Archos 7 Home Tablet ships to Android lovers in June
By Joanna Stern 
posted May 6th 2010 11:00AM
posted May 6th 2010 11:00AM
ARCHOS BRINGS THE FIRST LARGE SCREEN ANDROID-BASED TABLET UNDER $200
ARCHOS Introduces the first Android Home Tablet with a 7 inch touch screen, Web browser,
High Definition Video and Android Applications, taking home portability to a whole new
level.
Denver, May 6th, 2010 – ARCHOS, a top innovator in the portable media market announced today the new ARCHOS 7 home tablet that combines the best of web browsing, multimedia, live information, social networking and Apps, and testifies to ARCHOS' strategy of offering innovative electronic products with extremely competitive pricing.
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet sees the debut of the first large-screen Android-based tablet. Bridging the gap between the Smartphone and the desktop PC, the ARCHOS 7 provides always-on access to the web, email, photo, video and a dedicated library of Android Apps enabling users to customise the device to their lifestyle.
The stylish ARCHOS 7 home tablet, sports a high resolution 7 inch touch screen (800x480) and a super slim form factor at just .47 of an inch thick. Weighing in at 0.8lb, it is extremely portable and can be used in any room of the home. With built-in Wi-Fi, users can connect to a home network while on the move throughout the house. The USB connection makes transferring files from a PC, digital camera or other digital devices very simple. The ARCHOS 7 is also a low-power consumption device providing seven hours of video playback or 44 hours of music on a single charge.
"The ARCHOS 7 is great for the whole family. Anyone can use the ARCHOS 7 to stay up to date on email, news and weather, catch up on TV shows, get the recipe of the day or update a social media profile," said Henri Crohas, ARCHOS Chief Executive Officer. "This tablet is just perfect for times when a Smartphone is not enough and a computer just too much."
Multimedia showcase
With a large 7" high resolution touch screen (800x480), the ARCHOS 7 home tablet has been specifically developed with multimedia in mind. The home tablet provides the best HD movie viewing experience (at 720p) in the kitchen, bedroom, living room or garden. Its brilliant screen makes it a high-quality photo display. The ARCHOS 7 can easily replace your radio with its on-board MP3 player and access to the free music streaming service, Deezer.
Apps to meet all lifestyles
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet comes with a selection of pre-installed Apps ready for use including the popular eBuddy instant messaging app, Aldiko for downloading and reading thousands of books, DailyPaper for viewing your favorite newspaper and much more. Users also have the option to customize their home tablet by downloading their favorite App.
AppsLib offers unlimited access to free and paid Apps developed specifically for the large 7- inch touch screen display of the ARCHOS 7. With a range of apps available to fit any lifestyle, the ARCHOS 7 can easily become an ebook reader, give access to cooking recipes, news, weather and games, and provide recommendations on theatres or restaurants.
Communication and connectivity
With Wi-Fi on board, the ARCHOS 7 home tablet easily connects to a home network and gives you constant access to the Internet. Its high-resolution, 7-inch touch screen, allows consumers to surf the Web in full width, send email, tweets or update Facebook pages as if they were surfing on their home PC. Download your personal applications from Appslib and the ARCHOS 7 home tablet will become the perfect tablet for the entire family.
Pricing and Availability
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet will be available in June at $199.99 SRP through selected retailers. Exclusive pre-orders are available at Amazon.com, with product shipping mid May. Order information and customer support details are available from our website: www.archos.com.
# # #
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. The ARCHOS Internet Media Tablet and PCtablet offer consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video, music and television anytime, anywhere. 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.
ARCHOS Introduces the first Android Home Tablet with a 7 inch touch screen, Web browser,
High Definition Video and Android Applications, taking home portability to a whole new
level.
Denver, May 6th, 2010 – ARCHOS, a top innovator in the portable media market announced today the new ARCHOS 7 home tablet that combines the best of web browsing, multimedia, live information, social networking and Apps, and testifies to ARCHOS' strategy of offering innovative electronic products with extremely competitive pricing.
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet sees the debut of the first large-screen Android-based tablet. Bridging the gap between the Smartphone and the desktop PC, the ARCHOS 7 provides always-on access to the web, email, photo, video and a dedicated library of Android Apps enabling users to customise the device to their lifestyle.
The stylish ARCHOS 7 home tablet, sports a high resolution 7 inch touch screen (800x480) and a super slim form factor at just .47 of an inch thick. Weighing in at 0.8lb, it is extremely portable and can be used in any room of the home. With built-in Wi-Fi, users can connect to a home network while on the move throughout the house. The USB connection makes transferring files from a PC, digital camera or other digital devices very simple. The ARCHOS 7 is also a low-power consumption device providing seven hours of video playback or 44 hours of music on a single charge.
"The ARCHOS 7 is great for the whole family. Anyone can use the ARCHOS 7 to stay up to date on email, news and weather, catch up on TV shows, get the recipe of the day or update a social media profile," said Henri Crohas, ARCHOS Chief Executive Officer. "This tablet is just perfect for times when a Smartphone is not enough and a computer just too much."
Multimedia showcase
With a large 7" high resolution touch screen (800x480), the ARCHOS 7 home tablet has been specifically developed with multimedia in mind. The home tablet provides the best HD movie viewing experience (at 720p) in the kitchen, bedroom, living room or garden. Its brilliant screen makes it a high-quality photo display. The ARCHOS 7 can easily replace your radio with its on-board MP3 player and access to the free music streaming service, Deezer.
Apps to meet all lifestyles
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet comes with a selection of pre-installed Apps ready for use including the popular eBuddy instant messaging app, Aldiko for downloading and reading thousands of books, DailyPaper for viewing your favorite newspaper and much more. Users also have the option to customize their home tablet by downloading their favorite App.
AppsLib offers unlimited access to free and paid Apps developed specifically for the large 7- inch touch screen display of the ARCHOS 7. With a range of apps available to fit any lifestyle, the ARCHOS 7 can easily become an ebook reader, give access to cooking recipes, news, weather and games, and provide recommendations on theatres or restaurants.
Communication and connectivity
With Wi-Fi on board, the ARCHOS 7 home tablet easily connects to a home network and gives you constant access to the Internet. Its high-resolution, 7-inch touch screen, allows consumers to surf the Web in full width, send email, tweets or update Facebook pages as if they were surfing on their home PC. Download your personal applications from Appslib and the ARCHOS 7 home tablet will become the perfect tablet for the entire family.
Pricing and Availability
The ARCHOS 7 home tablet will be available in June at $199.99 SRP through selected retailers. Exclusive pre-orders are available at Amazon.com, with product shipping mid May. Order information and customer support details are available from our website: www.archos.com.
# # #
About ARCHOS
ARCHOS introduced the hard-drive-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000, and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company introduced the portable video player in 2003 and was the first to bring TV recording, wireless and touch screens to the portable media player. The ARCHOS Internet Media Tablet and PCtablet offer consumers uncompromised access to the Internet, movies, photos, video, music and television anytime, anywhere. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia, and is quoted on Compartment C of Euronext Paris, ISIN Code FR0000182479. More information is available online at www.archos.com.
No access to Android's marketplace??
@Atkins
If it's anything like other Archos devices, it's a simple matter to install the full Android Market.
@Atkins
That's how all Archos' products are.
It's pretty stupid if you ask me, but as said, there are hacks to install it.
@DoctarPeppar Well, yes maybe it's a "simple hack" but how many not-geek users are going to do this?
The question here is: why doesn't archos include the store in the first place?
@bnutzinger it's actually google restricting the market to a certain range of devices to which the archos stuff does not belong
Why Archos is not doing a real iPad killer?
I will definitely pay 500$ for a iPad-like with Android and Archos video stuffs.
For $249.99 you can get the Archos 5" 8 GB which works better.
Archos, please, let's make a real iPad-killer running Android. Thx
Because Archos isn't an official member of the Open Handset Alliance.
@mp3
But APK for the Marketplace exists, at least for the Archos 5 so there is a workaround.
@mp3
From my understanding, there are different levels of Android licensing, some are free and some are not. Android is still controlled by Google, whether you believe it or not, it's not really an open source platform. It's just that Google is willing to share it, with conditions and mostly supports its own agenda.
@bnutzinger Installing the market really is simple. Some people may not do it but it's as simple as putting a file on the device and opening it. The Tablet does the rest. At least that's how it was for my Archos 5 Android
@Andrew Lan
How is Android not an open source platform? The source code for all the base functionality of Android is all open source. This is the only reason why Archos can build this tablet.
It is the Google branded apps like Market, Maps, Gmail, etc that need to be licensed. And given they use the Google trademark, it makes sense why they have to be licensed.
@jakey Exactly right. Android OS is an open OS. It's the features people seem to be associating with Android (i.e. Market and Google appls) that aren't open and not the OS.
@gpmoo7
Android needs a better browser. The one on the Achos 5 sucks mightily.
OTOH, there is just no comparing the amount of storage you get on an Archos to an Apple. For me having an iPod/iPhone/iPad is entirely optional. I WILL have a big fat Archos regardless of what other "sparkly" devices I do or don't have.
The family is too used to the amount of stuff an Archos can hold.
Yes, the iPad is missing about 200G of storage space.
@Atkins Surprisingly, it doesn't have any. Hopefully there's a hack for that. Anyway, its good to see that finally this archos device will be for sale and will not remain on brochures only. http://j.mp/archos-7-tablets-reactions
@Atkins
Three Huge Issues, Resistive (for that sole reason im not getting it), android 1.6 what?! the G1 can do better, and no market place.... its pretty much not android then
Android 1.2?
1.2? Talk about being obsolete before launch. Archos should trash this while they still can.
@LANjackal 1.6. Has been fixed.
@Joanna Stern Thanks for the edit, but that's not going to help the device's appeal. Not with 2.1 already out and 2.2 around the corner.
guessing they mean 2.1
Sorry for typo. It is 1.6.
Why 1.6? Assuming a user lifespan of 2 years thats probably about 30 months we'll have 1.6 in the wild. I know Archos isn't the only one failing to move to 2.1, but they are perpetuating a crappy situation. Developers will need to continue coding for multiple android platforms.
@shep I understand why everyone is worried about the Android fragmentation but it really isn't that big of a deal. Developers just code with the lowest SDK that they want their app to work with and it will be compatible with the newer versions.
There is some functionality on the newer SDKs that you would be missing out on, but for the most part, 1.6 gets the job done.
Just because you write an app with 1.6 does not mean it won't work with 2.1.
What's the point of including Aldiko if this thing doesn't have an accelerometer? I'm really tempted though, but I'll wait and read the reviews. If an internal install of Android for the SmartQ 7 shows up I'd take that over the Archos 7, at least the SmartQ 7 supports screen rotation.
@Dinochicken The SmartQ V7 has that. Beta Android 2.1 has been released too. Works like a dream.
@p0p0
Yep I know about the V7, but the Q does the job for me with just FBReader installed. There's also a community developed internal install of Android for the SmartQ 5, but none yet for the SmartQ 7. Which is weird because this is something Smart Devices could easily do.
This looks promising, hopefully this manages some decent video playback (preferably some .mkv packing x264 720p video) and a good internet browser...
I really liked my Archos 504, although it was a brick...
@Sunweb Why would you want 720p video playback? The screen resolution is only 800x480.
@Dreamwriter If he is like me, he probably has a ton of ripped movies or torrented TV series in HD format. It's a pain to re-encode videos in mp4 with a lower bitrate and resolution just to fit on my old iPod Video, so I don't even bother with it anymore
Resistive screen, Android 1.6, and no marketplace. This device already failed before its even released.
@MrX8503
You can install the Android market (although I agree it is the stupidest thing not to include it in the first place..)
Archos has this tendancy to not understand marketing at all.
They never have and never will if you ask me.
Something tells me this won't meet expectations
Apple is probably trembling in fear right now...
I currently own the Archos 5 IT, and I love it so far.
@mp3 I too own the Archos 5 IT (32GB), and it's OK.
A little unstable on the OS side, and those missing buttons do mean that you loose some screen space. Hacking the Market on is doable - I've done it, yet the lack of hardware buttons & large screen size means some Android 1.6 apps have issues with it - I gather Android 2.0 resolved app resolution issues.
Despite numerous OS updates since I bought it ( on launch ), I just don't trust it 100%, and never know if it will have any battery when I pick it up as sometimes it decides to keep some program sucking the life out of it (unlike my other devices).
It needs too much tinkering - and it's not the OS, as I've just picked up a (admitedly faster) htc desire, and now know what the Android (2.1) experience is supposed to be like - VASTLY different.
Alas, the htc droid does not have the media features of the Archos, so you win with one hand, and loose with the other.
I want a device to just work, so I can spend time using it, rather than maintaining it with task killers, reconnection problems, etc.
Give the Archos a proper screen, a solid Android 2.1/2.2 release, and you'll have a total winner.
Not holding my breath on that though, which is why (here in UK) I've just pre-ordered an iP*d
I own an Archos 605 Wifi 30gb. Unfortunately I didnt realise when I bought it, that I had to pay for all the 'Add-Ons' (Hell It's 30 bucks for the browser add-on to go online.) Do I have to pay extra for all the 'Add On' crap here also to utilize the full feature set? If so... F*** Archos
@necwarrior
Most add-ons are available on the AppsLib, and you still can install the Android Market.
Still, if you don't need any add-ons, a $199 tablet seems pretty reasonable to me.
@mp3
You don't need to pay for those add ons with the Archos 5 Android, so I doubt you would here either.
You have to buy the HD Cinema package for WMV HD and MPEG2 file format. The GPS software isn't free either.
Blech. Resistive touch, no android market, no thanks.
Archos products aren't for everyone (nor is any one company's products). I have 2 and love them.
@joelaf
Your arms look a little chubby, but I'd still hit it.
I was interested in this device when I first heard about it, but my interest has been waning with every new preview or spec or press release. The demo videos of it don't suggest that it's very quick or responsive, and the fact that it doesn't have some basic hardware features that should be in a tablet just make it a non-starter. The lack of an up-to-date Android OS suggests that it's hobbled out of the gate and not likely to get better over time, and the exclusion of Android Marketplace does away with the main advantage of Android in the first place.
I'll wait for other, more promising tablets. I'll even wait until there's a 7" $200 iPad if I have to.
Be very wary of Archos products and their (lack of) support!!
I used to have the Archos 704 WiFi tablet. Archos never provided a newer version of the Opera web browser, even though the version on the machine would crash frequently and would fail to render many, many web pages. All support questions were answered with things like: "Maybe in the future..." They NEVER did provide a fix for their browser, they just introduced the next generation of products, ignoring all their current customers.
STAY AWAY FROM ANY ARCHOS PRODUCT - it will become obsolete almost instantly and you will never get any of the bugs in it fixed.
Archos introduces new products and fails to support/enhance the version you already have. You will be throwing away your money.
Stick with "name brand" companies and stay away from Archos.
@Herters1893
Archos has been providing constant bugfixes on the Archos 5 IT since it's release, and there is a possibility of seeing it updated to Android 2.1 before the end of the year according to Frandroid (sorry, french website)
http://www.frandroid.com/14137/android-2-2-froyo-sera-presente-le-19-mai/
@weatherman Goto Best Buy and try the smaller Archos 5 with Android. Its surprisingly a joy to use. I haven't bought it, but I've played with it at Best Buy.
@mp3 Good thing I speak and read French, but I'll translate for now... I do want this, it's the only Android tablet I've seen that I like...
I was kind of hopeful but I really don't think this is going to cut it. I guess for $200 it has its place but the interface needs work, i'm sure it will lag, resistive screen, not enough res for a 7" screen, no marketplace, i'm sure it not be well supported either for upgrading...
"Still, we know the $199.99 tablet sounds tempting, but our review should be up in the next few days. In other words, you should probably hold off on sliding that credit card out -- after all, she ain't shipping 'til June. "
For the intellectually and or reading comprehension challenged, this is code for "don't buy it, it sucks"
played with the Archos 5 with Android the other day for about 15 minutes. most of that time was spent tapping over and over and over again to get the screen to respond.
unless the 7 has a huge upgrade in screen tech the upcoming engadget review is going to be painful.