Archos Now Shipping Two Android Tablets
Archos has unleashed two Android tablets poised to take on Apple's iPod Touch and iPad.
Wednesday Archos added the Android-powered Archos 43 Internet tablet to its online store for $249.99. The device comes packed with a 4.5-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) touch screen, Android 2.2 (Froyo), HDMI output, and more. The company also added the Archos 70 tablet, an Apple iPad competitor arriving as a 8 GB model for $274.99 and as a 250 GB model for $349.99, however the device isn't officially available for purchase at the time of writing.
According to the hardware specs, the Archos 43 uses the ARM Cortex A8 CPU clocked at 1 GHz and a graphics accelerator compatible with OpenGL ES 2.0. Other details include 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, 16 GB of internal storage and a additional microSD card slot, and even a built-in HD camcorder with a max resolution of 1280 x 720. The device is also Samba and UPnP compatible, allowing users to stream video and music from their PC directly to the device.
As for the Archos 70 tablet, it will also come packed with Android 2.2 and most of the same hardware found in the Archos 43 tablet. However this version features a 7-inch WVGA TFT capacitive LCD with a default resolution of 800 x 480. For the 11-oz 8 GB model, the device depends on flash memory and provides an extra microSD card slot. The 14-oz 250 GB version goes retro however, providing storage via a built-in hard drive (hence the reasonable pricetag).
While the prices of the Archos tablets seem pretty reasonable, they won't play MPEG-2 video right out of the box. According to Archos, customers must purchase a special $20 "cinema" plug-in from the company's online store so that the device can read .VOB, .TS, and .PS video streams as well as A3 audio. The tablets also don't have official access to Google's Android Market, relying on Archos' AppLib online store instead.
"The internet tablets feature music, video and photo applications, developed by Archos, that enrich the user experience with smooth browsing through the album covers and with widgets added to the home screen to give instant access and control to media," the company said. "These unique Android applications allow users to amplify their digital experience."
Those looking to purchase the Archos 70 tablet may need to wait a few days for it to become available, however the smaller Archos 43 can be bought online now.
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So the iPod Touch competitor (Archos 43) really isn't any cheaper than the iTouch at all? Since the 8GB iTouch is $230 and the 32GB is $300, it falls right in between. And the Archos 43 is lacking the huge app store. Doesn't sound like much of an alternative at all, really.
I wonder how 7 would run on these?
So the iPod Touch competitor (Archos 43) really isn't any cheaper than the iTouch at all? Since the 8GB iTouch is $230 and the 32GB is $300, it falls right in between. And the Archos 43 is lacking the huge app store. Doesn't sound like much of an alternative at all, really.
There is a simple drag and drop, one click hack that gives you the full marketplace.
It also has many advantages over the iTouch:
-Bigger screen
-MicroSD expansion
-HDMI out
-USB Host
-Will have full flash when 2.2 hits (been in BETA for weeks so should be soon)
-Decent HD cam
-No iTunes (means a lot to many people)
-16GB VS 8GB for the $230 iTouch
Sounds like a great alternative to me. Then again, any decent media player with Android would be.
^^^^^^^^^
I would also like to add:
-MUCH larger file support.
-720p video playback (onto your TV through HDMI)
-Bluetooth tethering for 3G
-All those nice perks of Android over the iOS
actually, they come with 2.2, so...will have flash support.
Not bad but no andriod marketplace(which is a huge con for me). I am pretty shure you will be able to access it in the future through a hack.
I tried out the Archos 32 and had to return it because the wireless reception was god awful. I hope these devices don't fall into that inexcusable flaw. It made me have to turn to an Ipod touch, which I tried my best to resist from having to get.
Wish they woulda used flash memory, woulda been way more attractive of a buy
Wish they woulda used flash memory, woulda been way more attractive of a buy
Are you talking about the 250GB version? Thats the only HDD based one. I would like you to show me an affordable 250GB flash drive...
Are you talking about the 250GB version? Thats the only HDD based one. I would like you to show me an affordable 250GB flash drive...
Where did I say I wanted it to be 250 GB ? I'd rather have 16 GB flash drive. There's so many remote desktop apps that it makes on device storage kinda redundant for anything other then things your going to use daily
I want 101 NAOOOOOOO!!!
Where did I say I wanted it to be 250 GB ? I'd rather have 16 GB flash drive. There's so many remote desktop apps that it makes on device storage kinda redundant for anything other then things your going to use daily
You don't get it, there's both an HD (250GB) and Flash (8GB) version of the 70, which also has a microSDHC slot for flash storage either way. The 101 will also have a full 16GB version.
The 43 really isn't a "tablet", it's a PMP with a lot of options. The 70 and upcoming 101 however will be a nice "cheap" option to the more expensive 3g supporting tablets like iPad and Galaxy Tab.
It made me have to turn to an Ipod touch, which I tried my best to resist from having to get.
Did you look at any Cowon gear? I have an A3 and it is AMAZING! When it eventually dies I will be buying another Cowon. They all have great sound quality, best file support i've ever seen, great battery life, the list goes on.
I thought so too at first. The reason they don't have access to the market place, according to Archos, is that the minimum requirements for the Droid Marketplace are geared towards phones and not tablets. Supposedly for a device to be on the Google Market the device needs GPS, compass, 2-Mpel autofocus camera and physical buttons - many things that aren't in Android Tablets. Archos also claims there is no evidence that any tablet qualifies until Google's Gingerbread comes out in 2011. According to many last gen android archos users, you can hack the android marketplace.
Also, the Archos 101 is best of them all. 10.1 inch screen, HDMI out, full USB, 10 hour battery, 1.0 GHz ARM CPU, 1024 x 600 widescreen display, MicroSD expansion, Android 2.2 and thinner and lighter than the iPad for only $350 (MSRP - I have already seen it for preorder with free shipping, no tax at $333).
I want 101 NAOOOOOOO!!!
Take the trip to Europe. I think you can get it there.
I want 101 NAOOOOOOO!!!
Archos says it will be out on the 8th:
http://www.facebook.com/ARCHOS.EntertainmentYourWay
I tried out the Archos 32 and had to return it because the wireless reception was god awful. I hope these devices don't fall into that inexcusable flaw. It made me have to turn to an Ipod touch, which I tried my best to resist from having to get.
No idea why this is thumbed down. I'm in the process of returning my 32 for the same reason. Everything but the wireless was great. But the wireless is without a doubt, awful.
I currently have the 43 device and it doesn't have Froyo and yes it updated with the latest firmware
I already preordered A101 from JR.com
No tax (I'm in CA). All for under $300 incl free shipping.
Can't beat that!!
No idea why this is thumbed down. I'm in the process of returning my 32 for the same reason. Everything but the wireless was great. But the wireless is without a doubt, awful.
The wireless on an iTouch is awful too, at least on previous gens, haven't tried the 4th gen yet.