multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. The console is endowed with 16 GB of internal memory, 2 GB of RAM, stereo speakers, wireless adapters, Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth 3.0, receiver GPS navigation system, gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer and a slot for micro SD. It is powered by Android Jelly Bean operating system.

The unique selling point of the console is has a built-in display to play advanced games while on the go. This way it has an upper hand compared to GameStick and Ouya because these worked only when plugged into a separate display.

“Nvidia is a well-known and well-respected video card manufacturer for PC,” says Kyt Dotson, SiliconAngle assistant editor; “with the advent of the SHIELD–no doubt made possible by the Android OS for mobile devices–they may even be able to break into the mobile and handled console business. As a new product in a highly competitive arena, the delay is unlikely to affect their sales, but the hype is still strong. We’ll known more once devices have been in the hands of reviewers for longer and games title themselves to the device.”

The console also serves as a gamepad with the usual keys. The special feature of SHIELD is the possibility of a PC games with Nvidia GeForce graphics card that can stream via Wi-Fi to everywhere in the house to play the game. Although it is designed as a portable gaming device, such as PlayStation Vita or Nintendo 3DS console, Nvidia Shield also works with other uses. For example, its creators say it can be turned into an entertainment desktop device.

The Shield can handle all Google Play apps and stream PC games from Nvidia-based computers through a Wi-Fi connection. It is worth noting that Nvidia slashed the originally-planned launch price of the Shield down from $349 to $299 in June.

The company still hasn’t specified what is the issue was. It says quality is important before they can ship the product in the consumer hand.

“Our goal has always been to ship the perfect product, so we made sure we submitted SHIELD to the most rigorous mechanical testing and quality assurance standards in the industry. We built SHIELD because we love playing games, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do,” Nvidia wrote in a blog post.

Among the well-known games that are optimized for the console is GTA III, GTA: Vice City, Max Payne, and Sonic 4, Batman: Arkham City, Borderlands 2, Dishonored, Metro: Last Light, Resident Evil 6 and Skyrim.

According to a joint report from App Annie and IDC, Android and iOS have helped mobile gaming revenue rise to triple that of handheld gaming consoles in Q1 2013. It will be interesting to see how the Android powered SHIELD handheld will perform in terms of sales and volume when Microsoft’s Xbox One and Sony’s PS4 is due to arrive later in the year.