Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet is now up for grabs
By Paul Miller 
posted Sep 6th 2008 8:10PM
posted Sep 6th 2008 8:10PM
[Thanks, Pierre B.]
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Nice. 320 GB on a touchscreen PMP! I wonder if it allows video streaming capabilities.....
One step closer to a 1 TB PMP.
250 GB*
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.
I hope they will be able to use OLED later on so the PMP will be like PMP and not mini notebooks.
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)
Like the 605 is streams for networks (and UPnP), most video sites work like on the 605.
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
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!
@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.
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.
@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.
W00T another mp(insert various number here) player came out :D
that i still cant afford :(
i have an archos 605 80gb and couldnt be happier
these things are ipod KILLERS
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....
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
Yea,,,,,OK!
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!
It's only an iPod killer if it's compelling enough to get people to stop using iTunes.
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.
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.)
What makes a device sexy? when it's shaped like a vagina?
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?!
The 320 GB HDD is only on the 7inch version, currently...
M
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.
A3 was a better choice anyway... 10hrs of video on a single charge - no other PMP can touch it.
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.
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.
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?
It's pretty nice, but it's a bit dull. I personally like it.
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
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
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 ;)
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.
I wanna know the tech specs on this baby! CPU GPU RAM, I wanna know all of the 3 letter acronyms!
It has one of the new TI Cortex procs. I think it has 64mb of RAM.
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.
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)
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.
"Sure, Archos isn't tops when it comes to sexy..."
Perhaps true of earlier players, but how is *this* PMP not aesthetically pleasing?
No Ogg: lose. Or FLAC. I mean c'mon, if I wanted a straight mp3 player i'd just get an ipod.
I agree no flac sucks, but ipod doesn't have flash video support, divx, etc
It has ogg now.
"technical doohickery" = priceless
Paul Miller, I am a fan.
Is it just me, or is that a dent on the left hand side?
It's the headphone jack.
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.
Really, Paul?? How can you say this doesn't look good? Got apples for irises?
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.
*sigh*
You'd think we'd have better things to do than pissing off Apple fans.
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.
Archos makes some sweet products. I like the fact it will play flash, unlike..ummm..other products. No stupid zooming into a webpage is also very nice. interface could use some work but looks easy to use. Once I saw that it can record video from any source I was sold. Can't wait to get it.
Gorgeous. Either going to grab the 250gb Archos 5 or wait a month for the 320gb Archos 7.
What about the Archos 5G with 3.5G HSDPA? Any chance of this being supported in the US in the next few months?
Hope you can install Qtopia on it like the 605. Besides that. It looks amazing with stainless steel! Where do you get off saying "Archos isn't tops when it comes to sexy" "technical doohickery".
Now go write something about Apple. Bish.
Can this play decrypted DVDs (i.e., VIDEO_TS.IFO and .VOB files) without converting?
I see a Cinema plugin that supports VOB files, but I want to make sure I can also use the standard DVD menus, subtitles, etc.
Archos 5 review on Archoslounge :
http://translate.google.fr/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Farchoslounge.net%2FTest-Archos-5-Introduction%2C8277.html&sl=fr&tl=en&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8
What a fantastic set of devices! I am painfully waiting for the Archos 5g (HSPDA enabled) !!!! This one is set to come out in December in UK... too long!
I just saw a couple of video reviews of the Archos 5, and yes it is very impressive and very fast.....and web surfing is very good....but is it pocketable......I am not so sure......
That is the one thing the iPod Touch has, that the Archos 5 barely has.....pocketableness.
Itamar
one more thing....I owned an iPod Touch for a while, and then sold it......and I'm just waiting for the next amazing gadget. Is this it? maybe....
or is it the 2nd gen iPod Touch?
or is it the Nokia N810 Wimax version?
or the Archos 5?
We'll see.
Oh my gosh!
UK Prices (GBP) compared to USD Prices...
60GB
USD: $350 | GPB: £279 ($493)
120GB
USD: $400 | GPB: £320 ($566)
250GB
USD: $450 | GPB: £360 ($636)
Not amused Archos..you must think we're rich over here..I don't care about taxes...
Also, don't foget, your £279/£320/£360 buys you a device with severely restricted functionality. You'll need to shell out straight away on 2 or 3 plugins to enable H264, AAC, AC3 etc
I had to spend an additional €70 on plugins for my 605. Shame on Archos if they think im going to do the same again for this (admittedly very nice) device.
Prices in € compared to $:
60 GB
US $349.99 | EU 339.99€ (489.21$)
120 GB
US $399.99 | EU 399.99€ (575.55$)
250 GB
US $449.99 | EU 469.99€ (676.27$)
The 250GB version makes a 226.28$ difference! You gotta be kidding me.
Ah screw that, I'm getting myself a decent notebook for 670€.
Looking back to when engadget first posted these new players a couple weeks ago they also criticized the design then. Bizarre. I think they look gorgeous. The interface looks slick and amazing, the device itself looks to have a perfect blend of curves and practicality. Form with function = perfect.
That looks plenty sexy to me.
You obviously have never seen *Ainol.
It's real tight.
Looks like another me-too device inspired by Apple's outer design, but with little of the interface design philosophy that makes their products so easy to use.
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/why-is-the-iphone-popular
I have been using Archos products since the iPod only had a small monochrome screen, and Archos' designs have shown a natural progression. They are not copying Apple. Archos had big screen devices long before the iPhone, or iPod touch were designed. I started using Archos' products because they had a much bigger screen than the iPod, and very importantly, were/are able to record directly from any video source. Watching a video on the 800 x 480 current generation 605 is so much better than watching the same video on the iPod touch, and the screen is even bigger on the new Archos 5. I have extensively used both the touch, and current generation 605, and found the 605 to be far better for my needs, your needs may differ. My blog entry at http://www.jimtravis.com/gadget.html#archos details why I like the 605 so much better than the touch after extensively using both. There have been a few software releases for both devices since I last updated the blog. The touch's app store is a non-event for me (it may be important for you). I use the 605 for recording/watching video, and sometimes for web surfing, which unlike a previous poster, I found to be a good experience on the 605.
Its still too ugly looking...i gotta see it in person.
I would buy this if three of the Add Ons are Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket, and Olive Tree Bible Reader.
I want one.
I have noticed and had confirmation that The Archos 5 has the same CPU, GPU , and DSP as the new open source Pandora hand held Gaming device that is supposed to be released later this month, and Hypothetically if they could open it up , could do much of what the pandora is supposed to be able to do.
any one know of this? If some of the devs from the Pandora project got on it they might be able to make headway into opening up The Archos 5 .... what a dream....