Full Market access gives you access to all 300,000 apps on the Android Market. The tablet has a 7-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600, which is a higher resolution update to the original tablet screen. The 70b has 512MB of RAM onboard allowing for better multitasking and a smoother web experience.

The 70b tablet will also get WiFi and 3D graphics acceleration. It comes with some apps on web browser and email integrated. Other features have HDMI output and microSD connectivity. That HDMI output will let you shoot content out to your TV.

There’s also a custom ARCHOS Alarm Clock app, which offers weather, traffic and news updates along with the basics like waking you up in the morning. 4GB of onboard storage, plus a microSD card slot, takes care of local files, while there’s also a front-facing VGA webcam and a microphone.

Many of the usual Android apps, like the browser and email, are still loaded, though you don’t get Android Market access; instead, there’s the AppsLib store and the ability to sideload .apk files to your heart’s content. Inside there’s a 1GHz OMAP3630 processor and USB 2.0 connectivity; Archos isn’t saying how long the non-removable battery will last at this stage.

The Archos Home Connect 35 is available now, priced at $149 directly from the company.

The video shows the OS version to be 4.0.1 and the video goes though some of the transitions and the UI elements. The OS is very smooth looking with minimal lag and delay between actions and the movement of the screen. Zooming of photos is also very fluid and smooth with no stuttering.

The G9 tablet that the OS is running on uses an OMAP4 processor. The UIs and transitions on the video look good, but there are a few things left to work on before the final release. Apparently hardware acceleration for video, support for 3G sticks and a few other things aren’t working.

[via ARMdevices.net]

The new Arnova 9 G2 tablet comes packed with a 9.7-inch capacitive, multi-touch touch panel, a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 single-core processor, stereo speakers, a built-in microphone and a forward-facing camera. Moreover, it houses a sturdy 8 gigs of flash storage, a microSD card slot, a USB port & micro USB port, and 802,11b/g/n WiFi wireless connectivity. Google’s Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system comes standard on board, as it does on most tablet computers running Android OS these days.

In terms of dimensions, the tablet measures a standard-esque 9.4″ a 7.2″ x 0.5″ and weighs 1.4 pounds. Which basically makes it a tidbit smaller than a 1st-generation Apple iPad. Although Archos hasn’t revealed the pricing for the tablet yet, the Arnova 9 G2 in all likelihood will also be quite a bit cheaper than an iPad. Archos also has tablet offerings at the 7, 8, and 10.1 inch display sizes as part of its budget-focused Arnova G2 lineup, and the majority of these tablets sell for under $250. And if you haven’t checked out Archos in awhile, be sure to check out our recent review of the Archos 80 G9 tablet.

[via Liliputing]

Hardware

This is one of the first devices you’ll find on the market using the Texas Instruments OMAP4 dual-core processor (running here at 1GHz) and the first tablet you’ll see running the processor (other than developer units, of course). This is Texas Instruments first dual-core processor on the market and one we first saw up and running all the way back at MWC 2011 in Barcelona. We first got out hands on these devices (prototype versions, at least), back in June of 2011 where we saw both versions again. Have a look first here at the video from that session:

Next have a look at our most recent re-introduction to these devices courtesy of ARCHOS themselves just this past week:

If you haven’t just watched the videos above, you should know that the ARCHOS 80 G9 tablet has a kickstand. It’s got a microSD slot, an HDMI port, headphone jack, power/lock button, and microUSB port, and that’s all on the same side – the left-hand side if you’re holding the device in landscape mode which, if you’ve not noticed by now, is the way ARCHOS intends you to hold it (or set it on the tablet, as the kickstand would suggest). Unfortunately the kickstand itself is not as strong as we’d like, especially given the fact that this one will be holding up a whole tablet. It’s constructed of plastic and won’t survive very long if a child (or a clumsy adult) gets ahold of it. While it is in tact, on the other hand, it works very nicely to give this unit a unique ability to hold itself at exactly the angle I use tablets at every day.

The ports (ports galore!) make this device one of the most versatile tablets right out of the box, right after the Toshiba THRIVE which prides itself on being able to plug in anything. Having basically every kind of port that I’d ever need certainly ads to the out-of-box experience that many of the higher-priced tablets simply do not. They’ve got converters and 3rd party cords that need to be purchased to make it all happen. ARCHOS scores big points for this.

Along those same lines is the construction of the tablet. We’ve not yet seen a tear-down of either of the G9 tablets so we’re not aware of the innards, but outside it appears that this is the nicest set of tablets ARCHOS has yet presented. They’re a real big-time effort, this tablet able to be placed amongst the rest of the Honeycomb tablets we’ve reviewed here on SlashGear, not low quality like some of the similarly priced units we’ve come across.

The 80 G9 is nice to handle, has a unique shape to it, and has a relatively decent display on it. Where previous ARCHOS tablets suffered from some not so perfect viewing angles, here we get at least 90 degrees of good color and alignment, where you’re not QUITE able to see perfectly when you’ve got the device nearly flat, it’s alright, because why on earth would you be looking at it like that anyway? The tablet is light, it’s thin enough to run with the big dogs, and again, it feels very nice to handle.

Before we go on, let’s catch some unboxing and hands-on action courtesy of yours truly, opening the box and handling the device like a pro:

Note that there’s a bit of an issue with the music in this video – turns out the song file happened to be corrupt – there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with the speakers, the playback, the music app, any of that. Just the file that you’ll never ever come in contact with for the final release. No worries!

Software and Performance

Devices that also run the same processor as you’re seeing working here in the G9 series are the LG THRILL 4G glasses-free 3D smartphone and the Motorola DROID BIONIC, a 4G LTE device and the first to have both a dual-core and LTE connectivity. What this should tell you is that this processor, the Texas Instruments OMAP4, is no small cookie. This device should feel unique running it, especially since ARCHOS now has the only two Android tablets on the market with a dual-core processor not made by NVIDIA. Is that a good thing? It’s certainly a unique thing.

In the above photo, the apps Antutu Benchmark (the bunny in the upper right) and CF-Bench are the only two apps that do not come with the tablet right out of the box. You’ll see all the different apps you get with the tablet in the hands-on videos above.

Inside the tablet you’ll find a unique range of apps (that, again, you can see listed in the hands-on and unboxing video above. Best of all is the fact that ARCHOS didn’t do TOO much to change Honeycomb at all. This appears to be a trend amongst tablet producers since Android 3.0 Honeycomb was released, not changing it very much at all (with a few big exceptions) leaving a Vanilla experience for Android users across the states. Will all this change with Ice Cream Sandwich? We shall see. For now, the bees continue to buzz.

We can run any number of high-flying apps requiring the full processor power of a dual-core chip, and most of them run just about as well as they can on either of the other two devices running the same OMAP4 right this moment. This is a tier-one device and you can tell by the quickness in the running of every app. The smallest amount of disappointment comes from the space right around the rim of the display where the border begins – it’s here that touch responsiveness appears to wane just the smallest amount, and this is certainly not because of the software, but because the hardware leads our fingers past the border. Strange? Yes. Will I get used to it after a few weeks of work and play? Certainly I will.

For benchmarks, you’ll have to note that we’ve got the 1GHz version of the 80 G9 tablet here, where we still understand a 1.5GHz version to come out as well. Have a glance at what this 1GHz version of the OMAP4 can do:

Camera

There’s but one camera on this device, and it’s forward facing. Here we’ve got a brief video and a photo or two to show you the quality. More than likely you’ll be using this device’s camera for video chat and that’s it.

Battery

As you can see here, there’s been some major optimization done with OMAP4′s processor conserving energy while the device is in sleep mode. It looks as if this device could survive essentially forever if we’d simply let it stay at home in bed. In use, we get less than a day’s work out of the device before we need to charge, but that’s with movie watching, HDMI outputting, high-demanding games, and the like. Normal users should expect right around a full day’s use.

Wrap-Up

This is the first Texas Instruments dual-core 1GHz OMAP4 processor-toting Android tablet on the market, and it’s pretty decent. The kickstand, being as large and obviously important as it seems, is a bit of a disappointment as it’s made of plastic and isn’t very sturdy. Even if it should fail, though, you’ve still got four rubber nubbins on the back of the device to sit flat for some excellent tablet-top action. This tablet is uniquely sized, has the ability to plug in many devices and cards, and is reasonably priced at $299 at the ARCHOS online store right now with a 1.5GHz version on the way for an increased price. At this price, I think we’ve got a winner. At least for those students looking to purchase a tablet computer without dropping their whole week’s wages on one.

As far as the software goes, it’s your basic Honeycomb experience with a few awesome app bonuses right out of the box. I hesitate going too far into out-of-box app experiences since unless it’s a unique app to that device, you can download them yourself no matter what device you buy. Here we’ve got a few from column B, and a few from column A, this second column being ARCHOS and apps that we can only get here. These apps are certainly decent and definitely a selling point (or it should be) for retailers and ARCHOS online.

Is this the tablet for you? It’s a strange time to be purchasing a tablet since we know that before the end of the year, we’ll be seeing quad-core processors on the market. That said, we’ve seen single-core devices out-perform dual-core devices in the past, it all depends on what software you’re running. ARCHOS, you did a pretty decent job here making a tablet that’s going to be accessible by the masses. People will buy it and love it if you include replaceable kickstands. The rest of the tablet is good to go!

What’s inside of this and the 101 G9 tablet, you might ask? Why, it’s not the NVIDIA Tegra 2, as you might expect, no, it’s the Texas Instruments OMAP4 dual-core processor running at 1GHz, and it’s pumped up! Take a look at our first brief benchmark as run with CF-Bench below and you’ll see that the only more powerful device in the system is the Galaxy S II, a device we’ve also got storming our door today via AT&T. This tablet has no carrier thus far here in the USA, instead working with Wi-fi only at the moment with an empty shell filling the USB slot on the back of the device.

We’ve got a video here filmed by Vince earlier today showing the director of marketing for ARCHOS with the G9 80 giving you a full rundown of what it means to work with one on a daily basis.

The benchmark, CF-Bench, that we’ve run here shows not only some Java-based marks and your total score in relation to some regular opponents, but the kind of processor this device has as well, product numbers and all. Have a look in the gallery below (images popping up larger so you can see the detail) to witness the glory:

Our first impressions of this tablet are that it’s thin, it seems to be relatively well constructed, and it’s really ready to hit the mid-range tablet market. It’s got a pretty darn powerful processor sitting inside its guts, and the multitude of ports along the left side of the unit are going to be a great selling point. Have a look at the videos above and below and let us know if you’ve got any questions we can answer or tests we can run for the full review, coming up soon!

BONUS here we’ve got yours truly unboxing and running through some apps and the general layout all the way back here in sunny Minnesota:

The Archos 101 G9 tablet will come in two versions with a 16GB version that sells for $399. The 250GB version of that tablet will sell for $469. The Archos 80 G9 with 16GB will sell for $329 and the 250GB version will sell for $369. The 250GB version of each model use a HDD inside and the other version uses flash storage. There will be a third version of the Archos 80 G9 with 8GB of storage and a 1GHz processor for $299 that will be in stores on September 30.

The tablets all use a 1GHz Arm Cortex A9 dual core processor. There will also be a Turbo version with the OMAP 4 dual-core processor at 1.5GHz. There are no other details offered on that turbo version. The line runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb, supports Flash, apps, email, and all the other things we expect from an Android tablet.

[via Android Community]

The last time we spoke about an Arnova tablet, it was the Archos Arnova 7, a device that seemed to sacrifice specs for relatively low cost. On the other hand, our sister site Android Community appears to have found the first word of this tablet, that being an announcement image back at the beginning of June, 2011. The Arnova 8 series is not to be confused with the new G9 series, the former carrying Android 2.3 Gingerbread, has a 1Ghz single-core processor, and will be aimed at the mid-range tablet market with some fabulously low pricing.

The FCC listing for the Arnova 8 can be found [here] and a gallery of images included in that listing can be found below. If you’d like more information on the Archos 80 G9 or the Archos 101 G9, you can view our full hands-on posts as done by Chris Davies, both of these tablets being Honeycomb tablets on the other hand.

Do any of these tablets seem appealing to you? Perhaps you’d like alternatives? There’s the very recently reviewed Vizio Tablet, or perhaps you’d like the Toshiba Thrive, maybe the tiny BeBook Live, the nearly as small HTC Flyer, the most awesome Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the fan favorite ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, the sweet silver ACER Iconia Tab A500, the 3D capable T-Mobile G-Slate, the small rounded Dell Streak 7, the first popular Android tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 7-inch, or the classically awesome Motorola XOOM. Most of these devices run the NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor, running what’s still the world’s only dual-core processor sitting on an Android tablet – get power!

[via Android Community]

First let’s get into this contest business. We’ve got the Tabletpalooza contest coming to a close at the end of this month, therefor our last two tablets are up for grabs, one on Android Community, the other here on SlashGear, and that’s an Acer Iconia Tab A500 and a Galaxy Tab 10.1, both of them fabulous, both of them free. Then we’ve got a cool couple of tablets from down Archos way: one Archos 70 Internet Tablet and one Archos 101 Internet Tablet. Win one! Finally, it’s time to hook you up with the king of HTCs, that being the Sensation as carried by Three in the UK – open to UK residents only, here’s a giveaway you won’t want to miss!

Next I encourage you to take a look at Rue’s weekly roundup for July 24th. This is a weekly event, of course, and I encourage you to take a look at this video each week!

As for reviews, there’s a handful of fantastic looks at computing and mobile that you’ve just got to view, starting with Apple’s new MacBook Air 13-inch core i5 notebook and Mac OS X Lion, both of them being monsters in their own special way. Then there’s the Toshiba Thrive which we’ve got a double dose of: one review by Rue and one review by yours truly. Then we’ve got a review of the new Motorola XPRT and the Motorola TRIUMPH just incase you missed it from last week.

On that note, I need you to take a look at the newest project we’ve got for all your device specification needs. It’s our Android Phone, Tablet, and Devices Database on Android Community. It looks utterly slick and has all the info you need to keep up! Check it out at http://device.ac/ and don’t forget to hit up the individual portals like http://device.ac/nvidia/ – dual core energy!

A few news bits are next, starting with the Samsung Galaxy R, a lower-tier Galaxy S II, HTC Sensation getting ClockworkMod, the brand newest version of the Android Market, version 3.0.27, available for download with a trick, Gingerbread coming to the T-Mobile LG G2X, and HTC bypassing Apple patent ire for their 2012 Android range. Apple has had a couple of really interesting plausible future projects in the works: Assistan Voice Control, a lovely flat, Keyless Keyboard, and of course, face detection API added to iOS 5.

A few columns coming your way as well:
Philip Berne presents Climbing the Mount Everest of Twitter
Don Reisinger busts a cap with Let’s Face It: Microsoft innovation makes Apple look bad in the Living Room
and again Philip Berne writes Revisiting my Anti-Tech Resolutions

Open to SlashGear’s US readers, entering is incredibly straightforward. To take part, you must:

1. Add +Ewdison Then (url: http://ewdi.jp/+) to your Circle(s) on Google+*

2. Comment in our SlashGear Archos 101 Giveaway thread with a comment tagging +Ewdison Then : this will count as your entry, and note that you may only enter this giveaway ONCE – all additional entries beyond your first will be deleted.

3. You are now entered into the SlashGear Archos 101 giveaway!

*if you don’t already have access to Google+, send your name and email to giveaway @ slashgear.com

Rules

Giveaway begins July 25 and ends August 1, 11:59PM CST barring any complications finding a winner.

Competition is open to residents of the US over the age of 18. Family members of Archos and SlashGear/Android Community are not permitted to enter. Competition entries are only accepted via the specified SlashGear Google+ Page — entries left in the comments section of this or any other post will not be recognized. One entry per person (and yes, we check).

The winners will be contacted by a SlashGear or Android Community staff member upon being selected and will be expected to respond to that staff member; they will be expected to respond within 24 hours else their prize may be forfeit and another winner selected. Editors decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winner agrees that their name and details of their entry may be used for promotional purposes by, but not limited to, Three, SlashGear, and Android Community.

Prize consists of one Archos 101 Internet Tablet. There is no cash alternative or any other alternative for prize winners unless this prize should become unavailable, in which case SlashGear and Archos reserve the right to substitute another prize of equal or greater value.

Giveaway provided by SlashGear/Android Community. Prizing provided by Archos. Any questions regarding this giveaway should be directed to Giveaway @ SlashGear.com

The launch date is a bit more firm today with the announcement that the tablets will ship in September. That is good news, but the bad news is that apparently the price has been increased a bit from what it was last month when we played with the tablets. Last month we were expecting the G9 80 to land starting at $279. The price is now pegged at $299 to start making the tablet $20 more than we expected.

The larger G9 101 version for the tablet will reportedly start at $369.99. Those prices are both for the base 8GB capacity version. There is no indication on what the 250GB capacity versions of the tablet will sell for. The HDD that will give the tablets such a massive storage capacity is the 7mm thick Momentus Thin HDD.

[via Android Community]

Android was always intended to find its way into more than just smartphones and tablets, and Archos has taken Google’s advice. The Archos 35 is a compact, lightweight touchscreen radio, with stereo speakers and a 3.5-inch color display, offering both local playback of photos, music and video – there’s 4GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot to boost the total up to 20GB – as well as 50,000 streaming radio stations courtesy of the TuneIn app.

Build quality is a little on the plasticky side, but the benefit is that it’s surprisingly lightweight despite the integrated battery. Ports include a 3.5mm headphone socket and microUSB port for charging/syncing, while there’s WiFi b/g/n to get online. A webcam on the front can shoot stills and video, as well as be used with video calling apps, but they’ll need to be available in the unofficial AppsLib download store since there’s no Android Market access.

As for the Archos 35 Smart Home Phone, that looks like an Android cellphone but in fact is a DECT handset for use around the house. Nonetheless, it has a front-facing 720p HD camera for video calls (over WiFi), together with the Android browser and email client. It’ll also work as a remote control for the Home Connect radio and the Archos 80 G9/101 G9 tablets, useful if you’ve got the latter two slates plugged into your HDTV via HDMI to play back Full HD video.

Archos 35 Home Connect & Smart Home Phone hands-on:

Both run Android 2.2.1 Froyo with some custom apps. The Archos 35 runs a 1GHz OMAP3630 single-core processor, though it falls behind Froyo smartphones of the same speed in terms of real-world performance. As for the DECT phone, Archos isn’t saying exactly what processor is inside, but we were mightily unimpressed with both its responsiveness and its touchscreen performance. Considering basic Android handsets can get both of these factors right, we’re hoping Archos’ teething pains are down to these being prototypes rather than evidence of what we’ll see on store shelves come September.

An internet radio does make sense – at $149 we can imagine it being a neat addition to a nightstand, for instance – but the primary benefit of Android over, say, a chumby is lost since there’s no official Android Market access. That narrows its audience to those willing to either live with the preloaded functionality or to dig through unofficial app stores and sideload .apk applications.

Whether Android has a place on a $159 landline phone, though, is less clear-cut. The Archos 35 Smart Home Phone seems to be struggling from a crisis of purpose: is it a remote control, or a phone, or a tiny home tablet, or a PMP replacement? If it’s a remote then the fact it’s limited to only controlling Archos’ recent hardware is a significant shortcoming; if it’s a tiny home tablet or a PMP then the display is simply too small to persuade us to put down our existing smartphone.

Based on specs alone, you can easily see why the Archos tablets have would-be tableteers excited. The Archos 80 G9 has an 8-inch 4:3 aspect 1024 x 768 display while the Archos 101 G9 has a 10.1-inch 16:9 aspect 1280 x 800 display; both use capacitive touchscreens, run Android 3.1 Honeycomb, pack WiFi and can be fitted with an optional pre-paid 3G USB data stick in a special niche on the back.

Archos have some impressive claims about their TI OMAP4 processor, suggesting it’s 50-percent faster than the Tegra 2 more commonly found inside Honeycomb slates. Unfortunately, that promise isn’t borne out in practice; we found both tablets to be sluggish, with achingly slow screen rotation and Archos’ custom media player apps either taking an age to load music or video, or simply crashing altogether. If you can get them to work, there’s an HDMI output on both the 80 G9 and 101 G9, and the Full HD 1080p footage looked smooth (as long as the source clip was of sufficient quality).

Archos 80 G9 and 101 G9 hands-on:

It’s important to bear in mind, of course, that these are still prototypes; the commercial models aren’t expected to go sale until September 2011. They showed all the hallmarks of prototype status too, with webcams that offered murky, strobing pictures and crashes galore. Construction is the same as we’ve seen on previous Archos slates, with a reasonably tough grey plastic casing around a metal internal chassis. They don’t exactly feel as reassuringly expensive as an iPad, but they’re sturdier (and thicker, and heavier) than a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Of the two, we preferred the 8-inch model, its compact size and 4:3 screen ratio making the whole thing feel more spacious than Samsung’s original 7-inch Galaxy Tab but far easier to hold in one hand than the long, relatively narrow 101 G9. The advantage of the 10.1-inch tablet, though, is its storage: Archos has packed in a 250GB Seagate hard-drive, which means it’s less shock-resistant but also can store a sizable library of music and HD video, something well in keeping with the French company’s PMP background.

It’s too early for a final judgement – we’d want to see stable production versions first – but we can’t see either Archos tablet grabbing significant market share from the iPad. What could be at risk, though, are low-cost slates from little-known brands, the sort that make up the bottom end of the market and often disappoint with their missing Android Market and wobbly performance. In contrast, Archos has a little more brand cachet and comes with the authentic Honeycomb experience. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of work to be done before the September release.

Various budget-friendly Android tablets are on their way, including the Vizio 8-inch tablet, Acer Iconia Tab A100, Archos G9 series 8-inch and 10-inch tablets, and the Huawei MediaPad. Various smartphones are either on their way or have just launched, including the Motorola TRIUMPH, Droid 3, and Droid Bionic. There’s also the AT&T LG Thrill 4G and the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide. Some Apple news rounds out this week’s review. The full video and list of pertinent links can be found below.

Nokia:
Nokia N9 official: 3.9-inch MeeGo smartphone
Nokia N9 hands-on [Video]
Nokia N9 on sale “within a month”?
Nokia N9 Android app support promised with Alien Dalvik
N9 camera fastest around boasts Nokia; NFC image transfers supported
Nokia N9 Sweden Release September 23rd, Gorilla Ice Cream in Tow
Nokia Windows Phone gets demo: N9-a-like shows Microsoft love [Video]
Nokia unveils new accessories for its smartphones
Nokia N9 and NFC Nokia Play 360 speaker hands-on [Video]
Nokia N950 confirmed for MeeGo devs: 4-inch QWERTY slider
Nokia N950 arriving with MeeGo developers now
Nokia N950 gets video tease
Nokia N950 teardown revealed

RIM:
RIM Forcing Half-Baked BlackBerrys On To Carriers?
Seesmic App Drops BlackBerry Support, Other Apps To Follow?
RIM Starts Layoffs After Dismal BlackBerry News
RIM slashes PlayBook sales goals for Q2 2011

Upcoming budget-friendly Android tablets:
Vizio 8-Inch Android Tablet Demoed In Hands-On
Acer Iconia Tab A100 Hits Walmart For $349
Archos G9 Android 3.1 Tablets Get Dual-Core Fast, 250GB Storage, 3G Ready, And Low Price
Huawei MediaPad brings Android 3.2 on 7-inch 1.2GHz dual-core
Android 3.2 Honeycomb update in “next few weeks”; Huawei MediaPad tipped for August

Smartphones:
Motorola TRIUMPH Pre-Orders Start Today At Best Buy For $299
Motorola Droid 3 To Arrive At Best Buy July 13?
Motorola Droid Bionic Still On Schedule
LG Thrill 4G For AT&T Officially Unveiled
T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide caught in wild ahead of July 6 release

Apple:
Apple Final Cut Pro X released
Apple Final Cut Pro X To Get Updates Every Six Months
Samsung denied early iPad 3/iPhone 5 access but Apple sales injunction hopes fade
Apple files patent infringement suit against Samsung in South Korea
Apple granted iPhone multitouch patent: Lawyers prepare for action
iOS 5 Beta 2 Now Available To Developers
Mac OS X v 10.6.8 update now available
New AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule details emerge, launch imminent
Apple Time Capsule gets 3TB storage boost [Ouch: $499!]
Apple AirPort Extreme gets tiny blip of an update
Mac Pro and Mac Mini August refresh tipped: Sandy Bridge, Thunderbolt and Lion
iPhone 5 to be an August game-changer?

Hands-on/Reviews:
LaCie Little Big Disk with Thunderbolt hands-on [Video]
HTC EVO View 4G Review
Windows Phone 7.1 Mango Technical Preview

The Archos 35 Home Connect is a portable device for streaming radio or music from anywhere in your home. It is very small and compact but packs in two high-definition speakers designed for enhanced bass and touts a extra long battery life. The touchscreen displays clock, weather, traffic, and news apps and allows for access to other apps such as games. It also has a front-facing webcam to support video calling.

The Archos 35 Smart Home Phone is compatible with any ADSL box or phone line that uses standard DECT protocols. But at the same time, brings you an Android interface that lets you sync contacts with your Android smartphone, customize MP3 ringtones, caller photo display, web browsing, emails, and video calling. It even gives you access to Android apps.

The Archos 35 Home Connect is priced at $149 while the Smart Home Phone is priced at $159. Both are expected to arrive by the end of September.

The Archos 80 G9 features is the 8-inch version with a 4:3 ratio and 1024 x 768 resolution. The Archos 101 G9 is the 10-inch version with a 16:10 ratio and 1280 x 800 resolution. Inside, the G9 series is powered by Texas Instrument’s 1.5GHz dual-core OMAP 4 processor that Archos touts as 50% faster than NVIDIA’s Tegra 2 processors. There’s also HDMI output and support for 1080p playback.

But perhaps most impressive is the use of Seagate’s HDD with a 250GB capacity that’s the largest used on any tablet currently in the market. Archos says its 8 times more storage at the same cost of a standard 32GB tablet and with all that space you can store over 50 hours of full 1080p HD content.

Both tablets are 3G-ready, meaning that there’s only one version instead of both a Wi-Fi-only and a 3G/Wi-Fi version. The one version supports Wi-Fi and can also support 3G with the addition of a USB dongle. The Archos G9 3G Stick is designed to fit into the back of all G9 tablets to get 3G connectivity. It costs $49 for the 3G Stick.

The Archos 80 G9 is priced at only $279 while the Archos 101 G9 is priced at $349. Competing tablets with similar specs are generally priced starting at $499. This is quite an amazing deal and its scheduled to arrive by the end of September.

The Archos Arnova 7 features a 7-inch screen with only an 800×480 resolution. It will run on Android 2.2 Froyo with 4GB of RAM and support 720p video playback at 30fps of most popular media formats. It will also have Wi-Fi, microSD slot, built-in speaker, mic, and one USB port. The body measures 12mm thick and weighs in at 340 grams or 12 ounces.

However, here comes the sacrifices. No processor specs were listed, which means its definitely not at a speed worth highlighting. And, it doesn’t appear to have either a front or back camera. There’s also no mention of whether it will support GPS and Bluetooth. The device has been on sale in the UK since the end of May and should be arriving soon to the U.S., although no specific date has been given yet.

If you’re aching for an Android tablet but really do have a tighter budget and still want some good specs, then you might take a look at Vizio’s 8-inch tablet that’s set for $349 or hold off to see what Amazon has in store for its first tablet offering this August.

[via TFTS]

The Archos 9 PC Tablet merges the power of the desktop OS with the portability of a tablet form factor. It features a 9-inch matte-finish touchscreen powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z515 CPU. It has a 32GB solid state hard drive, a built-in webcam, WiFi, stereo speakers, microphone, USB port, and Bluetooth.

The tablet comes pre-loaded with Lotus Symphony for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It also has a built-in adjustable kickstand that lets you angle it high for watching videos as well as angle it low for typing. Battery life is rated up to firve hours, but is swappable with a spare battery.

External hard drives, printers, and digital cameras can all be connected to the Archos 9 via its USB port. Bluetooth keyboards and peripherals can also be connected. It supports Flash 9 videos and can stream 1080p HD videos to your TV from YouTube, Hulu and more. The tablet is available now on the Archos site and is priced at $499.99.

[via Archos]

The press release, which you can read below, is actually pretty devoid of any actual real information regarding the devices themselves. However, their product page, which is where you’ll want to go if you want to purchase one of these little guys for yourself, tells us that the Archos 28 features a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, while the Archos 32 has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen. The site also says that both of the PMPs will have Android 2.2 under the hood, ready to go.

Space wise, the Archos 28 will have either a 4GB or 8GB option, while the Archos 32 will have 8GB of memory. Both PMPs feature integrated WiFi, making sure that you’re able to connect to the Internet while you’re out and about, as long as you can find a hotspot. You’ll be able to play “3D games,” as well as make full use of applications. There’s also a video camera on the Archos 32, but not the 28. The Archos 28 will set you back $99.99, for the 4GB model, while the 32 costs $149.99

Press Release

ARCHOS 28 and 32 bring the Android revolution to MP3/MP4 player market with the first connected android PMP players starting from $99 On display January 6 – 9, 2011 at CES 2011, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 2 Booth # 26425

Denver, Colorado – December 29, 2010 – ARCHOS, an award winning technology innovator and leader in the portable media player market today will show ARCHOS 28 and 32 pocket sized internet tablets at CES. The ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets, revolutionize the world of MP3/MP4 players by adding a WiFi connection and the Android framework for the price of a standard MP3 player. With 8GB of storage, users can play and listen to over 4000 songs anywhere and with a variety of Android based applications they can also chat, game and partake in social networking from at home or on the go. These pocket sized tablets (28 internet tablet measures 3.9” x 2.1” x 0.35” and the 32 internet tablet measures 4.1” x 2.1” x 0.3”) are available for $99.99 MSRP for the ARCHOS 28 internet tablet and $149.99 MSRP for the ARCHOS 32 internet tablet at ARCHOS.com.

All You Can Play

Store, play and discover more music with free access to all the great music applications such as Napster. The ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets allow you to discover new artists, listen to old favorites and have access to millions of songs. Users can easily access music from these open-platform MP3 players at a comparable price to MP3 players with closed platforms. ARCHOS also includes their Music Cover Carrousel, a built-in music application that allows users to browse through album covers and add widgets to the home screen for instant access to media controls.

“We are proud to release the first connected Android PMP players with the ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets” says Henri Crohas, CEO and Founder. “MP3/MP4 users can now listen to their music while chatting and socializing with friends on the internet for an affordable price.”

More than a PMP player: stay connected with your Buddies

With Android as an operating system, application options are unlimited in these pocket size devices. Users will enjoy chatting, social networking and gaming with either of these tablets. Ebuddy, a preloaded app can be accessed directly from home and allows users to stay in touch with friends with ease. Photo fantastic’s can also easily capture their greatest memories and post them directly on their favorite social Media web site such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. There’s also an email application to stay in touch and users can play all the greatest games including 3D games thanks to the built-in accelerometer and 3D open GL technology. Lastly, multimedia fans can also enjoy playing their favorite videos.

For more information about the ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets and other ARCHOS products visit www.ARCHOS.com.

About ARCHOS

ARCHOS released the first pocket-sized HD-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000 and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company invented the portable media player in 2003 and was the first to bring television recording, wireless and touch screens to Portable Media Players. ARCHOS has also introduced the Internet Media Tablet range – the 5, 5g and 7 – offering users instant, uncompromising access to the internet, media content and TV. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the Unites States, Europe and Asia. ARCHOS is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment B, ISIN Code FR0000182479. www.ARCHOS.com

The tablet features the same amenities we’ve come to expect. The device features integrated WiFi, and the tablet is made of a unique over-molded PVD stainless steel structured slim design. The display features a capacitive touchscreen (thankfully), and there’s a 1GHz processor controlling the show. There’s an HDMI out port, making sure you’ll be able to connect your tablet to an external display, if you want.

You won’t find Android 2.3, though, as the device is available with Android 2.2. The press release doesn’t make a mention of upgrade plans, either. The tablet is available right now from Archos.com. It has a price tag that will set you back $349.99. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Press Release

ARCHOS 70 internet tablet, the first android tablet with a 250GB HDD, will be on display January 6 – 9, 2011 at CES 2011, Las Vegas Convention Center – South Hall 2 Booth # 26425

Denver, Colorado – December 29, 2010 – ARCHOS, an award winning technology innovator and leader in the portable media player market today announced the availability of the ARCHOS 70 internet tablet, 250GB version in retail stores. The ARCHOS 70 internet tablet, 250GB version offers a unique over-molded PVD stainless steel structured slim and light design. It also features the latest technology high res capacitive touch screen, a powerful 1 GHz processor and high speed WiFi that allows PC like web-surfing. Although the tablet sports 250GB, it is still the slimmest and the lightest (7.91 x 4.49 x 0.55 inch – 14 oz) on the market and is now available for $349.99 MSRP at ARCHOS.com

The ARCHOS 70 internet tablet – 250GB is a connected mobile device with a sublime user interface, 3D Graphics accelerator and Wi-Fi connectivity. With Android™ Froyo compatibility as the user interface, this tablet comes with a full pack of connected apps such as a web browser and email application, flash 10.1, HDMI output connectivity, tethering via your mobile phone and home streaming from your PC capability.

“We are proud to be the first to release an android tablet that features a 250GB HDD” says Henri Crohas, CEO and Founder. “We strive to be the leader in the Android and Windows based tablet market by creating award winning innovative options at affordable prices.”

Connected Android™ tablet

As a Hi-def multimedia tablet, users will experience:

A huge storage capacity to store up to 250 movies
A full multimedia experience, with 720p HD video playback
Built-in web cam for chatting with friends and family
With the HDMI output function, you can view the full Android interface on your TV in High Definition, including all the apps, not only video playback like other tablets on the market
Play 3D games from your TV and use your tablet as the steering-wheel/control
Unique Android Multimedia applications designed by ARCHOS such as:
Movie information and cover retrieval in video file info dialog
3D animated photo frame with ability to display pictures from Facebook, Flickr and Picassa directly through WiFi
Music cover carrousel allows quick browsing of your music album covers
A lot of applications with Appslib to fit your lifestyle including games, books, music, social media, recipes, news and sports
This latest tablet is from a long line of ultra affordable and ultra portable internet, multimedia, wide screen and super-fast tablets released by ARCHOS. In 2010, ARCHOS released a 10.1 ‘’ tablet with capacitive touch screen. As a connected android device it offers a very fast web browsing and HD multimedia experience from a 10.1”high resolution screen. The rest of the line up includes Android based tablets ranging in size from 2.8” to the 10.1“.

For more information about the ARCHOS 70 internet tablet and other ARCHOS products visit www.ARCHOS.com

About ARCHOS

ARCHOS released the first pocket-sized HD-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000 and since that time has revolutionized consumer electronics devices. The company invented the portable media player in 2003 and was the first to bring television recording, wireless and touch screens to Portable Media Players. ARCHOS has also introduced the Internet Media Tablet range – the 5, 5g and 7 – offering users instant, uncompromising access to the internet, media content and TV. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the Unites States, Europe and Asia. ARCHOS is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment B, ISIN Code FR0000182479. www.archos.com

The news, unsurprisingly, hasn’t impressed French PMP and tablet company Archos, which has accused the government of discriminating against its own enterprises while giving US and Japanese firms preferential treatment. The company claims it paid €3m ($3.9m) in private copying taxes in 2009 alone.

[via TechDirt]

There’s also an SD card slot for up to 16GB of extra capacity, stereo speakers and a USB port. Battery life is tipped at up to 10 hours of ebook reading, 6 hours of video or 18 hours of music with the screen turned off.

The same model passed through the FCC earlier this month, so there’s a fair chance we could be seeing the Archos 70b make a debut on American shores as well. That filing billed it as having support for the Adobe DRM used in the Google eBookstore (which is currently US-only), so it would certainly fit in there.

[via Blogeee]

The Archos 70 comes with 8GB of storage, along with WiFi b/g/n, an HDMI output, microSDHC card slot and a front-facing camera for video calls.  It runs Android 2.2 Froyo and the display is WVGA resolution; you don’t get Android Market access, however.  No word on when the $349.99 250GB version will go on sale.

As for the smaller Archos 43, that has an 854 x 480 display, HDMI output, a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera, USB Host support and WiFi b/g/n.   We grabbed hands-on time with the Archos 43 and Archos 70 back at IFA, where we also shot the following videos:

Archos 70 hands-on:

Archos 43 hands-on:

[via Android Community]

For a start, it’s running a Samsung 533MHz ARM processor, which means you get Windows CE 6.0 rather than XP or Windows 7.  There’s a mere 128MB of RAM and 2GB ROM, and Archos aren’t saying how long the Arnova should last from a full charge of the 2,100mAh battery.

More ominous is the single review on Amazon, which basically says that within the space of 24hrs the Arnova crashed and, even when running, was painfully slow.  We’re not sure why Archos is willing to put their name to this sort of kit, but it looks to be one to avoid.

[via ARMDevices]

Archos was demonstrating the 101 IT running Android 2.1, but we’re expecting it to see an upgrade to Froyo 2.2 by the time it reaches shelves.  There’ll be no Android Market access, either, only the French company’s own AppsLib download store.  Still, with a tipped price of just $299.99 for the 8GB model (or $50 more for the 16GB version) we can imagine there’ll be plenty of people willing to either look past that limitation or use some sort of workaround.

[via Ubergizmo]

All three support a broad range of video codecs (AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, WMV) and will run Android 2.2 Froyo when they launch in the next couple of months (Archos’ demo units were loaded with a 2.1 test build).  The Archos 28 and 32 both use an 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and the 43 gets a 1GHz version; all have WiFi b/g/n plus USB Host and Bluetooth 2.1.  None have Android Market access, instead using Archos’ own AppsLib download store.

The baby of the bunch, the Archos 28, has 4GB or 8GB of flash storage, and feels a lot like a cheap Android smartphone.  The display is pixelated and, despite the long list of codecs, the PMP lends itself more to audio playback.  Responsiveness is fair, and Archos’ new media app looks good, but we can’t see buyers picking this over a comparably priced iPod.

As for the Archos 32, that’s got 8GB of storage as standard and comes with a 720p-capable camera.  The bigger display is low-resolution for its size, however, which undermines browsing and video playback, and makes for a tricky typing experience with the onscreen keyboard.

Archos 43 hands-on:

Of the three, the Archos 43 is the most successful, though the company’s choice of a resistive rather than capacitive touchscreen may lose them sales in comparison to the iPod touch.  Still, you get a bigger display than the iPod, larger than most smartphones in fact, and the functionality is packed in too: 720p video recording and playback (with a camera on the back), an HDMI output, up to 16GB of storage (with a microSD slot) and the same processor as in the bigger Archos 70 and 101.  That keeps things moving swiftly, and it’s actually a decent browsing experience (and will be improved with Froyo and its Flash Player 10.1 support).

Video demo after the cut

Both use capacitive touchscreens – 800 x 480 resolution on the Archos 70, 1024 x 600 on the Archos 101 – with multitouch (that proved more than a little glitchy in the photo viewer app) and have HDMI outputs for squirting 720p video out to your HDTV.  As you’d expect from Archos, there’s plenty of codec support too, including AVI, MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF and 3GP.

Archos 101 and 7 Internet Tablets hands-on:

The Archos 101 is an interesting beast; at 12mm thick, it’s very flat and, at 480 grams, surprising light, though the French company’s choice of plastics mean it doesn’t feel cheap.  It also doesn’t flex as you hold it, and there’s a two-position kickstand on the back: first, it props it up for video viewing; second, it lowers the angle for more comfortable on-screen typing.  Archos demonstrated a number of games on the slate, and the CPU could certainly keep up, using the accelerometer to navigate in racing titles.

As for the Archos 70, that’s a more pocketable model, measuring in at 201 x 114 x 10/14 mm (the 250GB hard-drive unit is thicker than the 8GB flash version); that makes it longer but narrower than the Galaxy Tab, with the Samsung slate slotting in-between in terms of thickness.  The touchscreen felt more responsive than that of the Archos 101, though things like webpage rendering and pinch-zooming weren’t as slick as on the Samsung.  The Archos 70 lacks the two-stage kickstand, too, only having a single arm for video viewing.  Unfortunately, there’s no rear camera on either model, only the VGA webcam.

Unfortunately, Archos has decided to abandon the multimedia docks of previous models, and there’s no DVR dock option for either.  That, on early internet tablets, allowed for direct audio and video recording straight to the slate’s internal storage, but from now on you’ll have to sideload content.

Given the pre-production hardware and non-Froyo software, we won’t draw too many conclusions about the Archos 101 or the Archos 70, but we have to say the price tags for each slate are encouraging.  The French company expects the Archos 101 to retail for $299.99 when it lands midway through next month, while the Archos 70 will be $274.99.  That certainly keeps them competitive against the other Android tablets we’ve seen at IFA 2010 this week.

The Archos 28 is the bottom of the bunch, featuring a 2.8-inch resistive touchscreen, with a resolution of 320×240. It has 4GB of internal storage out of the box, and we’re thinking that this is meant more to be a PMP, and not a tablet per se, as it has the size and feature set to prove a more confident combatant in this market. It does feature integrated WiFi, and it has a music application that was created by Arhchos, so it shouldn’t be as boring as the standard Android version. It doesn’t have any access to the Android Market, but Archos has you covered with the AppsLib, which will give you access to applications. There’s an accelerometer, and an 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor under the hood. This little guy will be available at the end of September for about $99.99.

Next up, the Archos 32. As the title suggests, of which you probably caught on already, this guy has a 3.2-inch touchscreen display. There’s 8GB of internal memory tucked away inside, and there’s even a camera planted on the back of the device, which has the ability to record video at 720p. There’s also a composite port at the bottom, which means you’ll be able to hook up a TV. This version will be available in mid-September, and it will cost you $149.99.

It’s when we get to the Archos 43 that things get interesting. Featuring a 4.3-inch (resistive) touchscreen, there’s an accelerometer inside, as well as a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, making sure that you keep ticking along at a nice pace. The device is ony .35-inches thick, so it should be slim enough to hide in your pocket without much complaint. When the Archos 43 ships, which will be in mid-October, it will feature Android 2.2, and be able to record 720p video with the camera on the back. It will cost you $199 when it does hit store shelves.

The Archos 70 features a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen display, and it will ship with Android 2.2 in mid-October. It has a smaller form factor than the previously released Archos Home Tablet 7, which should mean that it attracts plenty of eyes. There’s going to be some pre-loaded video chat applications on the device as well, as there’s a front-facing VGA camera. There isn’t, however, a camera on the back. There’s a USB port, as well as a mini-HDMI port. The Archos 70 will run you $274.99.

The Archos 101 is when we really get into the tablet market. It features a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display, and has a frame that’s only .5-inches thick. There’s a 1GHz processor under the hood, and it also has the ability to play a 720p HD video without a problem. There’s a front-facing VGA camera, and USB and HDMI ports. It is due out in mid-October, too, and it will cost you $300 to get your hands on it.

[thanks, Gohn]

Press Release

ARCHOS Introduces Five New Android Tablets Starting Below $100

Launching Five New Android Tablets With Two Revolutionary Products, the ARCHOS 28 Internet Tablet, First Android MP3/MP4 Player Promoted Below $100 and the ARCHOS 101 Offering the Largest Screen on the Android Market, ARCHOS Now Offers New Ways to Tablet Your Way

DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – August 31, 2010) – ARCHOS, an award-winning technology innovator and leader in the portable media player market, today announces five new Android-based tablets.

From the ultra affordable and ultra portable ARCHOS 28 and 32 Internet tablets, to the multi-media marvel ARCHOS 43 Internet tablet, and the wide screen ARCHOS 70 and 101 internet tablets, ARCHOS’ new range offers a combination of super-fast web-browsing, games, eBooks, social networking and other apps alongside HD video and music in a very slim-line design.

The ARCHOS 28 Internet tablet and the ARCHOS 101 Internet tablet, the flagship products of the range, are bringing innovation to the Android world.

The ARCHOS 101 Internet tablet offers a unique design including the latest technology. This tablet has the advantage of a connected Android device that adds very fast web browsing and HD multimedia experience. The 10.1” high-resolution screen is nestled in a very slim and light form factor tablet, enabled through a patented construction process.

The ARCHOS 28 Internet tablet is the first Android player below $100. By introducing a connected device at such a low price, ARCHOS revolutionizes the portable music player segment.

ARCHOS has developed four unique Android applications for video, photo and music with the support of 3D cover animations to allow users to keep a digital experience as simple as it should be.

Three Android tablets from 4.3” to 10.1” screen size

A unique design

A patented construction process, which uses an over-moulded PVD stainless steel structure, has enabled ARCHOS to redefine the tablet form, with devices that are smaller, thinner and lighter, making the tablet even more portable. The ARCHOS 101 Internet tablet is just 0.47″ thick and weighs only 15.87 ounces, yet offers a crisp, high-definition 10.1″ capacitive multi-touch screen.

With the adjustable kickstand, users will always have the best position to tap out emails, view a movie or enjoy the photo frame application. Using the device is designed to be both easy and intuitive.

A PC-like super-fast web browsing experience

Featuring a powerful 1 GHz processor, high-speed WiFi-n technology and sleek high-resolution screen, the new Android-based tablets offer a fast and enjoyable PC-like web browsing experience. Users can access the entire internet thanks to Android’s support for Adobe Flash™ 10.1 player.

A built-in webcam on the ARCHOS 70 and 101 Internet tablet means users can make video calls to family and friends.

In addition, a new feature in the Android settings menu means that the devices can also be tethered to a 3G phone via Bluetooth or USB for Internet connectivity when on the move.

Hi-definition multimedia at your fingertips

With ARCHOS’ heritage in high-quality portable multimedia players, the Internet tablets offer consumers a full multimedia experience, with 720p HD video playback as standard, whether from a user’s movie collection or streamed from YouTube. Unique Android multimedia applications designed by ARCHOS will allow the end user to enjoy all his multimedia content.

The HDMI TV output offers the best Android, multimedia and games experience on your TV. The tablet can be used as a game pad for your TV thanks to the built-in accelerometer and 3D open GL technology so users can enjoy a unique gaming experience.

The ARCHOS 43 internet tablet also sports a 2 megapixel HD camcorder to capture video and photos than end user can share on the web or on the HD TV screen.

The first connected MP3/MP4 players below $100

The smaller ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets bring the Android revolution to MP3 and MP4 players, adding a new dimension to this market. Alongside music and video playback, the low-cost, pocket-sized devices starting from $99.99 now offer email, web browsing, music and video streaming, 3D gaming, eBooks, social networking and other entertainment, productivity and information-based apps.

The Best HD multimedia experience

The ARCHOS 28 and 32 internet tablets feature music, video and photo applications, developed by ARCHOS, enriching 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. These unique Android applications allow users to amplify their digital experience.

The devices are also compatible across the major music and video formats, so there’s no need for conversion or the inconvenience of dedicated software support. A simple drag and drop from your computer is all that’s required.

The A32 internet tablet also includes a camcorder for video and photos to capture the greatest memories. Users can upload videos and pictures to the web or share via social networks.

Pocket Computer

With WiFi connection, users can surf the Web at the speed of a computer thanks to the speedy processor. The Internet browsing is also faster than ever; users can adjust the page size of an article with a simple double-tapping or rotating the ARCHOS and the screen will flip into place to display the entire page’s width. There’s also an email application so you can stay in touch with all of your friends.

Applications to make a player what users want it to be

The AppsLib store, with free and paid apps, will make sure you access and directly download custom sized Apps to fit your lifestyle. Games, books, music, social media, recipes, news and sports are now a click away.

ARCHOS tablets can become an eBook reader, with literature classics, the latest magazines or favorite comics available to download and read wherever you go.

A wide range of games, using 3D graphic acceleration, are also available. From the classic Sudoku to the fast-paced racing games, user will immerse themselves in fun games enjoying the comfort of sharp and large screens or using the device as a steering wheel.

Price and availability

ARCHOS 28 internet tablet
Available in September at 4GB, with a recommended retail price of $99.99.

ARCHOS 32 internet tablet
Available in September at 8GB, with a recommended retail price of $149.99.

ARCHOS 43 internet tablet
Available this fall at 8GB with a recommended retail price of $199.99.

ARCHOS 70 internet tablet
Available this fall with a recommended retail price of $274.99 (8GB) and $349.99 (250GB).

ARCHOS 101 internet tablet
Available this fall with a recommended retail price of $299.99 (8GB) and $349.99 (16GB).

About ARCHOS

ARCHOS released the first pocket-sized HD-based MP3 player with the Jukebox 6000 in 2000 and since that time has revolutionised consumer electronics devices. The company invented the portable media player in 2003 and was the first to bring television recording, wireless and touch screens to Portable Media Players. ARCHOS have also introduced the Internet Media Tablet range — the 5, 5g and 7 — offering users instant, uncompromising access to the internet, media content and TV. Established in 1988, ARCHOS has offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. ARCHOS is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment B, ISIN Code FR0000182479. www.archos.com.

There’s also broad audio codec support, with the new PMP content with MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, OGG, and FLAC formats for audio (together with optional AC3 5.1 support) and MPEG-4 HD, MPEG-4, H.264 HD, WMV9/ACP, and MJPG codecs with various extensions: AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, and WMV.  Under the hood is an 800MHz Cortex A8 processor with DSP, and 3D OpenGL graphics acceleration.

The Archos 32 is currently listed at $147 though there’s no indication of when Amazon expect the PMP/MID to begin shipping.  We’re still more than a little disappointed by the mere WQVGA resolution – cellphones with 3.2-inch screens have managed 480 x 320 – together with the absence of the full Android Market.

[Thanks gohn!]

Curiously, there’s no mention of what looks to be a camera lens on the back of the unit in the user manual itself, though given that manual also shows images of a different Archos PMP it’s possible the company are still yet to finalize its content.  The teardown photos from the FCC look to show a camera unit on the ‘board inside, certainly.

According to last week’s leak, the Archos 32 will be priced at around $150 and support MPEG-4 HD, H.264 and WMV (among others) at up to 720p HD resolution.  The manual also tips a number of docks and car-mounts.

[via Engadget]

The information was leaked by JR.com and showed that the new device will be the Archos 32 and will have 8GB of storage and sell for about $150 making it one of the cheaper tablets out there. The screen is a small 3.2-inch 400 x 240 resolution unit.

The CPU inside the little device is an ARM Cortex A8 and the tablet will support a ton of video and audio formats including MPEG-4 HD, H.264, WMV, and lots more. That 720p video is supported at 24fps and 12Mbps in MPEG-4 HD format. The tablet also packs in WiFi, Bluetooth EDR, and composite video output.

Via Netbooks Review

There’s also WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, along with 10/100 ethernet and an integrated modem.  No HDMI output, sadly, only VGA, while other ports include three USB 2.0, an MMC/SD/SDHC memory card reader, and audio in/out.  The whole thing tips the scales at 1.6kg with its 6-cell battery.

Frankly we’re not all that impressed by the specifications, and we wish Archos – in keeping with their multimedia focus – had stumped up the extra cash for a 1080p-capable GPU, like NVIDIA’s Ion or Broadcom’s Crystal HD.  Still, if you’re desperate to keep it French, you know where to go.

[via Archos Lounge]

The Archos 5 has now gained OpenGL capability and some sweet new gaming chops that Mobile gamers will appreciate. The video below shows the Archos 5 playing some old school 80′s style games along with a newer music game smoothly.

In case you are wondering, this feature has been enabled by Archos, not a group of modders looking to add a bit of functionality themselves. The news was revealed at Computex this week.

[dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xczyrw_jeux-3d-sur-l-archos-5-internet-tab_tech/[/dailymotion]

Video demos after the cut

Performance is actually pretty impressive, certainly on the Internet Tablet, which loads into Maemo quickly and then whips through the menus.  WiFi seems to be the main stumbling point right now, though, which could put a dampener on your internet browsing.

From a usability standpoint, you’re probably better off sticking with the native OS on the two MIDs.  Still, if you’re keen nonetheless, instructions on how to install it yourself, together with the images for download, are available here.

Archos 5 Internet Tablet running Maemo:

Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet running Maemo:

[via ArchosFans]

As the name suggests, Archos aren’t expecting owners to drop the Archos 7 Home Tablet into their bags and tote it around the local Starbucks.  Instead it’s intended as a domestic tablet, with the ability to cope with up to 720p HD video files (though it only has an 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen), WiFi and internet access.

Archos reckon the Archos 7 HT will last for up to seven hours of video playback or 44hrs of audio from a single charge, and while you can’t access the Android Market via the tablet you can at least browse their (much reduced) AppsLib software store.  It’s available for preorder now.

[via Android Community]

Press Release:

ARCHOS Brings the First Large Screen Android-Based Tablet Under $200

ARCHOS Introduces the First Android Home Tablet With a 7 Inch Touch Screen, Web Browser, High Definition Video and Android Applications, Taking Home Portability to a Whole New Level

DENVER, CO–(Marketwire – May 6, 2010) – ARCHOS, a top innovator in the portable media market, announced today the new ARCHOS 7 home tablet that combines the best of web browsing, multimedia, live information, social networking and Apps, and testifies to ARCHOS’ strategy of offering innovative electronic products with extremely competitive pricing.

The ARCHOS 7 home tablet sees the debut of the first large-screen Android-based tablet. Bridging the gap between the Smartphone and the desktop PC, the ARCHOS 7 provides always-on access to the web, email, photo, video and a dedicated library of Android Apps enabling users to customise the device to their lifestyle.

The stylish ARCHOS 7 home tablet sports a high resolution 7 inch touch screen (800×480) and a super slim form factor at just .47 of an inch thick. Weighing in at 0.8lb, it is extremely portable and can be used in any room of the home. With built-in Wi-Fi, users can connect to a home network while on the move throughout the house. The USB connection makes transferring files from a PC, digital camera or other digital devices very simple. The ARCHOS 7 is also a low-power consumption device providing seven hours of video playback or 44 hours of music on a single charge.

“The ARCHOS 7 is great for the whole family. Anyone can use the ARCHOS 7 to stay up to date on email, news and weather, catch up on TV shows, get the recipe of the day or update a social media profile,” said Henri Crohas, ARCHOS Chief Executive Officer. “This tablet is just perfect for times when a Smartphone is not enough and a computer just too much.”

Multimedia showcase

With a large 7″ high resolution touch screen (800×480), the ARCHOS 7 home tablet has been specifically developed with multimedia in mind. The home tablet provides the best HD movie viewing experience (at 720p) in the kitchen, bedroom, living room or garden. Its brilliant screen makes it a high-quality photo display. The ARCHOS 7 can easily replace your radio with its on-board MP3 player and access to the free music streaming service, Deezer.

Apps to meet all lifestyles

The ARCHOS 7 home tablet comes with a selection of pre-installed Apps ready for use including the popular eBuddy instant messaging app, Aldiko for downloading and reading thousands of books, DailyPaper for viewing your favorite newspaper and much more.

Users also have the option to customize their home tablet by downloading their favorite App. AppsLib offers unlimited access to free and paid Apps developed specifically for the large 7-inch touch screen display of the ARCHOS 7. With a range of apps available to fit any lifestyle, the ARCHOS 7 can easily become an ebook reader, give access to cooking recipes, news, weather and games, and provide recommendations on theatres or restaurants.

Communication and connectivity

With Wi-Fi on board, the ARCHOS 7 home tablet easily connects to a home network and gives you constant access to the Internet. Its high-resolution, 7-inch touch screen, allows consumers to surf the Web in full width, send email, tweets or update Facebook pages as if they were surfing on their home PC. Download your personal applications from Appslib and the ARCHOS 7 home tablet will become the perfect tablet for the entire family.

Pricing and Availability

The ARCHOS 7 home tablet will be available in June at $199.99 SRP through selected retailers. Exclusive pre-orders are available at Amazon.com, with product shipping mid May. Order information and customer support details are available from our website: www.archos.com.

As we heard before, Archos are looking to the ARM Cortex processor range with clock speeds between 800MHz and 1GHz, together with 3G OpenGL support.  There’ll also be multitouch support, something lacking from the current generation of Internet Tablet hardware.

We’re presuming that the new range will run Android with Archos’ UI modifications – and their AppLibs replacement to the Android Market – in place, though there’s no confirmation with it so far.  Hopefully we’ll hear more at Computex in June 2010.

[via ArchosLounge]

The Archos 7 HT has a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, 600MHz ARM9 processor and integrated WiFi b/g, together with stereo speakers and a battery that will last up to 7hrs.  Unfortunately, the manual confirms that you won’t get full Android Market access, at least not without a hack or two; instead there’s Archos’ own AppsLib for downloading titles suited to the tablet’s screen and connectivity capabilities.

While we had mixed feelings about the Archos 7 Home Tablet at launch, subsequent previews suggested that – within the boundaries of what it sets out to do – it’s actually a reasonably impressive device.  What remains to be seen is how much it might launch for in the US; in Europe it kicks off at €149 ($199) for a 2GB model, with an 8GB version coming in at €179 ($239).

[via ArchosLounge]

Meanwhile Amazon Germany are suggesting only that the Home Tablet will arrive “soon”.  The Archos 7 HT has a 7-inch resistive touchscreen, a battery good for up to 7hrs of video playback or 44hrs of audio playback, and runs the Android OS underneath Archos’ own UI.  Despite a relatively underpowered processor initial feedback seems promising, with decent browsing speeds, 720p HD media playback (assuming your files aren’t at too high a bitrate) and good stereo speakers.

[via Carrypad]

Still, we do know that the Archos 9 still has an 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen, roughly five hour battery life and both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a 1.3-megapixel webcam.  OS is Windows  7 Starter Edition, and the whole thing measures just 0.67-inches thick.  In our own hands-on with the first-gen Archos 9, we found it was surprisingly heavy for continued handheld use, though build-quality was high.

[Thanks Si!]

Other than that details on the A13PS are in short supply.  We’re guessing at a 13.3-inch display given the name, and Archos are pushing the “slim” and “classy” tags so the Windows 7 Home Premium notebook is obviously angling to be your next ultraportable.

Meanwhile we also have a firmer date for the CPU refresh in the Archos 9 PC Tablet.  As we heard earlier this month, Archos plan to replace the current processor with a 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z515 processor, and we now know that will actually take place sometime this month.  Still no timescale for the capacitive touchscreen and 3G, however.

[via Netbook Choice]