- Sunday, 22 November 2009
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Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer
Archos picks Android for Internet tablet
ARCHOS HAS TURNED to Google's Android open source operating system as the framework for its new Archos 5 Internet Tablet.
The company is best known for its range of portable media players, but has started branching out into portable computing with a range of netbooks and tablet PCs.
The new device closely resembles its predecessor, the Archos 5, with a 4.8in 800 x 480 capacitive touch screen, built-in microphone and GPS and Bluetooth support.
The Bluetooth connection can be used to stream audio to a headset or allow input from a Bluetooth keyboard, or can be paired to a mobile phone for internet access when a Wi-Fi connection is unavailable.
"With consumers driving the growth of mobile internet adoption and easier ways to access the internet, Archos has succeeded to integrate GPS and high-definition media into the Android platform and offers unlimited ways to customise the tablet with thousands of applications on the Android platform," said Henri Crohas, chief executive at Archos.
As with Android phones, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet offers three completely customisable screens on which to drop widgets, shortcuts and applications.
Rather than tapping straight into the Google Marketplace for apps, Archos has created its own AppsLib store and ported a large number of Android applications across. This will help ensure compatibility with the device's larger screen and interface, the firm said.
The device is available in a range of storage options, including 8GB and 32GB models using Flash memory, and 160GB and 500GB hard drive-based models.
Archos also revealed that it is developing a mobile phone based on Android. The handset will run a 1GHz Arm Cortex processor and come with a 4.3in touch screen with a resolution of 854 x 480. Further details are expected at next year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The Archos 5 Internet Tablet will be available from late September ranging from £199.99 to £349.99. µ
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It seems too small to be really useful. What were they thinking about using such a small screen? Might as well use an iphone if you're going to go with such a small form factor. It's interesting to see the price though. Whatever the price is, double it and you will get an idea of how much the apple tablet will cost.
Real men need to know!
I'm very unlikely to ever buy another Archos product. I bought one once, a gmini 120. It worked great, it still works great, the product isn't the problem.
They have earnt an entry in my badbook from bad customer service, or more specifically pre-sales service.
Three times I have emailed them asking for clarification on specific features of several of their devices whilst researching for others. The first time I remember it being almost impossible to find a contact address on their website. Since then they have at least added some, although the closest to pre-sales is support.
Out of the three emails I have sent I have received a grand total of zero replies. Given this performance, and the far more impressive response of their competitors, I haven't felt able to recommend them.
It's all too common for companies to ignore their customers once they have your money, but it takes a special bunch of fools to ignore a potential customer without taking their money first!
I really have no idea how the French obtained a reputation for arrogance, do you?
I shall never buy archos stuff again. There customer service for such premium products diabolical, besides most of there stuff has been superseded by mobile phones now. I lost a lot of money because they lied and misinformed me, and failing in there legal duty to repair or replace goods brought direct. i don't have the energy to deal with people like that any more, so I'd rather deal with some dodgy geza down the pub than them.