Archos 5, 7 internet media tablets now on sale

It's just been a few short days since Archos took the wraps off its new Archos 5 and Archos 7 "internet media tablets," but if you're already sold, you can now get your order in for one of 'em on Amazon (and no doubt plenty of other places shortly). Prices start at $350 for the lowest-end 60GB Archos 5, and go all the way up to $550 for a 320GB Archos 7. You can also take your pick from a range of accessories, including a DVR Snap-On or more full-fledged DVR Station ($80 and $100, respectively), a Battery Dock for $50, a Mini Dock for $30, and even a Helmet Camcorder for $130. Just don't expect any of that to arrive right away -- everything's listed with a two to four week shipping estimate.

[Via I4U News]

[who? @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:37PM]

'Media Tablet' huh? What a nice phrase. Not misleading at all. My iPod Touch is also a 'Media Tablet'.

;-)

[cesium @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:54PM]

Uhh its got a much larger and higher resolution screen than your ipod touch. Oh, and it's got flash support too.

[Mr. Ford @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:44PM]

Man, I have to get me one of these iPhone/touch devices. Apparently, if I get one, I will never want another piece of electronics, ever! That is unless it is another iPiece. I could then go to every person I know and say some bullshit like, "that's a badass bike. I bet my iPhone is cooler."

They would be like, "can you ride it on a mountain bike trail?"

I would reply, "HELL NO! Why would I ever want to do anything or own anything that isn't this glorious piece of equipment."

I would hate to be a(n) mp3 player, calculator, toaster, airplane, computer, toothpaste, etc. manufacturer, knowing that my (insert any above device, preferably toothpaste) can't hold a candle to the beloved iPhone.

Long live January 8th, 2007!!!!

[Charbax @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:03PM]

This Archos 5G has 2x larger screen then the iPhone, 2.5x the resolution, 10x the storage, 5x faster 3G/WiFi webbrowsing, Flash support, DivX HD, WMV HD, full resolution full bitrate H264, DVD/VOB/DVB Mpeg2 support, video recording with EPG Tivo-style record scheduling, portable Freeview DVB-T tuner option, HDMI output to HDTV, DVR recordings direct usb2 transfer, Flash, DivX, WMV, Mp3, WMA audio and video streaming.

All that, for cheaper the the iPhone, and it's not much bigger, actually about the same size as the iPhone:

http://archoslounge.net/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH400/jpg_IMG_0202_light-384b7.jpg

http://mp3.generationmp3.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/4/files/00_2008/aout/archos_gen6/IMG_5746.JPG

[BOGRASH @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:54PM]

but its not a phone you douche gargler

[O_O @ Aug 30th 2008 1:24AM]

sorry bogrash, did charbax hurt you? of course the archos isn't a phone, it would be stupid for archos to go into the phone industry. it doesn't have the hype power that apple used to sustain its phone. besides, isn't the archos a little too big to be a phone?

[Ford Mustang @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:36PM]

Don't forget that Archos is going to charge you $30 for the browser plugin, and $20 for each of the video plugins. Nothing like nickel and dime'ing the customer to death.

[skizm @ Aug 23rd 2008 7:04AM]

The web plugin is free for the archos 5.

[coolbee @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:50PM]

well to be fair Archos themselve take your hard-earned cash to pay the codec licencing people; can't blame the messenger can you? Well,not too much anyway; at least those people over there give you the option to just pay for impressive hardware combined with less so codec support, err... then pay atrocious amount for that you really WANT to use.

[coolbee @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:54PM]

Though since those people really want to ...err, know you the web plug-in is free upon registation.

[Chris @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:28PM]

I believe these come with the web-browser plug-in and many of the media plug-ins already

[Shoumik @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:21PM]

@coolbee
I don't see companies like nokia nickle and dime'ing customers for wanting to browse the web on something with built-in wi-fi. This is ridiculous.

[fischju @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:44PM]

No, the browser is now free and the plugins are much cheaper

[Charbax @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:55PM]

A super fast version of the Opera browser and the WebTV, WebRadio and Podcasting features are included for free with these Internet Media Tablet models.

[koala72 @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:17PM]

Still better value than paying Apple $20 for the Touch update that adds things like stock, weather and notes! The things that are just so useful!
And im sure they have to pay royalties with those addons too...

[tekdroid @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:54PM]

speaking of royalties, what's their excuse for not including FLAC and Ogg Vorbis support?
http://flac.sourceforge.net
http://www.vorbis.com

[thedesolate1 @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:01PM]

Cant they just add 3G and a built in GPS already....

[fischju @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:21PM]

3G is built into the Archos 5G, and there is a GPS cradle.

I think their excuse for FLAC and Vorbis is that it isn't supported by the hardware like the other formats are, they would have to run mplayer to do this which would open it up for possible exploits. Which they still should do. Anybody speak French?

[JohnTitor @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:59PM]

first off don't mislead people when you don't know what you're talking about
The web browser, flash 9, web TV, and web Radio comes free with this generation
there are plenty of popular codecs that work out of the box (more than iPod/Zune)
and the ones that they charge for are licensed codecs that they would have to pay to use, including HD formats

[Yuriy @ Aug 24th 2008 7:16PM]

its still cheaper with all plug-ins than anything with iT ir iP

[Coolbee @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:38PM]

A tad too expensive? Even if it is not yet shipping, you still got to pay alot for the plug-ins on top of the player itself to utilise its full potential.

[Coolishkoolkid @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:48PM]

are these things even worth the money?

[dustinlikewhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:10PM]

no blue tooth = no care ever.

[dimsum05 @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:12PM]

I wonder why they just don't bundle the price of the codecs and the web browser into the cost of the player?

[Charbax @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:04PM]

If they bundled all codec licences, all software licences, it'd make the basic device more expensive.

[iofthestorm @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:15PM]

According to some comments above you, they did.

[Axenostan @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:18PM]

Wow, the n810 wins again...

[Charbax @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:15PM]

Let's list a few things showing how Archos 5G is much better then the Nokia N810:

- Full codecs support at full DVD resolution and up to HD 720p resolution,

- Faster better webbrowser with full screen Flash video support,

- 10x perhaps 20x more storage on Archos 5 depending on small the MiniSD cards are in your N810,

- Full codecs streaming from the Internet and on your local network,

- Video recording with EPG,

- DVB-T freeview tuner dock,

- USB-host for transfering pictures from digital camera, for emptying SD cards on your Archos hard drive storage, for connecting external hard drives.

Only temporary advantages of N810:

- Pretty bad thumb keyboard (Archos 5G could support full sized foldable USB keyboards on its USB-host)

- Pretty bad software (Archos 5G could use Google Android as the OS on a firmware upgrade, just a guess.. just as you can in theory install Google Android on a hacked Nokia N810)

- Pretty bad bluetooth mobile phone modem strategy, you need an expensive HSDPA mobile phone with weak battery life to function as your N810 HSDPA modem. Much slower and much less usable then Archos 5G built-in HSDPA.

[iofthestorm @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:18PM]

@Charbax: I don't think the web browser would be faster or better considering you can install several different web browsers on the N810, whereas with this you're stuck with whatever Archos gives you. While these devices are pretty appealing, I still think the Nokia tablets win for people who are more into the internet/hackability aspect than the media playing aspect, since they're open sourced and flexible. Of course, if you need a PMP then the Archos is a no brainer but for an internet device the N800/N810 is a lot better.

[Billy Fiul @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:02AM]

Let's list a few things showing why Charbax is a complete idiot:

-He makes a comprehensive list detailing how one device is better than another, when they really serve two separate markets.

-Many of the things he lists can be performed on both devices.

-His name is Charbax

[brandoshido @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:19PM]

the browser is free this time around, so is the web radio and tv plugin

[Itamar @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:26PM]

I recommend waiting a few weeks to check out what the next rev of the iPod Touch looks like.....It may be better than this!

[cesium @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:14PM]

You have got to be kidding me

[koala72 @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:19PM]

Do you actually believe that they are going to change it that much?

Whens the last time they changed the design of the iPod...

Oh wait, NEVER.

[bob e @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:30PM]

Damn if it only had a phone plug-in I'd be sold!

[Yuriy @ Aug 24th 2008 7:31PM]

what about peoples who don't care about all-in-one units? I like my old Razor and even don't want to change. The simple is better. Your phone goes bad you everything goes bad. Last time i use text message it was 2 years ago not talking about camera in my phone so what is the point? Its still cheaper by time and price to make normal call than spend time for typing text message and than understand what other person trying to say by squeezing words to minimum.

[Andrew @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:37PM]

Just put in my order and can't wait! =)

[brandoshido @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:39PM]

i really want the 60GB 5. The built in flash 9 support is badass. I hope the album art gets bigger than what they've shown in the video. IU like the zune and ipod touch dominant album art while music plays.

[Pingmeister @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:59PM]

For the screen size these are awesome. I use my 604 for watching movies (I don't even have any music on mine) and it does a great job. I have even taken it on trips and watched movies on relatives' TVs.

The plugins are NOT necessary for using the player. Just be smart and figure out what plugins you need to use it and factor it into the price.

Again, what sets these apart is the screen size. GREAT for movie-watching on the go.

[King Ben @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:11PM]

I'm sorry for being so stupid, but what do you have to do to get internet on this thing? is there a monthly charge? and will it work everywhere like EDGE or 3G. My 1st gen iPhone has been acting up on me, and its time to purchase something that will let me access the internet freely. And thank god for flash!!

[dustinlikewhat @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:22PM]

it's called wifi, get in on it.

[Charbax @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:43PM]

It does WiFi and HSDPA.

Though notice it does built-in HSDPA on the Archos 5G model, and it's external HSDPA modems (using Dock or/and USB dongles plugged under it) in the Archos 5 and Archos 7 models without the "G" in their name.

The Archos 5G will be sold mostly by carriers, for now only SFR for the french market has been announce, but their announcement is still to come in the coming weeks for price and availabillity. That package deal could include a cheap Archos 5G with or without the DVR Station for a cheap price for example perhaps $199 upfront if you sign a 2-year HSDPA data subscription. Which could be a second SIM card so you can also use any other cheap phone separately on the same customer account with the carrier.

[Calvin @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:07PM]

ME WANTTTT!!!!!

[zyren @ Aug 23rd 2008 3:28PM]

i dont see this for preorder at amazon anywhere. did they take it down or what?

[DJFriar @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:47PM]

I really really want the Archos 7 with the 320GB hard drive. I could sync it to my media drive, not take up space on my laptop for on the go viewing, and I would gain a bunch of features for when Im on teh road (liek recording TV shows, etc). To me this is one of the first gadgets I've drooled over in a long time (I do have an iPhone now, but I was not a fan in the beginning, so no drooling was had).

Honestly, I like the N810, but I think this beats it in my opinion.

Now just got to find $500. lol.

[Doug @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:52PM]

not bad

[ArchosSmarchos @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:16PM]

Skip the new Archos devices or you'll be wasting your money.

For the same money (or less), you can get a new Netbook (Asus Eee 901, Acer Aspire One, HP 2133, Lenovo S10, Dell Inspiron 910, etc.) that runs a full operating system (Linux or Windows XP), can do all of the photo/music/video stuff that the Archos devices can do, and much, much more (MS Office, OpenOffice, client email, and on and on).

I purchased an Archos 704 WiFi around a year ago and the Opera Web browser on the device has never been updated by Archos, despite repeated pleas (no, I wasn't holding my breath). It can't display Google Maps (or any map web site worth its salt) and crashes or cannot display very popular, standard web sites. Archos refuses to update their browser, instead bringing out new machines to fleece the gullible. The 704 WiFi is dog-slow (that means it's sloooowwww) when doing anything other than viewing a movie,displaying photos, or listening to music - all of which a Netbook can do. You can't even view plain text files on it. Viewing a PDF document takes roughly 30 seconds to render each PDF page - horrible.

I like the form factor of the 704 (7" screen and touch screen), but it is gutless (slow), and lacking in so many features that Netbooks have. And Archos has horrible software enhancement support - they have written off all prior versions of their hardware, in favor of suckering in new buyers of their new hardware. (Yes, I was one of them.)

Don't drink the Koolaid - stay away from Archos.

[gnarayan @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:33PM]

Well time to replace my aging Cowon X5L
Sigh. At least this is still not a bloody iPod.

[LTM @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:37PM]

Let's list a few things showing how Archos 5G is much better then the Nokia N810:

- Video recording with EPG,

* "The EPG for the Archos is a joke and you know it. It hardly works correctly and the sad part is you've got to pay for it after a year.

- DVB-T freeview tuner dock,

* "A lot of good that does us outside of Europe."

- USB-host for transfering pictures from digital camera, for emptying SD cards on your Archos hard drive storage, for connecting external hard drives.

* "With the size of SD memory cards in digital camera's these days up to 32GB's. If you've got to transfer 32 GB's worth of photos from your digital camera to your Archos to clear out space, then you really need to ask yourself why, especially if it's a hell of lot easier to replace your digital camera card with another inexpensive SD backup rather than the hassle of transferring it to your Archos.

* The Nokia can also connect an external hard drive. You need to look at the N810 forum

* The Archos is a media machine; it's not productive on a professional level like the Nokia. It may have a faster processor temporarily, but when the next gen Nokia N900 comes out, everything you mentioned as a plus, won't really be a plus. "

Only temporary advantages of N810:

- Pretty bad thumb keyboard (Archos 5G could support full sized foldable USB keyboards on its USB-host)

* N810 supports full size foldable bluetooth keyboards plus there's nothing wrong with the built in virtual Keyboard and if you spend time with the actual built in keyboard, you can type pretty fast. I can do 30wmp on it. The 605wifi's virtual keyboard is pretty bad. Hope the Archos 5 and 7 are improved.

- Pretty bad software (Archos 5G could use Google Android as the OS on a firmware upgrade, just a guess.. just as you can in theory install Google Android on a hacked Nokia N810)

* "All software is open source on the N810 out of the box. There's a large community out there working on programs for the Nokia which are all free. Can you say the same for the archos. and I doubt too many people are going to replace Archos's operating system with android and if Archos did offer you added on anything, they'll probably charge you. That's the archos way. There's even Nintendo game emulators for the Nokia.

Question?
*
Can you do word processing on the Archos - Abiword can for the Nokia
Do you have access to contacts/todo list/ calender - GPE installed on Nokia ( you've got to be online for google docs to work)
Can you play games like Id's quake on the Archos - Nokia can port linux games, emulator games, etc.
Can you control your cable box and DVR from your Archos - Nokia can using Hava player software and hardware which by the way is a huge improvement over the EPG when used with a DVR cable box.
Can you take Archos's GPS out of the car and walk around with it - No
Do you have map access to more countries than Europe and North American on the Archos - No
Can the Archos use Skype? No
Is the battery removable on the Archos 5 or 7? No
Can you leave your archos on standby for 10 days or 20 days with the added 3600 battery which can run for 14 hours? No
Can you run thousands of Palm applications on the Nokia? You can on the Nokia with the Garnet Emulator.

I owned the 605wifi 80GB plus Dock and it was more hassle that it was worth, plus it crashed a lot. It played movies well, had a nice screen, but that's about it. The audio sucked coming out of it for music, the remote rarely changed the cable box's channel to record anything from the dock, and customer service was abysmal. When the N900 comes out, then that would be a good matchup for comparison. Until then, all you've got is a new chip in a fancy new box, but it's the same old Archos.

[Charbax @ Aug 24th 2008 5:14AM]

Nokia Maemo apps are nothing more then basic PDA style applications. There's nothing powerful going on with those apps. You don't have a powerful DSP to use to accelerate Multimedia features. It's basically mostly the same bunch of crappy applications that power 5 year old PDAs.

If you are the type that use calendars and wanabee word processing software on a pocket device, then Nokia is for you.

But if you want built-in HSDPA in your pocket device, if you want FULL codecs, FULL resolutions, native streaming Internet multimedia standards supported. If you want a device that supports your video and audio collection. A device that can replace your Tivo and your Slingbox, that can replace your Blu-ray player and your mediastreamer, that can replace your iPod Touch and exceeds the media abillities of any PDA or Nokia tablet ever released, the Archos 5G is the only device to do what it does.

The type of apps that are going to be worth having are going to be on Google Android OS, no matter how you spin things on Nokia's Linux Mobile implementations. Google Android is by definition going to be the standard for embedded Linux, and all the useful social networking applications, localization applications, instant messaging applications, pocket Google apps applications, all those are going to be on Google Android and not on Nokia's maemo, no matter how large you say the Maemo community is. Nokia does not support its community by not releasing hardware that has built in HDSPA, not releasing any device that supports the Internet standard for DVD quality video which is full DivX support, that does not support the Internet standard for embedded video streaming which is Flash video (Nokia does not play it smoothly in full screen). Nokia does not provide storage in their products (for fear of carriers being angry at users using too much bandwidth to download a lot of stuff). I hope that Nokia will do something good with the N900, but I don't think Nokia wants to do those things, and I think you won't be seing Nokia using Google Android OS on their devices just yet just by them prefering to sticking to their principles.