Two takeaways:

1. Google Assistant is not coming to the Shield on the 16th.
2. When using the new controller, the TV has to be on/will turn on when you say OK Google.

I may not want to return my Google Home.

I wonder if the new remotes work with the old shields. I would assume so...

Oh snap, I did not know about the removal of the private listening port on the new remote!

The Shield Android TV now includes its remote alongside the controller in the box, which is much better than shelling out $50 for the TV-focused accessory. The new remote is similar in design, but is no longer rechargeable and has lost its headphone jack for private listening — on the upside, though, is a quoted year of battery life. Going a step further, both the controller and remote now have integrated IR blasters, meaning they can control other parts of your home entertainment setup like adjusting volume on an AV receiver or a TV that doesn't fully support HDMI-CEC.

Also I heard it's made of plastic now. Looks like the older remote might still be a hot commodity.

Yes, they made the app section 2 rows (the picture) and the removed the NVIDIA section, thank you Nvidia for listening.

NVIDIA made a couple of changes as well, including removing the "NVIDIA" section of the home screen and tweaking the way the "Games" section is displayed.