Archos 5 gets Android 1.6 update, for real this time
By Donald Melanson 
posted January 21st 2010 12:23PM
posted January 21st 2010 12:23PM
Archos disappointed quite a few users last month by pushing out an Android 1.6 (a.k.a. "Donut") update for its Archos 5 internet tablet only to yank it shortly thereafter due to a "last-minute major issue," but it now looks like it's finally set things right -- the update is once again available for download, and it apparently works just fine this time. Among other things, the update optimizes applications for the Archos 5's high resolution screen, and adds features like Quick Search to help you find music, contacts and other information more easily. Hit up the link below for all the necessary upgrade details.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
This is still another example of the new category of handheld computers that we believe should be called "TABSLATES" Larger than a IPHONE and smaller than a LAPTOP. This is the new category that will totally change the way we get our information...
The tabslates are coming....the tabslates are coming....
@kmattlin I might take it down off the shelf and use it now
@kmattlin
Yeah great so we can now also call these things
Tablets, Slates, UMPCs, MP4 Players, PDAs, MIDs, Smartbooks, Multi Media Players, PMP etc
@kmattlin
The HTC HD2 falls into that category though some say it's a little too large to be a smartphone. I think it's a nice size.
@kmattlin Yes and the typical size ranges from 5-10 inch. Probably, called under the limelight of a different name. It is not certain if Archos will use their own software to play the media or if they will choose to use Windows Media Center. They will have to work fast in order to get it ready, as they do not want any problems due to them rushing the decision, This model has a good resemblance over Archos 9. Details: http://bit.ly/archos-9-pmp-details
Just in time for 2.1 to be released everywhere else?
@NXTwoThou
Quick, quick, become a programmer! Get Archos up to par on updates! Come on man, they're not a really big company in all honesty. I don't see them anywhere except Best Buy. And all their tabslates are pretty much carbon copies of each other, save the OS changes (optional.) Let em blow up big to the point you see them in commercials across the globe before you put the poor guys down.
@NXTwoThou you serious?
Archos is a far smaller company than google and you're taking a shit on Archos for taking their time and building up from the bottom to fix bugs at the best of their ability while Google released the nexus one with more problems than any other android device.
@NXTwoThou Android 1.6 is way better than Android 1.5 because it supports large screen out-of-the-box and it have all the latest apps including Google Navigation ...
Android 2.1 is better than Android 1.6, but it's not that kind of deal-breaker.
BTW, the number of devices with Android 2.1 is not that big today ...
http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html
Archos is a small French company trying to compete with the big Apple and their products are great but the less sexy.
Most of all, they don't have the same marketing budget...
@gpmoo7
This won't receive the Google apps. It won't get the navigation. It doesn't even do Gmail or Android Market.
Fix that, and I'll buy. Though a capacitive screen wouldn't hurt, it isn't necessary.
@BigJayDogg3 Of course it does gmail. Just set up the built in email client!
@BigJayDogg3 Archos now supports the full Google Marketplace through a hack you can see my video for how to install it at http://armdevices.net/2010/01/21/google-marketplace-on-archos-5-internet-tablet-with-android-using-hack-on-firmware-1-7-33/
@Chuck Dugan
That's not Gmail integration. Look at most Android smartphones. They have both the "Email" application along with the "Gmail" application.
kmattlin, I like the way you think. Tabslates, ahoy! I nearly bought one of these instead of the iPod touch. Guess I shoulda done it, just for kicks, and latest android updates. (For a non-phone device, anyway.)
This is pure glory.
Meh, if only all android devices had the same media capabilities of the Archos. It's sad really what the platform has become, this device limited to this, that one limited to this navigation, this one has multitouch in the browser, this one doesn't, this one is only available in XYZ country -- so glad I didn't drink the Android coolaid and actually get an Android based phone. The media players are a little bit better, but there is still so much broken. Does this device even have access to the Android marketplace? What a joke, too much confusion.
@(Unverified) Nope, you have to hack the device to enable the Android Market. By default it uses Archos' own counterpart which has only a fraction of the applications the official one has.
@(Unverified)
They sure do have access to the market.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/28/archos-5-gets-android-market-gmail-and-maps-for-that-google-ble/
@MikeZ however the reason it doesn't have marketplace is google's fault.
@RickStar
Isn't it illegal to re-distribute Google owned apps without their permission? Why doesn't google just make a section for the marketplace for non-phone devices? My point is that Android is poorly governed (especially for non-phone or non "with google" devices) -- there is too much control in some areas, and not enough control in other areas. Perhaps it will mature over time to a more well-rounded ecosystem, where all devices can run the same software, etc (like how windows mobile is, except without a base system that hasn't been updated in 15 years).
@(Unverified)
Sorry to comment spam (wish engadget had an EDIT function), but adding to my previous comment...I think this would give way to more Android based Tablets, Netbooks and PMPs (which I personally would LOVE to see more of). If they could all have access to the android marketplace, and come equipped with the Google apps we know and love (Navigation, etc.), then I'm sure many people would consider switching from Windows based netbooks and tablets, and even the future iShit tablet. They would probably consume less power as well since they are ARM based. Even the best CULV can't compete with CorTex A9 and the OMAP4.
OMAP4 Android based tablet \ netbook \ PMP please With navigation and android marketpace access!
I clicked around on the specs page to see if there actually was a GPS chip in there (there's a GPS icon on that screen), the specs say nothing about one. If it did, I'd probably want one.
@abecfive Archos site:
"For the 3rd year in a row, ARCHOS has equipped its flagship device with an optional GPS Navigation solution. But it’s a completely new experience. For starters, the GPS is built directly into the device. This means that you don’t need to be tied to a windshield. You can use it as a pedestrian, or in adventure mode. There are also numerous 3D landmarks, which truly transform the journey you are taking into a whole new experience. "
ADVENTURE MODE
@abecfive it does include a GPS chip, I've tried it personally although it takes a long time to lock on so you might want to turn the GPS app on 10 minutes or so before you leave.
@ANDZT My bad, I was looking at the archos 5 page, not the archos 5 internet tablet page...
(sits in corner)
@(Unverified) The GPS works perfectly and instantly now with the new firmware and for example in the Google Maps 3.3.1 application. So now we just need to wait for a perfect Google Maps with Navigation and with WiFi caching of whole cities (and Archos can store up to 500GB so storage should not be a problem).
I have the Linux based 5, and love it. Wish I could load Android on it. YouTube vids play really well on it. 160G for $200 was not too shabby either.
@joelaf you might be able to load ubuntu for arm on it although it could be a bit slow.
ಠ_ಠ
I'm looking at you Samsung.
man, when i first snagged this device up I was having second thoughts. It was pretty finicky, I haven't experienced anything in the way of a hiccup since the last 1.4.25 update..Donut looks pretty good. Though after the update last night, I'm left to re-install all those damn APK's to up my app catalog again. Market hack is really easy, and WELL worth it. My A5 IMT feels soo crippled without market right now. Can't wait to get home and ADB that sucker back to my Archos...P.S. there are other Navigation apps that work pretty well..I've been using CoPilot Live...great navi choice considering the lack of a data connection on the road...Next to do is get my bluetooth tethering up!
I got the archos 5 internet tablet two months ago and couldnt be more happier. back then the firmware was pretty stable but it did freeze a couple of times. after installing task killer i realized that the reason it was freezing was bc there were a lot of unnecesary apps running in the background. since i started using task killer, i have had 0 crashes in 1 month. I updated my archos to donut yesterday and i gotta say its pretty responsive, its snappier, and amazing. i did the market hack and now i have the google experience and the android market. This machine can't be beat for multimedia and internet browsing. Even if apple comes out with an tablet or slate, it won't have the hdd capacity that the archos has nor cost as inexpensive as the archos. Does that mean that i wouldn't by the new apple tablet? not at all, i love buying the latest and greatest and for me right now, its the archos 5. God, i sound like a salesman.
So can it now kill iPod touch?
Exactly no. Reason y Americans won't touch this.
Will definitely stay on the other side Of the pond.
@logic thinker it is far better than the iPod touch in everything except for paid applications.
I sense a fanboy alert starting...
hmmm...I'm an American...so it seems to have found its way here already..albeit, it doesn't have the following of ipod touch, it still preforms very well compared to a touch..and as far as movies and web browsing..I'd say this is par or better, considering the larger screen. Plus, I usually DL HD video in .zip and .rar files directly to this, extract, and watch HD video. I don't know if the touch can accomplish this, but i find it morbidly convenient
@waemun im also american and bought this from best buy, so you im with you bro.
@das boot
I went to check it out at best buy, because I had heard they were getting them in. No demo out, all they had was in box and under the counter. what a shame. you have the HDD or SSD? I got the 32GB..
@waemun My local BestBuy had a working demo out last week, so keep checking. I had no idea it was there, I just happened to see it as I was walking through and I must say, I'm very impressed. It is awesome for watching movies on. Thinking of getting one just for that.
I used to have one but hated the lockups and crashes
@Kiwi
the A5A has gotten a lot better, it was finicky when i got it, but now it is really stable, even w/ the market hack installed. I'm waiting to get mine back to full potential so i can give this new 1.7.33 firmware a pretty good spin.
still way too expensive to justify buying this. amazon starts them off at $379 US
@willowtwf
They have the 8gb at radioshack for $249 http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3843254
Damn why did they have to ruin it by putting crappy Android on it?