It was
only just allowed out to play, but Archos' five-inch,
Android-sporting internet tablet has been called back in by its fastidious mother, a role played by Amazon in this case. Only the hard drive-based 160GB model is affected at present, with the 32GB version selling as normal and the half terabyte option out of stock already. Charbax of
ArchosFans.com, a man in the know on this subject, has suggested this might have been caused by a firmware update wiping out some pre-installed Android apps, which is now being addressed. His site's forums and Amazon customer reviews, however, paint a different picture: there are consistent complaints about bugs and lock ups -- software issues that could well affect the other models in the line -- with some going so far as to suggest Archos has used its customers as Beta testers. There doesn't appear to be anything structurally wrong with the device, meaning a robust firmware update could remedy all ills, so now it's just a matter of waiting for Archos to do what it should have done before release.
[Via
Pocketables]
Read - Amazon product page
Read - Archos Fans forums
posted October 12th 2009 4:05AM
I use an Archos 5 (the original one) daily, and it just works. I have dropped it numerous times, and it keeps working fortunately. For me, watching video on the Archos 5 is a very pleasant experience, the screen is great for video watching. When I use the iPod touch after watching a video on the Archos, the touch's screen seem puny. I record TV shows to the Archos 5 via the DVR Stand daily, and that feature has worked great. IMO, Archos makes the best PMP for video.
I have experienced Archos tech support, and it is a mixed bag ranging from great to almost painful. Like all devices, the Archos devices have bugs, usually in non-core features like network access. If Archos spent a little more time in cleaning up the existing firmware on current generation devices, they would have the best pmp's available.
I find the resistive screen on the Archos 5 to be fine, no problem with sensitivity, and it records all the inputs on the first try. I did just receive the new Archos 5 Internet Tablet 32GB. When I turned it on, the message to download the updated firmware appeared, and that is the first thing I did. The device seems to be working fine. I have watched videos, used the internet (new browser is great for mobile sites which I prefer on screens < 7"), tried the app store, and downloaded files from a NAS. If you have not downloaded the latest firmware update, I recommend you do since it will probably fix many of the issues.
... or any time thereafter.
Well, I bought an Archos 5 a month ago, and nothing but problems. First there was a bad pixel in the corner, I could live with that. But then the Archos 5 started to freeze and required a reboot, over and over again. The longer I had it the more it froze. Then the wi-fi would not work. Odd that the itouch and N800 didn't have that problem. Then in my anger I 'slightly' hit it and the entire cheap screen broke. Well, then I really lost it and tossed the several hundred dollar device that was only a month old on the floor another 5 times until the whole thing was smashed. This thing was a crap. The last Archos product I will ever buy. Too bad that the product does not match the looks, as I think the Archos 5,7 look great as well as their Archos 9 but the firmware and hardware is bad. Also, in less than a year they will stop supporting the product with updates.
Is there any other device which comes complete with a good sized screen, good battery life, organises your media libraries for you, and can output AV direct to 3RCA?