archos
Latest
Archos' Android-based 70b e-reader up for pre-order in Europe
We have all ideas that the 70b will look mighty weak after next year's spate of slates, tablets and readers hit the public view at CES, but with a price tag as diminutive as €99.99 ($130), who cares about bells and / or whistles? Spotted first in the FCC's lairs a few weeks ago, the Archos 70b e-reader is now up for pre-order in Europe, boasting a 7-inch WVGA touchpanel, 4GB of storage, 802.11b/g WiFi and an SD expansion slot. We're told that the battery will keep things humming for around ten hours (or up to 18 if using it strictly as a music player with the screen flipped off), and if we had to guess, we'd say it'll probably make the trip through the Panama Canal in Q1 2011. Question is: will you care?
Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Tablets
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. You didn't think we'd let the holiday season go by without an official Engadget Tablet Gift Guide did you? Hey, give us more credit -- we know it's not 2009 anymore! The past year has seen an explosion in the tablet category, and while the iPad may still be the market leader, there's no shortage of Android and Windows 7 alternatives out there that let you surf the web, read books, and watch videos with just a flick of a finger. Sure, more are on the way, and all signs point to Apple updating the iPad in early 2011, but if you've got to have a touchscreen slab before the end of the year, we're here to lend a helping hand. Hit the break for a rundown of the best choices by price category.
Archos 70b eReader stops at the FCC on its way to the Google eBookstore
Oh look, another Android-based eReader has just exposed itself to the fine men and women of the FCC's test labs. This time it's Archos under the lens with its previously unannounced 70b eReader (model 7702). Specs include 802.11b/g WiFi, a USB jack, stereo speakers, an SD card reader, and support for Adobe Digital Editions DRM making it compatible with the Google eBookstore launched yesterday. And because the 70b eReader is built around what looks like a 7-inch color LCD, it also support video and image playback in full color. Check out the frontside display as well as some interface grabs from the user manual in the gallery below. %Gallery-109401%
Archos Internet Tablets get firmware updates, everybody gets a Froyo
Okay, maybe not everybody, but the vast majority of the Android offerings from Archos are receiving some guilt-free sweet treats. Models 23, 32, 43, 70, and 101 (you know, these guys) are all on the lucky receiving end of firmware updates that bring Android 2.2.1 to the table. That comes with improved performance, better battery life estimation, and support for external GPS adapters. All yours for the low, low price of free -- well, assuming you've already bought the tablet, of course. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Archos 101 now shipping, Android tablet game really heating up
We were really digging this 10-inch Android tablet when we spotted it back in August, and now it's shipping for a totally palatable $300 pricetag. It's powerful enough to play 720p video, has a 1024 x 600 screen, HDMI out, 802.11n WiFi and even a front facing camera. Plus there's even the somewhat comforting notion that this isn't Archos' first time to the Android tablet rodeo. Of course, the big drawback is the lack of Android Market, but there are always hacks to solve that, and Archos preloads some good apps to get you started. The tablet is shipping with Android 2.1, but Archos pinky swears it'll be getting 2.2 by the end of the month. Can't handle 10 whole inches of Android? Try the 7-incher Archos 70 on for size. You can't say they aren't trying. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Superchips turns an Archos into a vehicle interface, dubs it 'Vivid'
We've seen the awful, terrible, hideous things that an iPad can do to an otherwise respectable car interior, and now it's time to see what horrors Android can unleash. Superchips, makers of chips and flash units to summon a few extra ponies under the hood, has announced the creation of the Vivid "vehicle performance programmer" -- an Archos 43 Internet Tablet that's been... augmented with some software. Thanks to this, and a Bluetooth OBD-II module, the car can monitor car performance in real-time and display data while also acting as a G-meter and even a back-up camera. No word on what any of this will cost when it ships in early 2011, but those who already have a little Android buddy will be happy to know that a standalone Bluetooth dongle called the AVID will be releasing in the summertime, enabling all the same functionality without the need for another device. What'll we stuff in our headrests then?
Archos 70 Internet Tablet now shipping for $279 with 8GB storage, Android 2.2
Archos wasn't going to settle for shipping a single Android device out today, no sirree -- the French PMP specialists are pumping out these 7-inch Archos 70 Internet Tablets effective immediately. $279 buys you a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 8GB of flash storage, and Android 2.2 running on an 800 x 480 capacitive multitouch screen, with an OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics accelerator, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth and a front-facing VGA camera in an 11oz, 0.43-inch thin package that screams to be held. Sadly, you still won't find Android Market on here, though we'll give Archos credit for ditching most of the proprietary connectors and ports, which should make sideloading your own apps somewhat less of a chore. (There's also a microSDHC card slot.) Expect a 250GB hard-drive model to debut any day now for $350... along with our full review. [Thanks, androidboi]
Android-based Archos 43 PMP now shipping for $250
In a bid to grab a little of that "respect" we keep hearing so much about, Archos has just started shipping its downright seductive 4.3-inch Archos 43. Boasting Android underneath, an HDMI output and inbuilt WiFi, this $249.99 portable media player has just about everything any on-the-go media lover could want. Though, we will say... that 16GB of storage could afford to be expanded. Good thing there's a microSD slot, huh? Hit the source link if you're interested in experiencing that whole "Add To Cart" phenomenon. [Thanks, Kevin]
Android-based Archos 43 PMP up for pre-order, should ship out soon
Archos swore up and down that this one was set to ship in "mid-October," which means that the pre-order link at Amazon should switch over in a matter of nanoseconds, minutes or hours. For those in need of a refresher, the Archos 43 is an Android-based portable media player with a 4.3-inch touchpanel, support for a zillion (give or take) file formats, an HDMI output and integrated WiFi. The 16GB model is available to claim for $249.99, so if you've been waiting for your chance to hop in the purchase line, this is it. Don't blow it. [Thanks, Zayne]
Advent Vega tablet won't come with Android Market, might get it as part of Gingerbread update (video)
Lack of Google's official app store has been a thorn in the side of would-be Android tablet makers for a good long while, and it looks like the Tegra 2-powered Advent Vega will be no exception when it hits the high street tomorrow. Electricpig took the £249 device for a spin, chatting up Advent product manager Adam Lockyer the whole time, and discovered that while the 10-inch tablet will come with the 5,000-app-strong Archos AppsLib store, it won't have Android Market at launch. "The plan is that when you get to January time, there's a new release of Android and you'll be able to get the marketplace on this product," Lockyer said, suggesting that maybe -- just maybe -- the availability of Android Market itself might be one of the fragmentation issues Google intends to fix in Gingerbread. Wouldn't that be nice? Video after the break. [Thanks, Chak I.]
New Archos tablets get Android Market hack, works as promised
Our biggest complaint about the variety of Archos tablets? The lack of the Android Market, of course. But while you've been able to sideload the Market apk on lots of these devices, there were apparently compatibility issues with Archos' new Android 2.1 / 2.2 tablets (like the Archos 32 we reviewed just a few weeks). But fear not: ArchosFans to the rescue! A forum member successfully complied a new gApps4Archos.apk that can be easily sideloaded, and installed to give you access to all that Google app and Marketplace goodness. Obviously, we whipped out our 32 and tried it out ourselves. We did have a few issues at first -- you must have the latest 1.0.70 firmware and we had to reboot a few times to successfully connect to Google's servers -- but we were finally able to log into our Gmail and download Pandora. If you're adventurous enough to try it out for yourself, we'd suggest hitting the source link and getting to it. Oh, and feel free to let us know how it goes in the comments.
Peugeot shows off tablet-equipped HR1 concept vehicle
Yes, not even an auto show can escape a bit of tablet news these days. This one comes courtesy of Peugeot, which is showing off its new HR1 concept vehicle at the Paris Motor Show, and which, as you can see above, comes complete with what appears to be an Archos tablet of some sort. Details on it are otherwise a bit light, but the tablet does apparently dock with the car and connect to the in-dash system, which itself boasts a heads-up display and a movement recognition system that'll let you scroll though options (and attract passers-by) with a wave of your hand. As for the vehicle itself, it's a hybrid that promises 81 miles per gallon, and boasts a whole host of other impressive features, not the least of which are some electric scissor doors that will let you get into tight parking spots. Unfortunately, Peugeot also says it doesn't currently have any plans to actually bring the vehicle to market. Hit up the links below for a closer look.
Archos 32 Internet Tablet review
With there now being five (oh yes, five!) Archos Android Internet Tablets on the market, it's understandably hard to keep 'em all straight, but in our minds the 32 is easy to separate from the rest – it, along with the 28, is more of an Android PMP than anything else. With 3.2 inches of resistive touchscreen, the 32 packs the specs of a typical media player: 8GB of storage, media player software with support for loads of audio and video formats, and a VGA camera. But unlike most, it runs Android 2.1 (2.2 will be a firmware update, we're told), which adds quite a bit more functionality in terms of applications and web browsing. And it's also got an accelerometer for playing games. At $150, it seems like a pretty good deal, especially when you consider that it's cheaper than an iPod Touch or even a Zune HD (depending on where you're shopping), but there are a few issues that may hold you back from forking over the cash. You'll want to check out our full review after the break to find out just what those are. %Gallery-103173%
Archos unleashes five (five!) new Android Froyo tablets, we go hands-on
"How do you tablet?" Oh yes, that's Archos' new tag line when it comes to its growing number of Android tablets. Good timing since, you know, it just went ahead and released a quintuplet of new gadgets. The offerings range from small PMP-like devices with 2.8- and 3.2-inch screens to higher-end 4.3-, 7- and 10.1-inch tablets. All will ship with Android 2.2 "Froyo" and will include accelerometers, while only some have capacitive touchscreens, front-facing cameras and 1GHz processors. There's a lot more to them all -- we're talking five different devices, of course -- so we suggest hitting the break for a short rundown of each of them along with our early impressions. And don't forget to check out the gallery of hands-on pictures and videos below. %Gallery-100791% %Gallery-100804%
Archos 28 Minidroid PMP surfaces at FCC: yet another Android-based PMP
First came the onslaught of Android-based phones, and then came the rush of Android-powered tablet PCs. Now, we can all brace for the third major coming of Google's mobile OS, as this PMP marks the second from Archos alone in the last week. Hot on the heels of the Archos 32 comes the Archos 28 Minidroid, a diminutive 2.8-inch (presumed, anyway) portable media player with inbuilt WiFi, Android onboard, a 3.5mm headphones jack, USB connectivity, an integrated microphone and a touch-sensitive array of front panel controls. Beyond that, the FCC's database ain't telling us much, but we suspect we'll hear more as IFA approaches. [Thanks, Steve]
Archos 32 Internet "Tablet" hits the FCC, pictures and manual in tow
It was just last week the Android-powered Archos 32 spontaneously burst into existence with a premature sale, and thanks to the FCC we can say today that we also know what it looks like. As you can see in the picture above, the "minidroid" appears to be a completely capacitive affair, with dedicated buttons and directional controls surrounding that 3.2-inch screen. The full filing also reveals built-in GPS, a 3.5mm headphone jack and Archos' trademark kickstand alongside Bluetooth and WiFi. While it does have a microphone as originally reported, there's strangely no mention of a camera in the user's manual, which actually suggests that circle on the back of the device may be the integrated speaker. (Here's hoping we're proven wrong.) On the connectivity front, ARCHOS seems to have the usual host of accessories planned including a 720p-capable DVR dock, but frustratingly the unit also requires a proprietary connector to transfer data and charge. Should the original leak be accurate, expect to see this one at e-tailers in the coming months for a penny under $150, an excellent price should the build quality equal the company's codec support. %Gallery-99174%
Android-based Archos 32 media player now available for pre-order
There's no actual pictures of this one just yet, but if you feel like taking a chance (or have faith in all things Archos) you can now pre-order the as-yet-unannounced Archos 32 media player from JR.com. This one is decidedly more portable than Archos' recent Android-based devices, and packs a 3.2-inch touchscreen, an 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 8GB of storage, WiFi, a built-in camera and microphone, and Android 2.1 for an OS (upgradeable to Android 2.2). Not too shabby for $149.99, and J&R will even knock of three bucks off the list price if you order now. Update: Looks like the listing has now been pulled from J&R's site. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything more.
Archos 8 Home Tablet gets unboxed and examined
We've already gotten our hands on the Archos 7 Home Tablet, but the Archos 8 has been considerably harder to come by, and hasn't made much of a public showing since a brief appearance courtesy of the FCC back in May. The folks at Archos Lounge have now gotten their hands on the bezel tablet, however, and given us our first real look at the device. As you can probably tell from the form factor, this one is primarily designed to be used propped up on a table or a desk, but you can fold away the kickstand and do a bit of bezel-enhanced web browsing if you like. Head on past the break for Archos Lounge's video of both tablets -- en français, of course -- and look for the Archos 8 around the 11:20 mark.
How would you change the Archos 7 Home Tablet?
Archos has been a player in the PMP market for a few centuries now (a rough estimate, anyway), and to say that the universe was jazzed at the mere thought of a 7-inch tablet for under $200 would be understating things dramatically. We found more things wrong with the Archos 7 Home Tablet than we could've ever imagined going in, but still, for under two C-notes, we have to believe that a few of you flipped on the blinders and made the purchase anyway. For those in that camp, we're interesting to find how you feel about it now. Is the size right? Is the OS as impressive as you thought it would be? Are you longing for a larger display? Imagine you had the keys to Archos' design lab and had the power to overhaul this bad boy, then have a sip of your favorite fruit juice and drop your thoughts in comments below. In that order, por favor.
Archos 13 laptop arrives in France
Archos -- primarily known for being heavy into the PMP game -- has just outed an updated line of laptops in France. Here we have the previously spotted Archos 13, and while we don't have a full rundown of specifications, we know that it's a 13.3-incher with an unnamed Intel Atom D510 CPU, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB hard drive, WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth, and a 6-cell battery. It comes with Windows 7 Home Starter edition, and although we haven't heard anything about releases outside of France or international pricing, we do know that this puppy goes for €399.98 (around $485).
