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Archos 5 Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner released
Yes, it looks goofy as hell, but we're sure Archos 5 owners aren't complaining about the new Snap-on TV DVB-T accessory -- not only will it allow you to watch live TV, it integrates with the DVR features of the unit to give you portable recording. Interestingly, although the Snap-on TV features dual tuners, they're used to increase reception quality, not to allow viewing of one channel while recording another, which is a bit of a bummer. Still, we wouldn't lean on this for hardcore DVR use anyway, so we're guessing it won't be a huge issue. ArchosLounge says it should be on sale in Europe in the next couple weeks for less than €60 ($76), and they've also got some in-the-wild pics, hit the read link to check 'em out.[Thanks, Candy]
Archos 5 and 7 firmware update knocks email out of beta
Looks like the Archos 5 and 7 just got another firmware update that's finally brought a release version of the email app. That's right, update 1.2.05 is enough to bring Archos' email out of beta, and now everybody's partying with the real app, which apparently doesn't crash all the time and moves a bit faster. It looks like a pretty standard, if robust email app, and it seems like Archos has worked out most of the kinks with this latest update... or at least we hope so. We're getting pretty tired of seeing it's beautiful, touchscreened face around here.
3G-enabled Archos 5 and Eee PC 901 announced by French wireless carrier SFR
You don't see a lot of PMPs or netbooks out there with carrier branding, but both the Archos 5 and the Eee PC have gotten themselves 3G-enabled recently, and French wireless company SFR isn't wasting any time with the silkscreen machine -- it's just announced subsidized versions of both. The Archos 5 3G+ comes dressed in sharp new black suit and features a smaller 30GB drive to go with its integrated 3G modem and custom SFR menu items -- you're looking at €249 ($320) with a monthly data fee of €19 ($24) for existing SFR customers or €24 ($30) for new subs. More or less the same deal with the Eee 901: you're getting the familiar 1.6GHz Atom with 1GB of RAM, a 16GB SSD, and an integrated 3G modem for €279 ($358) with €29 ($37) / €34 ($43) monthly contract fees. Hopefully we'll see some Stateside carriers pick up on this trend soon, eh?Read - Archos 5 3G+Read - Eee PC 901
Mobile browser showdown: Archos 5 vs. iPhone 3G vs. Nokia N810
Browser bakeoffs are never without a certain amount of controversy, but we're sort of into Pocketable's latest comparison since the devices on the bench represent three very different points on the spectrum of touchscreen devices. Having used them all, we'll say upfront that the results are surprising: the Archos 5 smokes both the iPhone and the N810, and not always by small margins -- the 5 loaded Engadget 18 seconds faster than the N810. (We did the same test with our 5 and iPhone 3G and the results were basically similar.) Now, that's not to say that makes the 5's Opera-powered browser the best or even the most usable, since in our experience scrolling is painfully choppy and hard to do with the resistive touchscreen, but it's interesting that the hotrodded PMP managed to load pages consistently faster than either the smartphone or the Linux-powered tablet. Take a peek at the full results at the read link.
New Archos 5, 7 firmware adds OGG / FLAC support, fixes bugs
We noticed a few problems with the firmware on the Archos 5 we got our hands on last month, and it now looks like the company is going some way towards addressing a few of those complaints with its latest update, and it's thrown in a few goodies for good measure. The biggest of those is added support for OGG and FLAC formats, though the promised increase in battery life and boost in USB transfer speed will also no doubt be especially welcome to anyone that's already taken the plunge on one of the players as well. The list of bug fixes is even longer, and includes promised remedies for all sorts of system hangs and crashes, plus some fixes for a number of video playback and recording problems. Hit up the link below to grab a copy.[Via ArchosLounge, thanks Billy]
Archos 5 unboxing and hands-on
The Archos 5 has already been thoroughly torn apart in French by the cats at Archos Lounge, but there's nothing quite like getting your hands on a device for yourself, and while we found Archos' latest to be impressive in terms of raw ability and features, actually using all those features wasn't always smooth going. Although the 800 x 480 4.8-inch touchscreen is laudably bright and clear, it's still a resistive touch panel and feels like one, depressing slightly with each press and reacting a bit slowly in general. We used two different builds of the firmware, and while the second was an improvement, it still hung badly at times and occasionally crashed out hard, requiring a reset. The Opera-powered browser rendered fine, although it scrolled a bit choppily, and the mail client was functional, but obviously not capable enough to be used day-to-day -- it can't delete IMAP emails, for example. We were also a little annoyed by the constant come-ons for accessories and plug-ins -- plugging in the charger pops up an ad for a dock -- and we were left wondering why album art was downscaled so crappily with such a great display available. We also tried out the DVR station accessory, and while it upscaled the interface and content to 720p admirably, we were unable to get it to recognize component video in from a TiVo HD. That's basically the story here: the 5's got terrific potential but nothing's quite there yet -- too much seems missing, broken, or otherwise unpolished right now. There are more firmware updates scheduled, so we'll see how things go, and we may well be singing a different tune entirely when the plug-in enabling the 5g's built-in 3G modem is released, but for now we'd say we're a little disappointed in what should be a kickass little player. %Gallery-32842% %Gallery-32843%
Archos 5 series reviewed in French
Archos fan-site Archos Lounge lived up to its name this week and threw down a 300,000 page review on the new Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet. We won't tear down the whole thing here, but the primary takeaway seems to be mixed. Apparently the new processor on board really souped up the thing, but Archos skimped on the software, shipping what basically amounts to a buggy beta. That's no small criticism for Archos from its number one fans, so let's hope the company gets its act together fast. The review is in French, but there's an unboxing vid after the break, in that universal language of nerdery.
Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet is now up for grabs
You know you want one. Sure, Archos isn't tops when it comes to sexy, but there's enough technical doohickery in these new Archos 5 "Internet Media Tablets" to keep you busy for a while -- and they're now shipping. C'mon, live a little. It's only $350 for 60GB of fun, $400 for 120GB and $450 for 250GB. They're practically giving these things away.[Thanks, Pierre B.]
Archos 5, 7 internet media tablets now on sale
It's just been a few short days since Archos took the wraps off its new Archos 5 and Archos 7 "internet media tablets," but if you're already sold, you can now get your order in for one of 'em on Amazon (and no doubt plenty of other places shortly). Prices start at $350 for the lowest-end 60GB Archos 5, and go all the way up to $550 for a 320GB Archos 7. You can also take your pick from a range of accessories, including a DVR Snap-On or more full-fledged DVR Station ($80 and $100, respectively), a Battery Dock for $50, a Mini Dock for $30, and even a Helmet Camcorder for $130. Just don't expect any of that to arrive right away -- everything's listed with a two to four week shipping estimate.[Via I4U News]
Archos 5 gets the hands-on treatment
Archos has only just taken the wraps off its new Generation 6 "internet media tablets" but, right on cue, the folks at Generation MP3 have already turned out a pretty extensive hands-on with one of 'em, the Archos 5. One thing that was immediately apparent to them is that the device's shiny new black casing is a lot more prone to fingerprints than the metal casing of the Archos 605 that it replaces but, as they point out, the near lack of buttons (just three on top) at least means there's less of that casing to get smudged up. They also found that the screen is not as "soft" as the 605 but, unfortunately, it's not multi-touch, and there's no accelerometer to allow for quick changes of orientation. Of course, if it's pics your looking for, they've also got plenty of those, and you can find 'em at the link below.
Archos 5, 5g and 7 "internet media tablets" are here to slap your puny PMP upside the head
So Archos still seems to be struggling a bit matching the design curve of the industry, but boy oh boy can they pile on those specs. The new Archos 5 and Archos 7 "generation 6" players offer capacities as high as 320GB, well-res'd screens and just about every codec we'd ever need -- plus available plug-ins to cover the rest. But that's not even the exciting part. The Archos 5g adds in that 3.5 HSDPA data we were hearing about, providing true on-the-go surfing, and all three players sport WiFi as well. Sizes start off at 30GB for the Archos 5g, which runs a 800 x 480 4.8-inch touchscreen. The Archos 5 bumps that up to 60-250GB, while the Archos 7 does up 160GB and 320GB, with a 7-inch touchscreen that sadly matches the 5 series' resolution exactly. All three players can record VGA video through an optional DVR Station dock or the DVR snap-on accessory, and Archos will have plenty of other accessories in the offing as well. As for player design, Archos has made considerable strides in thinness, with the Archos 7 at 0.63-inches thick, and the Archos 5 as slim as 0.5-inches, depending on drive size, but we're not crazy about the new look -- though we're sure opinions will vary. No word on price or availability just yet, but stay tuned.
