Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet is now up for grabs

You know you want one. Sure, Archos isn't tops when it comes to sexy, but there's enough technical doohickery in these new Archos 5 "Internet Media Tablets" to keep you busy for a while -- and they're now shipping. C'mon, live a little. It's only $350 for 60GB of fun, $400 for 120GB and $450 for 250GB. They're practically giving these things away.

[Thanks, Pierre B.]

[Mike10010100 @ Sep 6th 2008 8:17PM]

Nice. 320 GB on a touchscreen PMP! I wonder if it allows video streaming capabilities.....

One step closer to a 1 TB PMP.

[stealth658 @ Sep 6th 2008 8:18PM]

250 GB*

[Mike10010100 @ Sep 6th 2008 8:24PM]

Whoops... little misconception there. I hadn't been following this PMP, and looked back to the original articles, saw the capacities for the Archos 7, and sponge-brained it.

Sorry. Still think this is interesting.

[Techie @ Sep 6th 2008 8:29PM]

I hope they will be able to use OLED later on so the PMP will be like PMP and not mini notebooks.

[JohnTitor @ Sep 6th 2008 8:42PM]

it has flash 9 support if that's what you mean
pair that with an Opera web browser, high res display, and a new arm cortex cpu, this could be as good web browsing at N810 (minus keyboard)

[fischju @ Sep 6th 2008 9:08PM]

Like the 605 is streams for networks (and UPnP), most video sites work like on the 605.

[BigDaddyM @ Sep 6th 2008 8:17PM]

As much as I love my 604, I do not see enough reason to upgrade. I also do not believe that there is enough of an upgrade to mak it an "internet tablet" as well. At this point, I am going for a netbook that will also be a media player. The touch screen is nice but on the other hand a netbook does more for not mcuh larger.

I am surprised they are not pushing teh media abilities of netbooks...
M

[Gfxlonghorn @ Sep 6th 2008 9:26PM]

Well I have a 605, and I think they could take a few notes from apple. The browser was not quick enough yet to be seamless like Apples, and their could be further support for flash and other apps(see: Apple shortcomings). It's still not a full internet browser yet. When google and archos team up for Google Chrome on Archos, let me know!

[quag @ Sep 6th 2008 10:59PM]

@Gfxlonghorn:

> Well I have a 605, ... The browser was not quick enough ...

Dude, this isn't an article about the 605, it's about the Archos 5. Your commentary about the previous generation isn't particularly relevant.

[konshuss @ Sep 7th 2008 2:11AM]

strictly speaking about its internet capability: there's a certain line that when a PMP crosses it, it makes one yearn for more. i would pick this thing up and enjoy browsing the web a bit, touch-clicking my way around.. but then it would make me want to type with a slideout keyboard and run applications... but if you added those elements, it's no longer a PMP, it's an OQO.

my problem with this is that it throws in the kinds of extras to give you the taste of a real online experience, but packaged as a PMP it falls under that umbrella where it can't get too fancy in its design and useability and you're left wanting it to do more.

the DVR recording feature however sounds kickass... a smaller option for grabbing live tv than a cumbersome dvd burner is very useful.

[BigDaddyM @ Sep 7th 2008 2:43AM]

@quag

It is relevent because having both previous medels as I do, the internet options were pretty bad and there isn;t really a sign that this is much better. Archos advertised with the last model the web experience and it sucked. Don't get me wrong, as a PMP it is awesome, but I won't risk the upgrade.

Adding to that I would have to buy new plug-ins and as a PMP it is not much better, I will have to stick to my older Archos.

I wanted all 720P HD support, not just mpeg4 (I can handle it not being 1080P) and selling the basic plug-ins is insulting.

The only reason I went with Archos over Cowon is HDD space, my is almost full with the 160GB verson. iPod is a joke at this point.

[KAIKAI @ Sep 6th 2008 8:18PM]

W00T another mp(insert various number here) player came out :D
that i still cant afford :(

[Nster @ Sep 6th 2008 8:19PM]

i have an archos 605 80gb and couldnt be happier

these things are ipod KILLERS

[Intelex @ Sep 6th 2008 10:03PM]

what! iPod killer? Can this thing have the potential to do
anthing than what it's suppose to do. Dude, the iPod phone/touch
Is the future... Apps are the key.... This is what can make the iPhone/touch
be an archos or anything else! Unfortunately, it can't work in reverse.
In other words the device that can be transfomed is the superior product...
Think about it....

[JohnTitor @ Sep 6th 2008 10:23PM]

apps are the key?

Apple makes the most closed products around
they only reason they opened that app store was cause of the jailbreaking and pressure from developers
they are just big cause they're popular
and popularity leads to more support and it kinda grows that way and it gets harder for smaller companies to make it big

[Cybergypsy @ Sep 6th 2008 10:37PM]

Yea,,,,,OK!

[Nster @ Sep 7th 2008 12:15AM]

lets compare shall we:

Price:
605 - $229.97CAD or $7.67/gb
Touch - $468.99CAD or $14.66/gb

Capacity:
605 - 30gb hdd
Touch - 32gb flash memory

Screen:
605 - 4.3" 800x480
Touch - 3.5" 640x480

Codec(s):
605 - Pick one.
Touch - Have fun converting your video.

So twice as much....for half the price...your right, its not an ipod killer, its an ipod SLAYER!

[Ry @ Sep 7th 2008 1:26AM]

It's only an iPod killer if it's compelling enough to get people to stop using iTunes.

[Juxtah @ Sep 7th 2008 8:11AM]

Any other program is compelling enough to stop people using iTunes. The only advantage of iTunes is the music store, all the other features (or lack thereof) are pretty shoddy compared to any other free alternative. And even the music store is a minus point for me, because when I buy music I expect to be able to play it on whatever and wherever I want and not have it locked into iTunes and iPods.

iTunes is a pretty bad piece of software, every time I try to use it it's slow, bugged, wants me to reencode all my variable bit rate mp3's and .OGG's into .aac which compared to the above is complete rubbish. Combine that with all the stuff it installs on your computer without your knowledge or permission makes iTunes a pretty uncompelling piece of software.

[sgrmba @ Sep 7th 2008 8:50AM]

I also have the 60 gb Archos 605. It is fine but not an iPod killer to me because it is a better fit on the video side so I don't compare the two directly. The music player is not stellar. Very limited apps or widgets unless you want to write your own. If they are adding more apps or widgets in an effort to push this model, that would be excellent. Although, unlike everyone else, I like the buttons on the 605 as a failover to the touchscreen. (For those who think Apple just threw together the app store in response, business doesn't work that way. Speaking from experience, it takes a couple of years to plan this stuff and just as long to get everything ready to promote from development/test environment to a live environment.)

[allislost @ Sep 7th 2008 4:31AM]

What makes a device sexy? when it's shaped like a vagina?

[CJ @ Sep 7th 2008 7:29AM]

I'd love to see a vagina-shaped MP3 player!

But then arises the whole question(s) of: How will it be controlled? Where would the headphone jack be? Will it ever stop playing angry screaming music at full volume? And for the love of god, HOW do you turn it on?!

[BigDaddyM @ Sep 6th 2008 8:19PM]

The 320 GB HDD is only on the 7inch version, currently...
M

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Sep 6th 2008 8:29PM]

Product details link seems to be broken.

Do they still charge extra for additional codecs?

I kind of wanted archos 605, but the silliness with extra codecs turned me to cowon a3.

[Taz @ Sep 6th 2008 8:35PM]

A3 was a better choice anyway... 10hrs of video on a single charge - no other PMP can touch it.

[slibus @ Sep 6th 2008 10:11PM]

A3 does not get 10hours of video. I have to recharge mine after watching 2.5 episodes of battlestar. Its been that way from day one, pretty piss poor in the battery life department. But I got it because i didnt like Archos' bull with the lack of wall charger and buying additional codecs.

[Taz @ Sep 6th 2008 11:48PM]

Then there's something wrong with your A3. Mine regularly lasts 8-10hrs (depending on brightness settings). I travel between LA and London every 2-3 months, and I'd be well f**ked without my A3.

[YpoCaramel @ Sep 6th 2008 8:45PM]

I think the 5-series looks pretty cool - rounded corners, sleek brown color. As nice as an iTouch, at least.

Why's Engadget hating on its design?

[Ethan @ Sep 6th 2008 9:27PM]

It's pretty nice, but it's a bit dull. I personally like it.

[BigDaddyM @ Sep 6th 2008 10:12PM]

Engadget hates everything not Apple. I had hopped that would change once Ryan was gone, but I guess not...

Personally, I think the iPhone is borning looking. It is great because how much can be done in such a slim device. You know like crashing and drop calls and all...
M

[BigDaddyM @ Sep 6th 2008 10:13PM]

Engadget hates everything not Apple. I had hopped that would change once Ryan was gone, but I guess not...

Personally, I think the iPhone is borning looking. It is great because how much can be done in such a slim device. You know like crashing and drop calls and all...
M

[ethana2 @ Sep 7th 2008 2:12AM]

If engadget had POST EDITS or maybe just reliably displayed posts one has already made, he wouldn't have posted twice.

That said, I agreed with him enough to vote him up both times ;)

[Atanas Boev @ Sep 7th 2008 4:59AM]

yes, engadget has this buggy commenting system, where a comment one makes is not immediately visible and one should reload the article to see it. Mere refresh does not work, one should change the url.

Same bug is on DLS, and seems all things weblogs. Engadget, you should seriously upgrade your commenting system towards 2.0. It is very old school, php-ish and forumish.

[Sublimewulf @ Sep 6th 2008 8:47PM]

I wanna know the tech specs on this baby! CPU GPU RAM, I wanna know all of the 3 letter acronyms!

[fischju @ Sep 6th 2008 9:10PM]

It has one of the new TI Cortex procs. I think it has 64mb of RAM.

[gylman @ Sep 6th 2008 8:49PM]

I've been tracking this product a looong time (in other words, about 6 months in the gadget world). It's a nice device, but I'll be waiting for the initial few bugs to be sorted out, and more importantly for the built-in 3G version to be released. Too bad it has a proprietary operating system.... if not for that, it would have been perfect.

[fischju @ Sep 6th 2008 9:11PM]

The other models support 3G USB modem cards with the mini or battery docks (if you want one of them, or if your provider doesn't use SIM cards)

[Artemiy @ Sep 7th 2008 1:34AM]

It has a proprietary system because of legal issues, that's also the reason the openPMA project isn't going too far yet. And yes, also to protect the plug-in system. So - Archos' not going open for quite some time, I think. I miss the times of PMA.

Still, the 5 isn't exactly a PMP (for a PMP I'd still choose the 605 I currently own). It's really geared more towards web-browsing: no hard buttons (except for power, tv, etc), installed web browser, a bit larger screen and iTouch-like design. Hopefully the touchscreen is better responding too. So, there is a slight difference between Archos' IMTs and PMPs: that's why I hope the 606 is still in the roadmap.

[The Dude @ Sep 6th 2008 8:53PM]

"Sure, Archos isn't tops when it comes to sexy..."

Perhaps true of earlier players, but how is *this* PMP not aesthetically pleasing?

[oGMo @ Sep 6th 2008 9:02PM]

No Ogg: lose. Or FLAC. I mean c'mon, if I wanted a straight mp3 player i'd just get an ipod.

[JohnTitor @ Sep 6th 2008 10:07PM]

I agree no flac sucks, but ipod doesn't have flash video support, divx, etc

[BigD145 @ Oct 26th 2008 6:14PM]

It has ogg now.

[derX @ Sep 6th 2008 9:05PM]

"technical doohickery" = priceless

Paul Miller, I am a fan.

[blueangel00100 @ Sep 6th 2008 9:06PM]

Is it just me, or is that a dent on the left hand side?

[sputnik74 @ Sep 7th 2008 3:10AM]

It's the headphone jack.

[IG @ Sep 6th 2008 9:10PM]

Oh my gosh....its true...there is a dent on the left hand side. Somebody dropped this Archos! I am not buying a device that was already dropped.

[quiksilv3r @ Sep 6th 2008 9:12PM]

Really, Paul?? How can you say this doesn't look good? Got apples for irises?

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 6th 2008 11:14PM]

Hey, Jubei, buddy- you haven't posted your pro-Apple non-sense here, yet, which is unusual... But whatever. Just for the sake of arguing, this is the product that destroys your beloved iPod Touch.

[ethana2 @ Sep 7th 2008 2:24AM]

*sigh*
You'd think we'd have better things to do than pissing off Apple fans.

[Zeus.:God @ Sep 7th 2008 3:37AM]

True, but I always get such a kick from his posts. They're so full of bullshit, I can't help but laugh. Sounds lame, I know, but still, it's funny all the same.