Archos releases five Android tablets

GADGET MAKER Archos has released five Android-based tablets.

It seems that the outfit is not keen on bringing out just one tablet to take on Apple's Ipad when it can field nearly half a dozen.

There seems to be one for every occasion, including the cheap as chips Archos 28, the portable Archos 32, a multi-media Archos 43, and the wide screen Internet tablets Archos 70 and Archos 101.

The outfit seems to be following Apple's idea that the tablet should be a consumer item targeted at web-browsing, games, ebooks, social notworking and other apps alongside HD video and music.

The company's history is as a manufacturer of small format consumer MP3 and video players.

The flagship is the Archos 101 Internet tablet, which is an Android device that offers fast web browsing and HD multimedia. It has a 10.1-inch high-resolution screen in a slim tablet that is 12mm thick and weighs 480g.

All of the tablets are built with a patented construction process that uses an over-moulded PVD stainless steel structure, Archos said.

The Archos 28 seems to be targeting Apple's Ipod Touch as it has only a 4.5-inch screen and is mostly for listening to music.

Each of the tablets has four Android applications for video, photos and music, with support for 3D cover animations.

They all come with an adjustable leg stand to allow users to position the units to tap out emails, view a movie or enjoy the photo frame application. Archos assures punters that the devices are designed to be both easy and intuitive to use.

Each of the devices has a 1GHz processor, high-speed 802.11n WiFi and a high-resolution screen. They also run Adobe's Flash 10.1 player, which the Ipad doesn't.

The Archos 70 and Archos 101 Internet tablets both have a built-in web-cam so users can make video calls. The devices can also be tethered to a 3G phone via Bluetooth or USB for Internet connectivity on the move.

In addition the tablets can be used as game pads for your TV, thanks to a built-in accelerometer and 3D openGL technology.

The Archos 43 multi-media tablet also has a 2 megapixel HD camcorder to capture video and photos that the user can share over the web or view on an HD TV.

The Archos 28, Archos 32 and Archos 43 will be available in September. The Archos 28 is priced at £99 with 4GB of storage and £109 with 8GB. The Archos 32 with 8GB of storage goes for £129 and the Archos 43 with 16GB of storage has a price of £199.

Available in October will be the Archos 70 £229 with 8GB of storage and £269 with a whopping 250GB, as well as the Archos 101, which will set you back £269 with 8GB of storage and £299 with 16GB. µ