Archos releases developer edition firmware for Internet Tablets
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted November 28th 2009 11:22AM
posted November 28th 2009 11:22AM
According to a press release dated this morning, Archos is making proof-of-concept "developer edition" firmware available for its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablets. Based on the Angstrom Linux distribution, this is by no means a commercial distro (no multimedia software) but since you're taking it upon yourself to code the next great multimedia / social networking / productivity / time travel app anyways, you don't really want to be bogged down by such pedestrian fare. According to the PR, the company "eagerly anticipates seeing its hardware platform used as a foundation for creating exciting new usage models and applications that the developer community brings." And so do we! Read all about it after the break.
ARCHOS OPENS UP HARDWARE PLATFORM TO DEVELOPERS
Responding to the requests from the software developer community, ARCHOS has opened up its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablet hardware devices by releasing a special developer edition firmware. The firmware is available as a 'proof-of-concept' and does not contain the traditional ARCHOS multimedia software. It is thus by no means a commercial grade release.
It is considered as a starting point for developers interested in building native applications and creating new usage models with the ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 hardware platforms. The firmware provided is based on the Ångström distribution (http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/) generated from a customized open embedded build (http://wiki.openembedded.net/index.php/Main_Page).
Having opened the door to developers, ARCHOS eagerly anticipates seeing its hardware platform used as a foundation for creating exciting new usage models and applications that the developer community brings.
About ARCHOS
ARCHOS introduced the hard-drive-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000, and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company introduced the portable video player in 2003 and was the first to bring TV recording, wireless and touch screens to the portable media player. In 2008, ARCHOS introduced the first Internet Media Tablets, offering consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video, music and television anytime, anywhere. Now, ARCHOS introduce Internet Tablet, PC Tablets, Netbooks and MP3/MP4 Player. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, and is quoted on Compartment C of Euronext Paris, ISIN Code FR0000182479. More information is available online at www.archos.com.
Contact
For further information, please contact: webmaster@archos.com
Responding to the requests from the software developer community, ARCHOS has opened up its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablet hardware devices by releasing a special developer edition firmware. The firmware is available as a 'proof-of-concept' and does not contain the traditional ARCHOS multimedia software. It is thus by no means a commercial grade release.
It is considered as a starting point for developers interested in building native applications and creating new usage models with the ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 hardware platforms. The firmware provided is based on the Ångström distribution (http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/) generated from a customized open embedded build (http://wiki.openembedded.net/index.php/Main_Page).
Having opened the door to developers, ARCHOS eagerly anticipates seeing its hardware platform used as a foundation for creating exciting new usage models and applications that the developer community brings.
About ARCHOS
ARCHOS introduced the hard-drive-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000, and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company introduced the portable video player in 2003 and was the first to bring TV recording, wireless and touch screens to the portable media player. In 2008, ARCHOS introduced the first Internet Media Tablets, offering consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video, music and television anytime, anywhere. Now, ARCHOS introduce Internet Tablet, PC Tablets, Netbooks and MP3/MP4 Player. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, and is quoted on Compartment C of Euronext Paris, ISIN Code FR0000182479. More information is available online at www.archos.com.
Contact
For further information, please contact: webmaster@archos.com
I still like my 605
@Spensar
giddyup giddyup 4-0-niineeeeee
Would they still charge for plugins with this suppose "new direction" of "true openness"?
My Archos 5 IMT still awaits Android love...
@xirsteon Because Archos has to pay per-device royalties for the codecs.
@xirsteon I too would love Android on my little 5.
I'd like the Watchmen in the picture better.
The Watchmen is a great story, but Alex Ross' JLA work is some of the finest art in comics.
I just got one of the Archos Android Internet Tablets (16GB version) and I really like it.
There are a few small issues (poor subtitle support in .mkv files) but other than that the device is sweet. The browser is fast and capable, it supports a ton of file types, and I like being able to download Android widgets and apps. Hopefully this release of the firmware will open things up on the app side and we'll see more apps specifically for these tablets.
In recent weeks several hacks/exploits have been published allowing root access to the IMTs, and also allowing firmwares to be downgraded at will (useful because older firmwares have more vulnerabilities).
So really I think Archos has just decided to do the simplest thing (open the device) and claim credit for the idea, rather than waste resources in a cat/mouse firmware battle with the hackers.
There is still a market for these clunky overpriced identity-challenged devices?
@ctyrider
It's better than the ipod touch and better than the Zune and iphone. Anyone with the minimum of technical knowledge (geek, Engadget reader) and who has heard about Archos is very likely to choose Archos over the tiny screen, tiny resolution and under-featured overpriced Apple hardware.
Companies like Archos have to work with several restrictions when opening the firmware and allowing to install alternative versions. The following points are likely to have kept Archos from taking this step so far:
1. Developers or enthusiasts may brick their devices with unsupported firmware and then rely on Archos support to fix the problem.
2. The hardware contains DRM keys that must not be exposed to alternative firmware versions. These keys may get deleted in an unrecoverable way upon installing the developer version. Make sure to read the fine print before installing.
3. The firmware and codecs may include licensed code that can not be made open source.
4. The firmware and codecs may contain code that requires per-device royalties and can not be allowed to be moved to other devices.
That being said, the work that the Rockbox team did on the old Archos devices was great. I hope that something similar comes up on the new ones.
@jeti
Many of their IMT's were sold without an in-house warranty. Fixing a bricked unit runs just under $200, which is money in Archos's pockets.
Alex Ross' artwork on the screen! In my humble geek opinion he's the best comic book illustrator ever.
Warning it is a mistake.
This opening, does that Archos 5 and 7 (Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet). This does not concern "Archos 5 Internet Tablet" last generation.
I went through 3 (only thing I have EVER bought a replacement plan on). The last two never left my house and still had all their original stickers, original screen covers, etc. The CSR was amazed that it came back in such good shape. I had two options, get a new 605, or get a gift card. I used it to get a HP Mini 110. Overall i was happy with the 605 160gb, and I would have tested this out.
Yes, this is only for now for last year's Archos 5-inch and 7-inch Internet Media Tablets.
The cool thing about that is that even though this is only for last year's models, they are now super cheap, the 250GB 5-inch version is $199 on Amazon and the 160GB 7-inch version is $209.
I wonder if you need a $30 plug-in to view html files.
I am really hoping they get it right this time. I think this is a perfect sized device to brows the internet while in bed or while traveling.
I'm a bit slow...why are the JLA on the screen?
They probably just realized that they suck at making software for their devices
Ugh i just saw one of these in Best Buy, the resistive screen sucks. It would take off if it were capacitive.
Wrong picture. The Archos 5(original) is the one that Archos released the developer firmware for. However, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it. Took a few months of jailbreaks and threats before they complied.
However, installing this firmware instantly voids the warranty and makes it impossible to play DRM protected files on your device ever again.
Why does Wonder Woman look like my grandma dressed up as a man in a leotard?
@JT88
that's where the "wonder" comes in
@JT88
Because that IS your grandma dressed up as a man in a leotard!