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
After announcing the Motorola CLIQ with MOTOBLUR yesterday, we grabbed some hands-on time with the new Android smartphone and persuaded one of the company’s demo team to give us a ten minute walkthrough of its capabilities. There’s plenty to like about this distinctive new addition to the Android stable; we didn’t have as much time to play as we’d have liked, but our early impression is that the keyboard is well made, sturdy and tactile, and the capacitive display responsive and accurate.
Video hands-on after the cut
Let’s be clear – if you don’t like shiny then you probably won’t be too keen on Apple’s special edition iPod shuffle. Packing the same 4GB capacity of the standard top-spec shuffle, but with a newly polished stainless steel casing, the new PMP is limited to sales through Apple Stores.
Apple’s iPod event has only just ended, but we’ve already had a chance to grapple with what was probably the highlight of the day: the new iPod nano 5G. Now packing a 2.2-inch LCD display and a video camera on the back – complete with microphone and speaker – the nano is now set to take on Flip’s camcorder. Don’t expect it to necessarily replace your digital camera, though; the nano 5G only shoots video, not still photos.
Video hands-on after the cut
Rumors of Palm releasing a candybar phone with front-facing QWERTY keyboard have been around since the launch of the Palm Pre. Well, as of tonight the Pixi is no longer a rumor. Similar to the Palm Pre, Pixi is powered by WebOS and has a multi-touch capacitive display, 8GB of internal user storage memory, the same removable 1150 mAh battery and proximity sensor, among other things. However it squeezes all of that into an incredibly compact casing: just 111 x 55 x 10.85 mm, thinner than an iPhone 3GS.
After our initial hands-on with the N900 – the video and gallery of which you can see here – we spent some more time playing with the Maemo 5 smartphone at Nokia World this week. Our initial enthusiasm has been tempered a little by some of the real-world compromises that blending a smartphone and an Internet Tablet demand, though we’re still looking forward to a full review unit; check out our hands-on impressions after the cut.
Video demo after the cut
We made no bones about our disappointment with the Nokia N97 back when we reviewed it in late June, so we were wary of the N97 mini. Having played with it at Nokia World this week, it’s clear that many of the issues we had with the larger model have been addressed; still, there are some glaring frustrations that leave us more enchanted by the N900 than this new, compact device. Check out our first-impressions and a hands-on gallery and video after the cut.
Video hands-on after the cut
It’s not all high-end touchscreen here at Nokia World; the company has also delivered an entry-level music phone, the Nokia X3. With an MRSP of €115 pre-subsidies, the X3 has a slide-out numeric keypad and dedicated hardware media controls flanking the screen.
Video hands-on after the cut
While the Booklet 3G is certainly a neat addition to the netbook segment, there’s something undeniably more appealing about the Nokia N900. We’ve seen all the specifications and now know the unsubsidized price, so it was about time for some hands-on experience with Nokia’s latest flagship.
Hands-on gallery, video and first-impressions after the cut
Nokia may have only just officially announced the full details of their Booklet 3G netbook, but SlashGear had the opportunity to go hands-on with the ultraportable at a pre-Nokia-World event. In the metal, the Booklet 3G certainly deserves its premium positioning: the metal chassis feels as slick as a MacBook Pro, while there are also hints of Apple’s notebook range in the glossy glass display.
Full hands-on gallery after the cut – Plus full hardware specifications
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