Archos officially announces all five Generation 4 devices

Not too many surprises here -- after all, we've already seen a full review of one of these new models -- but now PMP pioneer Archos has officially taken the wraps off of all the so-called Generation 4 devices we initially spotted over two months ago. First out of the gate will be the 3.5-inch 404 and 4.3-inch 604 media players whose specs and performance have gradually been revealed over the last few weeks, and all we really had wrong about the two thirty giggers was their prices: the former will go for $300 while the latter will set you back $350 when they ship next month (though pre-orders are already being taken). Coming later in the year will be a version of the 404 with an integrated camcorder as well as a touchscreen, wireless-enabled iteration of the 604 (for downloading internet content), and like all the Gen4 models, these will require a separate DVR docking station in order to record content from and playback content to external sources and monitors. Last but certainly not least is the surprisingly capacious 160GB 504 (we originally thought it would sport only a 40GB HDD), although at this point Archos is keeping mum on such deets as screen size, pricing, and availability. All-in-all a very exciting new crop of PMPs, and like previous products from the company, these will likely continue to be the media players against which all other competitors are judged.

[Bjarke @ Aug 21st 2006 12:47AM]

No URL?

[Cesar @ Aug 21st 2006 1:02AM]

I have little hope for a 204 audio player. I loved the 200

[Sean @ Aug 21st 2006 1:07AM]

Now the question is.....Will the Archos 404 beat the touchscreen ipod to come later this year or next year.

[J S @ Aug 21st 2006 1:48AM]

I dont get it .. are they making money from this?
I hope the next iteration that will be touchscreen will be innovative and besides eliminating/hiding buttons they'll be coming up with an intuitive touch screen interface. Maybe allow the whole screen to depress slightly or be able to sense a force increase for user clicking.

And perhaps include a voice interface or handwriting recognition for selecting songs or scrolling through playlists?

It would also be nice if it had a tv or hdtv transmitter. I suppose then the cost would go up slightly but maybe people will pay?

For video content maybe they can have a deal with youtube or google video that let's people download videos from there? They'd have to work out ad revenue or something.

The point is, the video ipod will be stiff competition on all fronts .. user friendliness, looks, content, brand name recognition, and probably even price so they better at least have awesome looks and ease of use.

[RedSlug @ Aug 21st 2006 1:51AM]

Bjarke,

Here we go..

http://www.archos.com

[joe @ Aug 21st 2006 1:55AM]

umm, thats not realy the question at all. nobody has manged at all to "beat" any ipod, regardless of superior specs, price, and design. not to mention archos hasn't had any giant success to secure their name with your average shopper, only those who shop around know about their supperior products. so to answer your question, will the archos 404 beat the touchscreen ipod? no, no it wont. i am willing to bet it is better, but beaten.

[James @ Aug 21st 2006 3:22AM]

Sandisk Sansa > Apple ipod nano. 'nuff said.

[Larry The Cable Guy @ Aug 21st 2006 6:40AM]

no URL? by by Bjarke,

original story "ARCHOS introduces Generation 4 line: 404, 404 Camcorder, 604, 604 WiFi, 504 video players" at
http://blog.americasnewstoday.com/2006/08/18/archos-introduces-generation-4-line-404-404-camcorder-604-604-wifi-504-video-players.aspx

[Jenn @ Aug 21st 2006 7:11AM]

Weird. Why does that article show the Archos AV400?

[Charbax @ Aug 21st 2006 7:54AM]

joe, Apple has the big part mostly in Audio-only digital portable player. But nobody knows if Apple will succeed to dominate with any video iPod. for now, most people buying the video-ipod aren't using it for the video part, it's an ipod with video, not a video-ipod.

For now Archos is leading in the portable video player market, but that market is not yet that big, even though it is growing very rapidly. I think Archos has some generations of experience with portable video and they have some very good R&D, and their marketing and distribution is only improving, that they might compete pretty good even if Apple and Microsoft start being aggressive doing portable video. Apple will force everyone to use 320x240 iTunes video store, Microsoft will force people to use WMV DRM, and Archos will be inbetween and offer all codecs, H264, WMV, Mpeg2 and DivX. And especially, I think the next killer app will be Internet connectivity, so Archos will lead because they will provide browser, video-on-demand and other stuff like that with a touch-screen. I think even the average ipod user will be intreaged with an Archos that lets them chat on their MSN, download unlimited music legally for a flat monthly fee, access RSS feeds, post in their myspace blog and stuff like that. It will be first Wifi, but quickly after it will be 3.5G and 4G.

[simon @ Aug 21st 2006 12:52PM]

Charbax,
I think your comments are very insightful. When it comes to the next generation of handhelds I think that there are many players in the race none of whom will leave the gate with a clear advantage. Archos has a history of making these players so they aren't starting from scratch. MS can leverage Xbox live. Apple will use its strength in iTunes. I wouldn't count Sony out - Howie Stringy seems to be turning things around and knows what their weakness is (spread too thin and flaky to horrid software). I suspect that in one or two generations we will see a Sony handheld that has some elements borrowed Mylo, PSP, and VaioUX.

[Joel @ Aug 22nd 2006 1:21AM]

For those of you have want some inside information. Sharper image is planning to carry the 504 (160GB)model for $600. It's expected arrival date in the warehouse is Sept. 20th. Meaning you should probably see it on the shelves (Especially in the busier states Fl, NY, CA) around the 1st of October (Give or take). Of course as we all know, this will not come with the docking station, and has completely not come into light if Sharper Image will be offering this. The funny thing is that Sharper Image has been working with Archos since midway through the life of the AV420. Between the lack of emphasis on both parties (Archos and TSI), neither company has gotten that the only thing they NEED to do, is key advertisement.

The Sharper Image (TSI), has stumbled through existence, with coming along certain products 1st the Casio watch, then their all mighty Ionic Breeze, and of course everyone remebers the RAZOR scooter craze. The problem they have is the same each time. Old people run the office, and think they know better. Speaking from experience as a former employee. My store sold more Archos, than Ipod. Yes it took a little convincing because of some people's ignorance in the market. This one store sold more Archos than any other District in the entire company. Boiling down to the only clue Apple has picked up on, is that with the market, advertising is key. If TSI marketed this product half as well as they do with their Ipod/PMP accessories (ZipConnect), they could literally flip apples boat, and push another craze for these Media players this christmas, like they did with the RAZOR scooter, when they received exclusive rights to that for the 1st year of production. The potential is out there.
Damn it, put me in charge of adv. I gaurentee those things will fly off the shelf This christmas.

[joe t @ Jan 2nd 2007 10:43AM]

you can get any archos for free:

http://Pvps.real-incentives.com/?referral=59

easy to beat the system - to get a free

1. click on this link http://Pvps.real-incentives.com/?referral=59
2. register
3. sign up to an offer - I signed up to the LoveFilm offer which is free as long as you cancel your account in the first 3 weeks (I canceled after a couple of days).
4. - this is the easiest stage - just refer people to do the same as you - the number of referals varys depending on what product you wish to recieve.
5. product recieved

If you have any problems contact me.

[T J @ Jan 16th 2008 12:20AM]

Does the PVPS offer really work? Do any of your referrals have to sign up in order for you to get your item or do you just have to send the referral? Or do they have to visit the page. This info is not explained very well on the website. I saw a Blockbuster offer that I don't mind completing but wonder if anything else will be required of me in order to get my Archos 160.