Archos 704 "Mobile DVR" with WiFi unveiled, thanks FCC

Archos wasn't joshing around with this whole WiFi bit, and while that 604 WiFi of theirs might've gotten dinged a bit in the reviews, it seems that they're back for more with this new 704 WiFi that the FCC so kindly has revealed to us. Very little is known about the functionality so far, but that whole "Mobile DVR" tag on the name could imply that Archos is packing a bit more TV-centric functionality into the device -- rumors have mentioned the possibility of a built-in TV tuner -- or perhaps just trying to position the same old, same old a tad bit better in the market. From what we can tell from the pic, we would say the screen is a decent bit larger than the 604's 4.3-inches, possibly even the 7-inches that rumors suggest, and from what specs we have, we know there's a CPU (duh), flash memory (most likely for buffering), a hard drive (double duh), 802.11b/g WiFi and DDR2 RAM inside this thing. Hopefully whatever is under the hood will be enough to pep up that GUI for more productive WiFi-based web browsing. Perhaps the best news in all this is that the FCC is totally breaking Archos' confidentially request on this one, which should be in effect for another 15 days or so, meaning Apple's hopes of keeping iPhone docs under wraps until June 15th just got that much slimmer. Peep another shot after the break.

[Jacob Kennedy @ Feb 7th 2007 1:17PM]

Not to nitpick but that does NOT look like 7 inches. [to wife]I mean, er, that definitely looks like 7 inches.[/to wife]

[Usman @ Feb 7th 2007 1:43PM]

Shouldn't the title say "704" instead of "705"?

[hoohoo @ Feb 7th 2007 2:47PM]

who really needs a mobile dvr? archos has nice design, and features, but why are they pushing themselves into this mobile dvr niche? they need to head in the internet tablet direction, and take on the nokia 880.
if they added support for sling or orb this device would be much better. who really needs to record tv on the go? most people who record tv already have a perfectly fine device at home for it. stop wasting resources on pointless functionality, and start focusing on features that people will actually use.

[Brutalnet Nick @ Feb 7th 2007 4:50PM]

Who needs it? People who incessantly watch TV and are told to "go outside more often". The "best" of both worlds? Cue up the Van Halen...

[Phredd @ Feb 7th 2007 3:38PM]

A mobile DVR would be awesome. Currently, I have to burn my TV shows to DVD, then rip them with Handbrake, then copy them to my 504. While I'd miss the advantage my DVR provides by easily stripping the commercials, I'd like the prospetct of being able to just plop this new 704 in its dock to watch in another room or just carry it when I travel.

[LikesGadgetsWillTravel @ Feb 7th 2007 3:55PM]

Get mythtv and automate that whole process. If the 704 integrates with that... and mythtv can do a lot! ... then we have the ultimate convergence. Heck, maybe the 704 will accept streaming video over wifi and can be turned into a mythtv frontend?

[Brian @ Feb 7th 2007 6:20PM]

Is it me or are there no controls on this new PVP? Most (if not all) recent Archos PVPs have controls on the frame to the right of the screen.... Are we looking at a touch screen Archos???

[Brian Baigorri @ Feb 7th 2007 9:33PM]

What i meant is are we looking at touch screen controls only, as the 604 did have a touch screen AND rocker controls... My mistake.

[EEE @ Feb 7th 2007 10:51PM]

notice no buttons -- so it must be touch screen like the 604
notice the mini USB port -- a welcome new feature

[Kelo D @ Feb 14th 2007 12:16AM]

Archos is really pushing the "portable" in Portable Media Player. It would be good to see some improved WiFi on something that could still fit in your pocket. But the features on this do look really awesome (mini USB, total touch screen controls?). I liking it already

[Jeffrey Kok @ Feb 17th 2007 5:34AM]

http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguide/newsview.php?id=1905

[Jeffrey Kok @ Feb 17th 2007 5:39AM]

I bought the Archos 704 Wifi today.
Yes, it is touch screen and it has Opera Browser built in
802.11b/g with WEP and WPA support
2 USB port, one host and one client.
You can connect your camera or portable hdd to the host USB port to directly transfer photos/movies across.

TOTALLY LUVVINNN it

[Stefan @ Feb 25th 2007 10:18AM]

where can you buy it??

[dave9999 @ Mar 4th 2007 12:59PM]

No one has a Archos 704wifi, they are talking kok and pulling your plonker.
That data sheet is fake.
It´s a modified 604 data sheet.
look closely, the 7 is blurred.

The 704wifi won´t be out for quite a while yet.
I will seriously consider one when it does.
For a traveller, in and out of various hostels, who wants to have to TAKE a Laptop EVERYWHERE, or lock it up in some crummy easy to brake into locker.
The 704wifi can be stuffed into a big enough pocket.
And connect, via hotspots on the go.

[Michael @ Mar 6th 2007 11:33AM]

Archos 704 Wi-Fi for sale in Singapore 8th-11th March at the IT Show in Suntec City. AM going to go check it out. Ad says up to 160Gb storage. Very nice. More details to follow.

[tom Thomas @ Mar 11th 2007 6:07PM]

I have the Archos 604 Wifi and i will be buying the new 704 Wifi just for the size,
Like the old saying go's , size does matter. :)
I think the editing on the Archos is cool,
makes for chopping out those nasty ads when copying TV.
Only 2 things the 604 / 704 needs is flash & Java and then they would have a UNPC condender.