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Archos reveals Android-powered TV Connect, puts Play store on your big screen

There are plenty of ways to get Android on your TV -- from smartphone docks, to dongles and even the officially sanctioned Google TV. But most of them are missing something, be it a simple way to control them or access to the full Play store. Archos is aiming to solve those conundrums with its new TV Connect, an Android computer, complete with HD camera and a handheld remote with a pair pointer sticks used to simulate a multitouch screen. Under the hood is a 1.5GHz "multi core" CPU, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable storage. For networking you can go old school and plug in an Ethernet line or lose the cables and rely on WiFi. The remote has more control options than you could possibly desire crammed in a form factor that's more than a little reminiscent of a certain failed Atari console. In addition to the pair of pointer sticks, there's a full QWERTY keypad, a directional pad, four game buttons, the standard Android keys and volume controls -- not to mention you can move an onscreen cursor simply by pointing the remote at your TV.

The strongest selling point of the TV Connect, however, is its unfettered access to the Google Play store. That means its vast repositories of music, movies and TV shows are available to you but, more importantly, so are the hundreds of thousands of apps like Netflix, Google Talk and Skype. The Jelly Bean running set top box will be hitting shelves in February for $130. For a bit more check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

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ARCHOS Unveils TV connect – Future Ready your Existing TV – First and Only Multi-Touch for Android on TV

ARCHOS TV Connect features a multi-gesture TV Touch remote with game control mapping and an HD camera for video calls

To be debuted at CES 2013, LVCC Central Hall Booth # 15322

Denver, CO – January 03, 2013 - ARCHOS, a pioneer in multimedia portable devices, is pleased to announce the ARCHOS TV connect, the only multi-touch "AndroidTM on TV experience" for your apps and games. The ARCHOS TV connect turns any HDTV into an Android powered smart TV providing the full Android ecosystem with a specially designed TV Touch remote.

The TV connect allows you to control your TV just like a tablet - tap, swipe, zoom in, zoom out, select or type. With the TV connect users will be able to play games, stream videos, video chat in HD, email friends or surf the web all from their big screen TV. The ARCHOS TV connect runs Android 4.1TM 'Jelly Bean' and will be available starting in February, 2013 for $129.99.

"As a pioneer in multimedia Android devices, we wanted to create a bigger, better way to enjoy Android," says Henri Crohas, Founder and CEO of ARCHOS. "The ARCHOS TV connect provides users with a multi-touch, multi-media Smart TV experience powered by AndroidTM."

Revolutionary TV Touch remote - A smartly designed remote for every task
Pointer – Allows you to control your TV just like you would your tablet with a tapping and/or swiping motion

Full multi-touch gesture support - Control your apps easily with zoom in, zoom out and rotate with ARCHOS developed unique gesture controls

Full keyboard with Android shortcuts - The TV touch remote includes a full keyboard and Android shortcut keys including a key for voice controls and voice typing

Play Android Games on your TV - Critically acclaimed games at your fingertips
Thousands of games available on your TV – Choose from over 700,000 apps and games on Google PlayTM

Dual thumb sticks and buttons - Play all your favorite games with full gaming controls and dual analog thumbsticks

ARCHOS Gaming Mapping Tool – Map the controls of games to the buttons and controllers of the remote for playing virtually any game on your TV – as recently introduced on the GamePad

Turn your TV into a Smart TV - Get a full web experience on your current HDTV
Internet - Surf on the net from a big screen

Online video streaming – Stream videos directly on your TV through YouTubeTM, Daily motion and other video applications

Emails – Send and receive emails or share photos from your Facebook page with friends

HD video calls - Connect with a group of friends or family members on a big screen

HD webcam - ARCHOS TV connect is equipped with an HD webcam for High quality video calling

LED notification – LED lights notify you when you have an incoming calls while watching TV

Compatibility with all popular video calling apps - Video chatting with Skype or Google TalkTM as a family from your sofa has never been easier

Multimedia Player - The ARCHOS TV connect includes the critically acclaimed ARCHOS Media Center applications so you can finally get control of your home media content, including:

Best video codecs and format support - Read all your favorite video files with format and codec support including H.264 decoding in full 1080p HD

Media Center Library - Tailor-made UI with automatic jacket, synopsis and subtitle download as well as library organization even for files stored elsewhere on your home network

Easy home streaming - Stream your media content over your home network either through WiFi or Ethernet

The right connections – Features HDMI (cable included), full USB host and micro SD slot

Google™ Certified with Full Access to shop on Google Play™ – With over 700,000 applications, get all your favorite Android content on your TV including books, music, magazines and movies