Having briefly released and then promptly pulling the last firmware update for the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, the French company have left owners waiting as they tweak the apparent “major issue” in the web browser. Now Archos have tried again, releasing firmware 1.7.33 complete with an update to Android 1.6 Donut for the touchscreen tablet.
Archos have released a new firmware update for the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, v1.6.08, and the key change is the introduction of Android 1.6 “Donut”. With the new version of the OS comes the quick-search box for the MID/PMP’s homescreen, improved power management, native WVGA display support and VPN functionality; Archos have also tweaked media handling, so that the Archos 5 Internet Tablet better supports H.264 SD and HD videos.
Update: Strangely, all mention of the update – including the firmware itself – has been pulled from Archos’ site.
It looks like Dell is planning to release a mobile internet device, or a MID. The details are few and far between but the product—code-named Streak—looks like it packs Wi-Fi, 3G and Android 2.0 all into one. It is exactly what Intel has been calling a mobile internet device for the past few years: larger than a smartphone, primarily for accessing the Net, and featuring multimedia and even GPS functionality. The Archos 5 Internet Tablet and the leaked video of the Dell device gives us a better glimpse of what is to come and what it can do. Ironically (and you will see why later), when I watched the video I immediately thought: ah, so Dell wants to make an iPhone with a larger 5-inch screen!
Gadgets leaked by text are far less exciting than blurry, hurriedly-snapped photos, but we won’t turn up our noses at a preview no matter the method. It now appears that Cowon have a touchscreen MID in the works, the Cowon W2, according to a test page at the Bluetooth SIG, though specifications are still scant.
The Archos 9 PCtablet has been somewhat overshadowed by its smaller, Android-based sibling, but the French company would like to remind you that, with the debut of Windows 7, the 9-inch touchscreen “future of netbooks” is now available to buy. £449.99 ($748) gets you a resistive touchscreen, Atom Z515 processor and integrated WiFi and Bluetooth, all in a device 800g and just 1.7cm thick.
Live Archos 9 hands-on gallery after the cut
Here we are again with another week in review, let’s jump right in. A new 160GB Apple TV has popped up with better integration with iTunes 9. This is a good thing, I have one season of Heroes in HD on my 40GB unit and the thing is almost full. Samsung unveiled a new home theater projector this week called the P410M. With football season now going, a projector is a great way to watch the game with life-size players, assuming your room is large enough.
Archos’ Android Internet Tablet, the Archos 5, has shown up for preorder on Amazon in at least three of its forms. The 32GB flash model, together with the 160GB and 500GB hard-drive versions, are all listed, with prices at $379.99, $329.99 and $429.99 respectively.
SlashGear stopped by the Archos launch event last night for the company’s new Android-powered Internet Tablet, the Archos 5. The idea is straightforward: all of Archos’ usual media-centric abilities are there, including broad codec support and the ability to play local and network-based content, but rather than their home-grown Linux-based OS the French company has turned to Android and a custom UI shell.
Hands-on video and gallery after the cut
Archos has gone all official with its new Archos 5 Internet Tablet. The tablet has a large screen that supports HD resolution for media and has a built-in TV recording function. GPS is also built into the device and it runs the Android operating system. The screen is a 5-inch high resolution unit with a full internet browser to rival the surfing experience you get on a computer. The Archos 5 is available with up to 500GB of storage capacity for movies and apps.
Archos’ upcoming Android MID has been prematurely outed by the FCC, ahead of its expected launch on September 15th. The Archos A5S (model 7501) Internet Media Tablet – a second, sibling device, the A5H (model 7502) was also mentioned in the user guide – bears a strong resemblance to the company’s existing Archos 5, has a 5-inch (or possibly 4.8-inch) touchscreen display and includes WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and an FM transmitter/receiver.
SlashGear JP
