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Archos 101 XS 2, ChefPad and ChildPad tablets hands-on (video)
With Archos, when it rains, it pours. We popped by the company's booth at IFA this morning to take a peek at its customary deluge of devices. In addition to a number of handsets, Archos was showcasing a whole pile of tablets -- though we've opted to focus on some of the more interesting ones, namely the 101 XS, ChefPad and ChildPad. And we have to say, while the company hasn't always been known for sexy devices, all of the tablets we looked at had surprisingly nice builds. The company also gets some credit for seeking out some interesting niches within the tablet space. The 101 XS 2 is certainly the most mainstream of the three. The Gen11 device is probably most notable for its included keyboard dock, which magnetically attaches to the front of the slate, protecting its screen when not in use. When you're ready to go, pull off the thin cover, unfold the stand on the dock and stick the tablet into its port, propping it up in landscape mode. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
Archos Child Pad gets capacitive screen upgrade, minor price hike to $140
Parents who've already purchased Archos' 7-inch Child Pad may be feeling somewhat miffed, as its screen's been upgraded from resistive to capacitive just two months after launch. There's no such thing as free multi-touch, so you'll have to fork out another ten bucks on top of the original asking price for the new version of the ICS slate, bringing the total to a cent under $140. Other internals are identical, so customers can still expect a 1GHz ARM processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of expandable storage, with some exclusive chipmunk-based content to boot. Just remember to let the kids have a go once in a while.
Archos 7-inch Child Pad with ICS now on sale for $130, Aaaalvin squeaks in celebration
Oh, we know you've been waiting for this one. Earlier today, Archos announced its kid-friendly Child Pad tablet is finally up for grabs -- which was bound to happen after having passed the FCC's meticulous inspection. In case your brain needs a quick refresh, those $129.99 get your little ones a 7-inch, 800 x 480 screen, Android 4.0, an unpretentious 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 CPU, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of built-in storage (expandable by way of microSD). Obviously, kids are unlikely to focus on the specs side of things, so Archos has done a decent job of including pre-loaded tidbits such as apps, games and "exclusive" Alvin and the Chipmunk 3 content in order to keep them entertained. If you're feeling like this is the one for your child, then hit the source link below to get your order in.
Archos Child Pad arrives at FCC, escapes drool-free
If our eyes don't deceive us, that's the Archos Child Pad that just arrived at the FCC. Now, we know what you're thinking: any proper test of this tablet would require someone gnawing on the corners and drooling on the screen, but c'mon -- this is the FCC we're talking about. Curiously, the test documents reveal support for 802.11n, which comes as a nice surprise, since we'd previously only known of support for 802.11b/g. As you might've expected, WiFi is the only radio in the Child Pad, which means the little one won't be pairing it with any Bluetooth devices or putting the hurt on your data plan any time soon. This rubbery, resistive touch, Ice Cream Sandwich-filled creation was previously announced for $129 with availability in late March. While the Archos folks may have missed that goal, with the FCC's stamp of approval, it appears your tike won't have long to coat the Child Pad in celebratory slobber.
Archos Arnova 7-inch Child Pad hands-on (video)
It might not quite be the hottest tablet news of the day, but we managed to catch a glimpse of the Arnova "designed by Archos" Child Pad on the floor here at CeBIT. Last time we saw this slate it was nothing but a render and a few specifications, but now we know a little more. First, there's a MicroUSB port and a front-facing camera, so your little darlings can be uploading pictures to Facebook even before that pacifier has dried for the last time. There's a microSD slot too, so you can load up an extra 32 gigs of Barney re-runs, if the 4GB internal storage isn't enough. The model we saw was a special edition "Alvin" version, which comes pre-loaded with bonus chipmunk-related content, such as special themes, wallpapers and, well, you get the picture.The 7-inch, 800 x 480-pixel touchscreen is resistive -- which might be a bit of a dirty word these days -- but considering the intended audience, it's probably a fine choice. Our prods and pokes were met responsively enough, and Ice Cream Sandwich seemed to run just fine on the modest 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor with 1GB of RAM. Archos claims you'll get eight hours of video playback, or 16 hours of music per battery charge, and we assume that's with the 802.11b/g wireless turned off. The plastic finish actually looks pretty good, and will wipe free of jam and chips easy enough. Also, the back has a rubberized feel that should help prevent it from slipping from those juvenile paws. It's penciled in for release in April, and the real kicker here is the price. The €99 (about $129) price tag might not quite be pocket-change, but it's pretty darn close. See Alvin and our hands-on after the break.
Archos unveils 7-inch Child Pad slate: $130, Ice Cream Sandwich on board
We know you've already added the Fisher Price DVR to the list of gadgets that may withstand the physical trauma your kid's about to put it through. But how does an ICS-equipped, 7-inch slate with parental controls sound? Dubbed Child Pad, this sticky finger-friendly tab isn't just flaunting the fact it's tasting Android's freshest treat before most of you, it's doing so with a rather modest 1GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM. In theory, that should be enough to handle your little one's multitouch doings. Speaking of, Archos is pairing up the $130 machine with access to the AppLibs Kids App Store, which offers a portfolio of over 10,000 games, books and apps. Unfortunately, there's no word on what kind of ports or internal storage the Child Pad's packing. The good news is Archos isn't saying you need to be in first grade to use it, so feel free to grab one for yourself (or your kid) when it hits shelves at the end of the month.
