The base model does retain its Ethernet port, and features a Micro SD card slot next to where you stick the HDMI cable.
Without those, the Shield TV can't be used as a SmartThings hub or a Plex server - if you want to do either of those things, you'll need to drop an extra $50 for the Shield TV Pro. That slick design means there's nowhere to put USB ports, though. HDMI and Micro SD at one end power and Ethernet at the other.