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Archos 5 Internet Tablet gets game-changing OpenGL support in 2.0.15 update (video)
Speedy browser aside, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet started as the runt of the Android litter, but the ugly duckling is headed towards swanhood -- while officially, it's still stuck with Android 1.6, the tablet's French manufacturer has just transformed the media machine into what looks like a stellar Android game system as well. Archos' 2.0.15 update gives the Archos 5 support for OpenGL, letting it run games like Speed Forge 3D and Raging Thunder II at a fantastic clip. Best of all, you won't have to wait two shakes to test it out for yourself; there's a 89MB download with your name on it at our source link. Video after the break. [Thanks, Tom]
Archos 5 shown running Maemo, Android 2.0, but no Windows 3.11 yet (video)
With the Archos 5 we were shown that Android can be a legitimate media powerhouse. But, it's tough for a player to be stuck with 1.6 while other devices have already broken in their 2.1 shoes. Fear not, as the device is showing to be generally receptive to tweaks, first being an install of Maemo that seemingly runs quite well but, with no WiFi support, is something of a non-starter at this point. Also now booting is Android 2.0, a clean port that was apparently quite easily installed on the device but, sadly, doesn't work with the touchscreen, meaning it is even more useless at this point. Maybe if you're willing to lend a hand you can help to get one or the other rather more functional -- or maybe 1.6 doesn't look so bad anymore. Videos of both alt-OSes are after the break, and installation instructions are at the source links.
Phone guitar: iPhone OS, Windows Mobile and Android got all night to set the world right (video)
What can you do when no one's got a phone to jam with you? Why, you can be a geeky one-man band, of course! Web developer Steffest (just one name, like Sting or Madonna) managed to do just that by strapping a couple of Android devices (possibly an Archos 5 and a HTC Desire), a couple of WinMo handhelds (looks like a HP iPAQ h1940 and a HTC Touch Diamond), and an iPod touch on top of a portable speaker. All this just for a forthcoming presentation on mobile cross development -- Steffest had to painstakingly write the same audio program "in Java for Android, in C# for Windows Mobile and in Objective-C for iPhone." Oh, and it doesn't just end there -- turns out this dude can also pluck tap away a good Neil Diamond classic on this five-way nerd-o-strummer. Get on board and check out the video after the break.
Archos 5 gets Android 1.6 update, for real this time
Archos disappointed quite a few users last month by pushing out an Android 1.6 (a.k.a. "Donut") update for its Archos 5 internet tablet only to yank it shortly thereafter due to a "last-minute major issue," but it now looks like it's finally set things right -- the update is once again available for download, and it apparently works just fine this time. Among other things, the update optimizes applications for the Archos 5's high resolution screen, and adds features like Quick Search to help you find music, contacts and other information more easily. Hit up the link below for all the necessary upgrade details. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Archos 5 says hello, goodbye to Android 1.6
It would seem somebody over at Archos HQ was sipping a little too much of the Chardonnay over the holidays, as the company's latest firmware update for the 5-inch Internet Tablet has suffered something of a false start. Intended to bring the onboard Android up to the civilized ways of version 1.6 and to fix a few outstanding bugs, the update has been yanked due to the above "last-minute major issue." Mind you, when the non-toxic version does hit, you should still be wary -- it appears the latest firmware disables the hack that allowed users to re-install some Google apps missing from the default software on the device. Ah well, a shambling but active updating regimen is better than none at all.
Android-based Archos 5 Internet Tablet surfaces in 8GB form for $250
The Archos 5 Internet Tablet hasn't had the smoothest ride into the commercial realm, but thanks to a few firmware updates, the Android-based player seems to finally be humming along just fine. That said, not everyone's interested in shelling out big bucks for a capacious version, which makes the latest edition perfect for those simply curious to see how Google's mobile OS fares on a portable media player. The 8GB model has surfaced over at Radio Shack, bringing with it all the goods on the larger siblings but with far less internal space. The best part? That $249.99 price tag (and that little "In Stock" icon beside it).
Archos 5 gets Android Market, Gmail and Maps for that Google-blessed experience
Since it's not a phone and transgresses in all sorts of other Google-pleasing areas, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet hasn't had a full shot at Android thus far, being relegated to merely the open source aspects of the OS. However, with phones like the Droid out and about and making high-resolution compatibility a must for Android developers, not to mention some diligent work from the hacking community, there are now downloadable versions of Android Market, Gmail, Maps and some other Google-specific Android goodies for the Archos 5. Use them at your own risk, of course, but it's not like the Archos 5 is a testament to stability in its current incarnation anyway.
Archos releases developer edition firmware for Internet Tablets
According to a press release dated this morning, Archos is making proof-of-concept "developer edition" firmware available for its ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 Internet Media Tablets. Based on the Angstrom Linux distribution, this is by no means a commercial distro (no multimedia software) but since you're taking it upon yourself to code the next great multimedia / social networking / productivity / time travel app anyways, you don't really want to be bogged down by such pedestrian fare. According to the PR, the company "eagerly anticipates seeing its hardware platform used as a foundation for creating exciting new usage models and applications that the developer community brings." And so do we! Read all about it after the break.
iPhone 3GS bested by Android Archos 5 tablet in browsing benchmarks
We've already seen the iPhone 3GS handily win an ARM Cortex A8-powered browsing bakeoff against the Palm Pre, but now that a few more devices have hit the scene with the processor it's time for another round, don't you think? Pocketables certainly does, and they've pitted the 3GS against a pretty eclectic group of devices, including the Sharp NetWalker Android "smartbook," the Archos 5 IMT, and the Archos 5 Android PMP. That's two Android devices, one funky proprietary OS, and the iPhone, all running different browsers on different variants of the same chip design, so there are obviously a lot of variables at play here, but the results are still interesting: the 800MHz Android Archos 5's WebKit browser was just a tick faster than the 600MHz iPhone 3GS, turning in an average page-load time of 9.0 seconds as opposed to 9.6, while the 800MHz NetWalker and 600MHz Archos 5 IMT trailed at 10.3 and 11.6 seconds. All we're taking away from that is that WebKit-based mobile browsers still seem to be the speed champs, but we're sure you have a different opinion.
Archos 5 firmware 1.1.01 rights all wrongs?
Charbax of ArchosFans.com reports that the majority of issues encountered by early adopters of the Android-equipped Archos 5 Internet Tablet (not to be confused with the older Internet Media Tablet, ugh) have been remedied by the caped crusader that is firmware revision 1.1.01. Forum members do seem to corroborate that the previously habitual lockups are no more, but the complex update procedure has already (probably temporarily) bricked one user's device, while another still has random disconnects when transferring files from his PC under the new firmware. Still, if you've been among the unfortunate victims of the sloppy original software, this is a ray of light for you, and the read link -- featuring input from a source within Archos -- should be considered required reading.
New Archos 5 with Android unboxed, meets its chubby predecessor
The folks at Pocketables have an Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet with Android in house, and after the requisite unboxing they've put it up against the older, wiser Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet original. It's not quite a fair fight, since the Android model shown here has 32GB of flash storage compared to the old IMT's 250GB HDD (there's also a HDD option for the new Android tablet, a whopping 500GB), but there are some other notable differences like materials and curves. Thankfully for Archos fans those differences don't break compatibility with the optional Archos 5 mini dock, and overall the Android model seems to have just a slight bit of "premium" vibe to it.
Archos 5 has 99 problems and a glitch is one, 160GB version pulled by Amazon
It was only just allowed out to play, but Archos' five-inch, Android-sporting internet tablet has been called back in by its fastidious mother, a role played by Amazon in this case. Only the hard drive-based 160GB model is affected at present, with the 32GB version selling as normal and the half terabyte option out of stock already. Charbax of ArchosFans.com, a man in the know on this subject, has suggested this might have been caused by a firmware update wiping out some pre-installed Android apps, which is now being addressed. His site's forums and Amazon customer reviews, however, paint a different picture: there are consistent complaints about bugs and lock ups -- software issues that could well affect the other models in the line -- with some going so far as to suggest Archos has used its customers as Beta testers. There doesn't appear to be anything structurally wrong with the device, meaning a robust firmware update could remedy all ills, so now it's just a matter of waiting for Archos to do what it should have done before release. [Via Pocketables] Read - Amazon product page Read - Archos Fans forums
Archos5 Android PMP now on sale at Amazon
Considering the tablet rumors swirling lately, we find it rather funny that Archos calls the new Android-based Archos5 an "Internet Tablet," but they've been doing it for so long we suppose they're allowed to cash in on the hype a little, right? In any event, the 5-inch PMP is now on sale at Amazon for in both 160GB ($390) and 32GB ($370) sizes -- yep, you can finally buy a non-phone Android device, and it's a pretty capable media player too boot, even if the usual Archos resistive touchscreen issues get in the way. Still, we know quite a few of you have been waiting for this -- anyone throwing down? [Via Pocketables]
Archos 5 Internet Tablet makes an honest PMP out of Android
Android has become many things to many people, but high-powered media devices haven't latched on to the OS just yet. Much of it has to do with the Android's immaturity: from what we hear, it doesn't even support hardware graphics acceleration, much less embrace multimedia and games. Archos has punched through that barrier by porting over its existing media-happy application layer from Linux to make good use of the 800MHz OMAP3440 processor they've stuffed inside the brand new (much leaked) Archos 5 Internet Tablet. The tablet runs a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 screen, and can pump out 720p video (including WMV and H.264) over HDMI. Because it's Archos' own special sauce, the device also supports protected WMV and protected WMA (hooray PlaysForSure), a rarity for Linux. With the optional DVR Station the device can do VGA TV recording, though you'll probably want to spring for one of the beefy HDD models, which offer capacity up to 500GB, but double the girth of the basic 0.4-inch thick flash player. There's also 802.11n WiFi, a bit of a rarity in portable devices like this, and quite a treat for 2.4GHz-addled city dwellers. But that's all pretty regular Archos-ey stuff. The newness for Archos comes in the form of Android, which has been fairly seamlessly melded with the Archos layer -- which hovers over the vanilla Android install when needed. The OS scales up pretty nicely to 800 x 480, which is a relief because the touchscreen keyboard is a bit of a chore with the 5's resistive touchscreen. Since it's not a Google-blessed device, you'll have to score a copy of Gmail on your own time, but the regular Market is available if you want to risk going around the 5-optimized AppsLib store. Several third party apps are included out of the gate, including ThinkFree Mobile, which should be updated to allow for document editing in the near future. When plugged into a dock and paired with an optional mini-QWERTY keypad (or any regular Bluetooth keyboard and mouse) the 5 becomes a rather nice way to surf the internet on your TV. It's missing in-browser Flash, but there should be an update to rectify that soon. Out of the house the tablet offers a high-end GPS experience, including hugemongous birds eye photo maps of major cities, and can tether with a 3G phone over Bluetooth for a bit of data. So, Archos 5 might not be Android's killer device, mainly because it isn't a phone and doesn't make for pleasurable mobile data entry or consumption. Still, it's doing stuff with media that the relatively sluggish crop of Android handsets have failed at so far, and hopefully will spur the community to greater heights. The player is available as of today, with prices ranging from $250 to $440, not to mention accessories galore. Check out videos of the tablet in action after the break. %Gallery-72936% %Gallery-72937%
Archos store is down, you know what that means?
Here we go again... it's Tuesday and the store's been taken off-line as rumors of a new touch-screen tablet flood our tips box. That can mean only one thing: a new Android tablet from Archos. What, were you expecting something else?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Android-based Archos gets pictured, briefly priced by B&H
We still gotta wait until September 15th for the whole scoop, but B&H has gone ahead and spoiled some of the mystery of Archos' Android-based Archos 5, giving the internet tablet its own listing in a number of different storage capacity options, pictures in tow, as well as a $130 DVR station. Prices are currently listed as TBA, but fortunately it looks like the fine fellows at ArchosFans managed to capture the page when there were more concrete dollar signs on each model, to the tune of $294 for 16GB SSD, $370 for 32GB SSD, $320 for 160GB HDD, and $420 for a 500GB HDD. In the DVR station pic we spotted "HD" listed in the video names, which gives us hope that even more of those February leaks are coming to fruition. Screenshot of the with-price listings after the break. [Via ArchosFans; thanks, Steve and Axel] Read - 500GB HDD listing Read - 16GB SSD listing Read - 32GB SSD listing Read - DVR Station
Android-based Archos 5-inch Internet Tablet coming September 15 with (you guessed it) an AppsLib store
See that? It's an Android-green invitation to the unveil of the 5-inch Archos Internet Media Tablet. The September 15th date isn't new (it was announced back in June) but it's still good to see things moving ahead as planned. To whet the appetites of would-be developers, Archos has also announced its AppsLib application store for "advanced Android devices." The development guidelines, however, describe just a single, 5-inch 800x480 pixel device with accelerometer, OpenGL 3D graphics support, and HDMI output pushing an oddball 1160x652 pixel resolution to your TV. Right, specs already rumored for the Archos tablet. While not mentioned, we still expect all the other details -- 500GB storage, 10-mm thickness, 7-hours of battery when playing video, voice and HSUPA data radio, and OMAP3440 processor -- unexpectedly announced (by TI!) for the tablet way back in February to be in place when this thing gets live in Paris next month.[Via Pocketables]
Archos 5 firmware adds GPS car holder support, new file browser
We tell ya, the Archos 5 is becoming more inviting by the week. Late last month we saw a much-wanted high-def video plug-in come to light, and now an even newer firmware is adding a few more fantastic amenities. For starters, the v1.6.53 software adds GPS car holder support -- something the Archos 605 acquired last April. Essentially, it enables the device to comprehend map and routing data piped in via the hardware mount, and we should point out that it arrives with TeleAtlas maps for eight regions of Europe, North America and Russia. Additionally, users will definitely spot an all new file browser with drag-and-drop and multi-selection functionality, not to mention the TV Snap-on app that enables the unit to store several different channel lists. For the full changelog and to get that download rolling, give the links below some lovin'.[Thanks, Christopher]Read - Firmware v1.6.53 changelogRead - Firmware download page
New firmware adds high-def video plug-in to Archos 5 / 7
Hey, Archos 5 / 7 users -- do we have your attention? Good. You know that high-def support you've been not-so-patiently waiting for? Archos just hooked you up good fashion. As of right now, the read link is holding fresh firmware for both players (v1.6.03), which tosses in support for WMV / VC-1 playback at 720p (24fps; 6Mbps maximum). The update also fixes a number of bugs involving MP3 tags, TV recording errors and GUI malfunctions. Give it a download and report back, won'tcha?[Thanks, Trevor]
Archos 5 Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner reviewed on video with disarmingly alluring soundtrack
If you're still on the fence about picking up the Snap-on TV DVB-T tuner for your Archos 5, the crew at the French-language site Archos Lounge have snagged a copy and run it through the ringer. Turns out that even with that extra antenna, you'll still need to be reasonably close to the signal source and preferably not blocked by too many walls if you plan on enjoying a broadcast. If all the conditions are optimal, they say it's a pretty decent attachment. If that's not enough, they also produced a "moving pictures" version of their review, completely with a rather kicking soundtrack. Dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and check out the video after the break.
