5-inch Android-powered Archos Internet Media Tablet landing in September

Just under a month ago at Archos' Paris reveal, we were somewhat dismayed that an Android-based device didn't show up... officially, at least. We were told to expect more information about a Google-powered unit this September, but it looks as if said wait has been hacked considerably. According to The Inquirer, Archos has informed it that a 5-inch internet media tablet loaded with Android will be unveiled on September 15th, a date that certainly jibes with prior information. The handheld will boast Google's sauce underneath with a layer of Archos applications on top, and while the Windows 7-equipped Archos 9 PCTablet (pictured) is expected in October, this here device should hit shelves a few weeks prior. In related news, the briefing also included word that Archos was working on a few "telephony products," which is just barely enough to get you simultaneously excited / hot and bothered.

[Via TrustedReviews]

[JohnTitor @ Jul 4th 2009 2:09AM]

So finally Android gets a high end device, HTC's tries couldn't keep up with the original iPhone, let alone the S and Pre, but if rumors are true than Archos's device will have a Cortex A8 (like their last device but faster) and maybe even OpenGL ES 2 Support. Sadly it doesn't look like its gonna be a phone

[Mark Anderson II @ Jul 4th 2009 4:12AM]

The HTC Hero disagrees with your comment.

[Charbax @ Jul 4th 2009 11:28AM]

HTC Hero still has a crappy small resolution small screen. We need real 800x480 at least on 4.8" screens to get a decent PC-Like web browsing experience and to get a usable video playback experience as well. A 4.8" screen device can be about the size of a regular wallet, so it can perfectly well still be very pocketable.

[Rob Petrin @ Jul 4th 2009 2:43PM]

I concur. G1 is like your kid in a little league game. You love him and root for him, but he know he's not as good as the others.

G1 UNDERPOWERED.

[silk @ Jul 6th 2009 1:27AM]

@Titor: That is just plain ignorant, at least some of the iPhone fanboys do their research. HTC has, for sale right now, a half dozen phones 10x more powerful than the pitiful iPhone and 4x more powerful than the 3GS.

Go here: http://pdadb.net/. Do a search for HTC and compare the recent results feature for feature to any iPhone model and loose your ignorant fanboyism.

Not sure why they puled back on the Android lines, maybe because they targeted them at the current weak US and European markets or the crippled carrier dominated mobile market in the US? I don't know. But do your research.

[andres @ Jul 4th 2009 2:15AM]

"Archos Internet Media Tablet"

"Sadly it doesn't look like its gonna be a phone"


really?

[andres @ Jul 4th 2009 2:15AM]

fix your comment system!!!!!!

[Félix @ Jul 4th 2009 8:14AM]

Lolz

And today Apple releases a new Car, hopefully It will blend !
(because it's a pretty poor car ya know..)

Stupid engadget..

[Absolute92 @ Jul 4th 2009 2:16AM]

If Internet access is its main thing to attract consumers than it would need a sim card for 3g to backup wifi or vise versa.

[Charbax @ Jul 4th 2009 11:25AM]

It'll have built-in HSDPA sim card slot for sure, and WiFi of course.

[lawyer bird @ Jul 4th 2009 2:17AM]

That's great! Just what I wanted! A big ugly device too big for my pocket that I have to carry in addition to a smart phone that doesn't even have a real keyboard with much less function than a netbook for twice the price. Brilliant!

[Anonymoose @ Jul 4th 2009 2:19AM]

but the way you describe that makes it seem like you don't think it's brilliant.

*stares with mouth agape in wide-eyed wonder*

[Imran @ Jul 4th 2009 5:50AM]

So? No one's forcing you to buy it.

[Exile @ Jul 4th 2009 9:42AM]

Some of us just want a decent tablet for a fair price.

[Mr. Smiley @ Jul 4th 2009 10:28AM]

These devices are really meant for lounging around the house or even limited office use, not to take with you everywhere.

[NOCknock @ Jul 4th 2009 3:07PM]

@Mr.Smiley, so what you're saying then is that it's basically useless (lounging around the house and limited office use). Not that I don't agree.

[John Doe @ Jul 4th 2009 2:19AM]

Could have rendered an image of Archos with Android rather than Win7? Is it that tough?

[Anonymoose @ Jul 4th 2009 2:21AM]

don't worry darren, i'll save you!

this is just android running a WM7 skin

there, crisis averted.

[JohnTitor @ Jul 4th 2009 3:07AM]

I'll do one better
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2009/02/2-09-09fandroid.jpg

[Paul @ Jul 4th 2009 3:30AM]

If you watch the video posted at Archos.com about their new lines of hardware, they say that the android power devices will be phones.

[SiXiam @ Jul 4th 2009 4:08AM]

Why would you even want Android if you can get Windows 7 on the thing?

My G1 runs android, but I'd trade it in without a second thought for the ?G4 that can run Windows 7...

[Paul @ Jul 4th 2009 4:31AM]

That's a picture of the Archos 9 which is completely different than the device in question. Check the video at Archos.com. The Internet Media Tablets don't run android, they are actually making phones! I don't understand why engadget can't watch this video and get their facts straight.

[AnnoyingPoster @ Jul 4th 2009 4:22AM]

ok android powered yet you put up a screenshot showing windows 7

dumb blogger is too lazy to photoshop an andoid image over it or just use a pic of the device off

[Paul @ Jul 4th 2009 5:08AM]

The article also mentions the Archos 9 which it states is pictured above. Learn to read.

[bublik @ Jul 4th 2009 4:40AM]

make it 7 %)

[rento @ Jul 4th 2009 5:47AM]

No 3G no deal. You better do it this time Archos!!

[Charbax @ Jul 4th 2009 11:23AM]

It'll have built-in HSDPA for sure.

[Peachy Poofs @ Jul 4th 2009 6:26AM]

Would this be good for taking notes on in class? Or would a regular tablet PC be better since it has a keyboard?

[Peachy Poofs @ Jul 4th 2009 6:33AM]

Oops, this is the 5-inch version. The question was meant for the 9 inch one

[Luis @ Jul 4th 2009 9:25AM]

With the development in phones the large touchscreens and the new chips coming for them soon what is the advantage of buying a PMP, a small tablet or a gps?.

Won't they all be dying markets in less than a year?

[Charbax @ Jul 4th 2009 11:24AM]

Archos is the first company to make a device that does it all.

[marc @ Jul 4th 2009 11:47AM]

stick a green and red button on the front, allow it to make phone calls with a bluetooth headset, and i'm all in. Even better if you could dual boot between android and windows 7. I've been waiting years for HTC (second gen shift), apple (2nd gen newton), or someone to step up and swing one of these suckers out of the park. I know it'll be underpowered and frustrating, but at least i can look at a full sized webpage and still answer calls with it. I suspect archos is moving in this direction exactly because they know thier pmp / dictionary / gps market is about to be cannibalized by netbooks and such.

[Quikboy @ Jul 4th 2009 12:24PM]

What will make Android any better than Windows 7 on a tablet? For now, I'm sticking with Windows 7.

[jamie @ Jul 4th 2009 9:18PM]

Android is much more efficient and less glichy

[Charbax @ Jul 4th 2009 6:57PM]

Android devices can be 2x to 4x cheaper than Windows 7 based devices. Cause Android runs on the much cheaper and lower power ARM Cortex A8 processor platform. Android devices can also be much more compact, lighter and run 2x to 4x longer on a same sized battery. Thus the Android laptop or tablet will run up to 10 or 20 hours on a regular small and light 2-cell or 3-cell laptop battery.

[Quikboy @ Jul 7th 2009 3:18PM]

@Charbox: Even if that's true, is Android completely capable of doing the same task that Windows 7 can? Offer the same functions?

I still can't think of Android being a particularly powerful OS, since I've only seen it run on mobile phones, but then again, I haven't really used it.

[Jamie @ Jul 4th 2009 9:18PM]

this'll cost a lot more than most people would pay, this also will include a data plan for the 3.5g

[loocas @ Jul 4th 2009 4:44PM]

@JohnTitor:

No.

[ccollins00 @ Jul 5th 2009 12:13PM]

awesome

[The Crypticone @ Jul 5th 2009 6:37PM]

I wouldn't mind if Archos released a 7 inch version this then I would really jump on it but what makes this device different the the MID that archos currently have available other then this one that is going to be released in September will have Android installed?