Mine arrived last night, and so far, I've been disappointed. First problem is that only a few of the apps appeared on the screen. I had to find a post on the forums for how to re-install the AppsLib app to my computer, then transfer that to the device and install manually so that I could download other applications. Once you get into the AppsLib, you find that there aren't that many Android apps available, not even the Facebook app. This is because Archos only allows apps that will display on the larger format device.
Second big disappointment was no GMail app. That's right, it's an Android device without GMail. There's also no Contacts or Calendar sync going on here, either. I have no idea why they would strip these functions out of the OS, especially considering that's one of the main reasons I wanted the thing. Why sell and Android device that doesn't integrate with the Google ecosystem?
As a PMP it does seem pretty good. I was able to easily sync my movies, songs and pictures with Windows Media Player without a hitch and they all show up nicely on the device. It is also very slim and light (I have the 32GB version), but at the same time doesn't feel like it will break in my pocket.
Over all, I'm not impressed and am considering returning it. I really don't understand why they have taken away so much functionality from the Android system, especially since that is what I was looking forward to the most.
Well now that donut has been released, the 800x480 screen res will probably be the new android standard, meaning you will get more apps. have you tried manually installing the stock market (you can find it online) and seeing what happens. Or the stock gmail app? Go on an android forum, and ask someone to pull the .apk files for you.
No google apps because its not a "google experience" device. Android is open source ooperating system for any device u can get it to run on. Android does not include the Google Apps. Ask Cryogen.
Archos has not "stripped out" Gmail and other Google apps.
Google has simply not yet released Gmail, Maps and the other Google android apps optimized for 800x480 screens.
But since Android 1.6 was just released 2 weeks ago, expect Google to release those apps to work on Archos soon.
Also consider that Archos supports 1280x720 output to a HDTV using HDMI, Google may want to adapt their apps to that output resolution as well.
As for installing other apps, you can download the .apk files and double click on them to install them. Many do work even if they are yet only optimized for 480x320 screens.
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Mine arrived last night, and so far, I've been disappointed. First problem is that only a few of the apps appeared on the screen. I had to find a post on the forums for how to re-install the AppsLib app to my computer, then transfer that to the device and install manually so that I could download other applications. Once you get into the AppsLib, you find that there aren't that many Android apps available, not even the Facebook app. This is because Archos only allows apps that will display on the larger format device.
Second big disappointment was no GMail app. That's right, it's an Android device without GMail. There's also no Contacts or Calendar sync going on here, either. I have no idea why they would strip these functions out of the OS, especially considering that's one of the main reasons I wanted the thing. Why sell and Android device that doesn't integrate with the Google ecosystem?
As a PMP it does seem pretty good. I was able to easily sync my movies, songs and pictures with Windows Media Player without a hitch and they all show up nicely on the device. It is also very slim and light (I have the 32GB version), but at the same time doesn't feel like it will break in my pocket.
Over all, I'm not impressed and am considering returning it. I really don't understand why they have taken away so much functionality from the Android system, especially since that is what I was looking forward to the most.
Well now that donut has been released, the 800x480 screen res will probably be the new android standard, meaning you will get more apps. have you tried manually installing the stock market (you can find it online) and seeing what happens. Or the stock gmail app? Go on an android forum, and ask someone to pull the .apk files for you.
jkontherun thinks that the lack of camera/compass are responsible for the app store restrictions...
http://jkontherun.com/2009/10/08/android-market-camera-compass-required/
No google apps because its not a "google experience" device. Android is open source ooperating system for any device u can get it to run on. Android does not include the Google Apps. Ask Cryogen.
Archos has not "stripped out" Gmail and other Google apps.
Google has simply not yet released Gmail, Maps and the other Google android apps optimized for 800x480 screens.
But since Android 1.6 was just released 2 weeks ago, expect Google to release those apps to work on Archos soon.
Also consider that Archos supports 1280x720 output to a HDTV using HDMI, Google may want to adapt their apps to that output resolution as well.
As for installing other apps, you can download the .apk files and double click on them to install them. Many do work even if they are yet only optimized for 480x320 screens.