I didn’t think I’d be doing another one of these so soon!

Apparently while I was busy yesterday, Archos kicked out yet another firmware update: 1.4.09. Nothing having to do with that new YouTube issue, though.

Camangi published a new image of its WebStation. Look:

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A custom skin over the Android OS. Notice that eBook is in the bottom dock as a primary function.

I mentioned in yesterday’s post that Something’s Happening with Android. Here’s more evidence:

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Even though the iPhone has a huge head start, we all have to remember that Apple is just one company. Google — so far — hasn’t brought down the hammer on standardizing the UI experience so its hardware partners are free to crank out what looks like impressive devices (at least on paper). One of these is the new OPhone from LG:

That’s a WVGA 800×480 screen! Google Translate won’t work on the Korean press release but Android Guys has a post. Seeing a phone like that makes me wonder how long Apple will stick with 320×480 for the iPhone.

Every day on Twitter a search for Android reveals people broadcasting live video via their Android phones.

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Although these haven’t yet turned out to be much more than fun tests, having that capability is impressive. As far as I know, iPhone owners can only view UStream, not create it.

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Here’s another indictment against Apple driving people to Android: Lengthy Review of Apple iPhone, Slow Pay, Stirs Up iPhone Developer Rebellion.

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I don’t mean to turn this post into an Apple vs. Android contest, but this is what I’m seeing happening out there in the real world. So are others: How Unofficial Android App Stores Will Kill Apple’s iTunes App Store.

iPhone has a huge head start, but everyone needs to remember there are some people who will never buy an iPhone, for whatever reasons:

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That madman Charbax of ArchosFans has posted a new video demonstrating the Full Google Experience hacked into the Archos 5 Internet Tablet:

What’s interesting is that in the video notes he says Android 2.0 should be available for the Archos sometime in December! Go read the entire post at his site.

Android Manager for Windows looks very interesting:

More and more Android phone managers are popping up by developers, but there is still no word about any official Android manager from Google that will be compatible with all Android phones.

Android Manager is a an application for managing devices with Android OS. It will be complete solution for Android management with user friendly interface.

There’s also one for the Droid.

Here is something to really think about: What are Google’s real motivations behind Chrome OS?. I need to do a separate post some time about Chrome OS and Android “converging.” But for now, look at this:

Google needs to ensure that the web and everything people use to access the web stays as open as possible. If closed ecosystems dominated by unfriendly companies, such as Apple (and its iPhone), and Microsoft (with Windows desktop and mobile) gain power, Google won’t have unfettered access to the end-user. To do challenge them, Google needs to reduce switching costs and make users indifferent about which computing devices they use by commodifying them. The Chrome OS plan is to entice users to move as much data as possible into the “cloud”, making the data and apps transparently follow the user onto whatever device he or she happens to be using.

Hmmmmm.

Finally, here are some links for future reference for those considering the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, the Camangi WebStation, upcoming Dell Streak — or one from the flood of Android mini-tablets that will be unveiled at CES 2010 next month:

Is Android copy protection a blessing or curse?

Slide Me — another Android marketplace

Google Labs Android apps

Pixelpipe for Android

25 Awesome Google Android Websites You Should Follow

101 Best Android Apps

Previously here:

Android OS/Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes For Friday November 27, 2009
Android OS/Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes For Monday November 2, 2009

Earlier this month NEC showed off three models of a possible Android device, one of which is a take-along mini tablet.

I’m swiping one photo from the Akihibara News report because this is what some touch-enabled desktop computers will — foolishly — look like:

The wedge!

Go to the report to see photos of the grab-and-go mini-tablet mockup.

After the break, I have two videos.

What’s also interesting is that Akihibara News published a very frank assessment of the Smart Q5 mini-tablet. It contains this doozy:

[T]he SmartQ5 is as fast as a dead snail… Understand that I never saw, even in the Windows Mobile World, a device THAT slow… Well actually I saw slower devices but this was something like 3 to 4 years ago!

This is something Chippy of UMPC Portal warned me about being a possibility for the Camangi WebStation too. It seems, right now, only phone makers and Archos are really putting effort into optimizing Android. It takes some engineering effort to get a smooth experience for buyers:

I have the feeling that the so called engineers who worked on the SmartQ5 just made sure that Android ran on it and point… No OS optimization whatsoever!

That is Not Good.

It’s been a while since I did one of these.

Archos kicked out another firmware update yesterday. Apparently they are really serious about this product.

However, with changes comes breakage — and this one is awful.

From jkkmobile:

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When YouTube recently stopped working with devices that output its API to a TV set, Chippy of UMPC Portal wondered if this would also affect the Archos 5 Internet Tablet — which can output to a TV screen. Let’s hope this is just a temporary glitch and not permanent.

Which brings up my pet gripes about Android: Why can’t do it MPEG video out of the box? Why hasn’t vlc or CorePlayer been ported to Android? Why must people go through contortions and uncertainty — or added expense — to play widespread video file formats?

I’m not about to convert all my DiVX/XViD MPEG videos to MP4. Then I’d wind up with two copies of everything. I don’t need that time sink or organizational headache — nor does the everyday user!

Let me rub this in the face of Android fans and Google too: I have TCPMP (the original free version of CorePlayer) on my LifeDrive. It can play DiVX/XViD MPEG video. For free. Free! Where is this capability for Android?

One other thing about Archos: Are they planning to come out with an Archos 7 Internet Tablet? Is there even any possibility of grafting Android onto the existing Archos 7 Internet Media Tablet? Spec-wise, it seems superior to the Camangi WebStation. And I’ve seen the Archos 7 IMT with a whopping 320GB(!) hard drive on sale at J&R for only US$319.99 at the time of this post.

There’s Something Happening with Android.

Look at this tweet from today:

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And this tweet:

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Hadrien of Feedbooks also chimed in with this:

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Are we beginning to see the 1980s Mac OS versus Windows battle play out again, this time with iPhone OS versus Android? Is a tipping point going to be reached at some point where people will begin to ask of Android apps, “Is there an iPhone version of that?” (At trade shows in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that was my question to many developers showing off nifty software: Is there a Mac version of that?)

The iPhone OS has already lost a distasteful but perhaps inevitable — if possibly even necessary — battle. The battle for pr0n. Here comes MiKandi.

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This also ties in with my earlier video gripe. Most pr0n is in MPEG and WMV formats. Very little is in MP4. To suck up as much money as possible, these providers will do the time sink headache of converting their videos.

Swinging back to the overall topic, here’s Chippy again over at UMPC Portal with: The problem with recent no-name MIDs out of Asia. He writes with authority, having risked funds to buy the Smart Q7 — which dropped dead on him after only a few months!

File this one under D for DUH!: Android And Palm Need Their Own iPod Touch, Fast — in which the Archos 5 Internet Tablet is brought up in the Comments and is then strafed to death.

Palm might wish it had gone the mini-tablet route:

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One more advantage of Android is this:

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Don’t diss the QR Code! Here’s an incredible example of them at work:

Finally, this: Ultimate List of FREE Android Apps – Part 1

Previously here:

Android OS/Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes For Monday November 2, 2009

As everyone is probably aware, Apple are reported to be producing a tablet personal computer device that will ‘revolutionise’ the way we surf, get digital content etc.

A mock-up of the apple tablet, the best I’ve seen so far. If this is yours, gimme a shout so I can give you credit .

As a self diagnosed techno-addict, I can say that I’m terribly excited about seeing and using this fabled device.

However, the rumours and suggestions about the currently non-existant device have started off yet another war with technology firms to get into this as-of-yet unfilled niche in the market.

Now there are new products coming from everywhere to find a place in our hearts and by our sides as the ‘one product to rule our life’, if you would.

We have Archos and Microsoft already in the game for definite, and theres also the Crunch Pad, which has been delayed time and time again for god knows how long. And I’m willing to bet all of the computer manufacturers, like Dell and Hewlett-Packard, are all on the drawing boards to get a slimline tablet out to stores before the daddy hits town.

I’m just hoping that these devices aren’t more unrefined, totally unusable crap imitations and wannabes that we tend to find when a hyped, unannounced product finally hits retail. Market saturation kills everything, even the Holy Grail would have a cheap imitation if it was a consumer electronic.

The tablets of old leave a lot to be desired. Low screen quality, unresponsive things that are basically laptops with an attempt chucked in there. They are hard to use, never do what you want them to, and you have to use a stylus. I think this is why they never took off. The technology wasn’t smooth enough for everyday use. Now is the time for tablet power to be completely realised. But what do we want? I’m pretty sure I speak for everyone when I say that its gotta tick the boxes:

• Quality screen (ideally HD, for when we want to watch and see things in clarity)
• Everlasting battery life (for the people on the go, or those who hate wires)
• Purdyful (because no one wants to carry around a big fat chunk of dark plastic giving a black and white GUI)
• Capacitive, multi-touch interface that makes use feel effortless
• Bombproof firmware (so we don’t see any glitches in our day to day use, no one likes a slow machine)
• Connectivity coming out of its ass (just in case )

I don’t really care who makes it to be honest. I’ll admit, I’m a fan of Apple, but if theres something better than what they come out with, i’ll get it. Dammit, i just want a sexy tablet!

P.S. – If ya wanna know more, why don’t ya just toddle along and Google it. And where have you been?!?!?!

En avant pour un ptit’ faiiil  !

Et oui, je fait du sport (Si si, je vous assure) avec un iPod Nano Chromatique (4G), c’est classe, c’est à la mode, et ça permet d’écouter de la musique (Enfin, je crois…). Sauf que, quand on rentre à la maison, on pense pas forcément à sortir notre petit bijou (140€ tout de même) de sa po-poche, et le pantalon de jogging fini au sale, et puis vous l’aurez deviné, à la machine à laver.

Et c’est que lorsque je rentre du lycée qu’après un petit coup de téléphone de môman que le fail commence:  j’apprends que mon iPod a prit un bain disons…forcé, que je me dis: “Merde, je l’ai pas sorti de ma poche… (–,)” … Alors j’essaye de l’allumer…En vain. En bon Geek, je me dit “Laissons le sécher, on verra après… (-.-)”… j’ai tout de suite pensé à son successeur (Quoi “Je suis pas gentil” ?!) … Mais la: “MIRACLE”, L’iPod remarche ! (Preuve de la bonne qualité de ces petits machin)… Mais, comme y’a toujours un “Mais”, le rétro-éclairage est mort… Et donc, on voit plus ce qui est affiche à l’écran, sauf à la lumière vive… Bref, autant dire que ça sert a rien de le garder (C’est pas un Shuffle non plus XD)et donc je vais en profiter pour changer de baladeur ! Mon choix ce portera donc sur L’Archos 5 (Je ferais une petite news pour vous en parler).

En attendant, j’ai refilé mon iPod à mon petit frère, pour qu’il le mette sur sa station réveille…Et il faut que j’économise l’équivalent d’environ 220€ pour mon future baladeur…Alors que j’ai même pas de quoi payé un resto’ à ma copine (VDM).

In a prior post, I teased all of you with this:

What Vook’s running into here is precisely why the iTablet is going to be a monstrous hit — even beyond the monstrous hit of the iPhone. I won’t explain that statement right now. I’m saving that for a future post.

The post I did earlier today reminded me I should do this follow-up.

Look at this horror show:

Those are the minimum system requirements needed to ensure a smooth experience in reading a digital book — a Vook.

That complexity is what will ensure the unprecedented success of the iTablet.

People don’t want to deal with that crap.

They want to buy something and know that it will work.

That’s why there are over sixty million of the iPhone and iPod Touch out there.

No one has to dick around with “minimum system requirements” in order to view YouTube or to run any application.

The iPhone and the iPod Touch usurp such Microsoftian Babylon by becoming the new miniumum system requirements.

Every other platform can bleat about how Adobe will give them Flash capability next year. Won’t that be lovely? Having to deal with updating that damned plug-in. Having to worry about security holes. Having to wonder if the hardware you bought in early 2009 meets the “minimum system requirements” to use this new Flash to begin with. And then wondering if the shiny new hardware you bought in early 2010 will run the Flash update of late 2010!

It’s all a crock!

No one wants to deal with that except people who like to deal with that.

Over sixty million people have already voted a big fat NO! to all that.

Right now, Archos is dealing with a technical problem that could sink their new Internet Tablet. An issue the general buying public should have never encountered: YouTube no longer working.

Next year, everyone will begin to wake up to the fact the Kindle eBooks they thought they owned can’t work on that new Barnes & Noble Nook they switched to. Will they be happy?

The Apple iTablet will offer people a peace of mind no other tablet device will offer.

People want to do things, not dick around with speedbumps and compatibilities.

And that’s why the iTablet will sell like no other device in history.

Wait til you see the lines for it.

Previously here:

Hybrid iPhone/Print Book Glimpse Of The Future
Apple Will Break Open The Digital Book Floodgates
The Coming Android Mini-Tablet Flood
The eBook Bubble: Save Your Money!
The iPod Decade And The Steve Jobs Effect
Disney + Pixar + Marvel + Apple + iTablet
How Steve Jobs Wins, Part Two
What REALLY Delayed The Apple Tablet
What One Big Change Would An Apple iTablet Bring?

So that’s it!

Yesterday I tried to help someone with that very problem. I mistakenly — as it now turns out — concluded the Archos unit he had was defective.

It never, ever entered my mind that YouTube — owned by Google, which created Android! — changed something on its end.

This is what happens right now to people who try to play YouTube videos:

I now wonder if this is a problem that other Android devices might encounter too. Any problems with the Droid, HTC Touch, HTC Hero?

And if not, what is Archos doing differently to access YouTube? And why should it break like that?

Previously here:

Android OS/Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes For Monday November 2, 2009
The Coming Android Mini-Tablet Flood
Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes
Dell Tops The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Friday October 16, 2009
Android OS Aldiko ePub Display Challenge
eBook Notes For Thursday, October 15, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Will It Be Stable Now?
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
eBook Use On The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Monday, October 5, 2009

Our response to Archoses press release over the AppsLib / AndAppStore dispute can be found at http://press.andappstore.com/20091106-AndAppStore-Archos.pdf

Continuing my ongoing infatuation with — but not yet committed to buying — the Archos 5 Internet Tablet, from time to time I will do these posts which might not have much to do with the e-reading aspects of that device. And there might also be some Android OS-related items too.

Another week, another firmware update for the Archos 5 Internet Tablet. This one seems rather weak. AppsLib is still reported by many as being frustrating to use.

Acer to underclock the 1 GHz Snapdragon

We originally thought the Acer Liquid would be a 1 GHz phone since it featured the Snapdragon platform, but we were wrong.

I think that kills my Acer Liquid lust d-e-d.

New Sony Ericsson Rachael UI video hits, still looks nothing like Android
People who wind up buying this need to know one thing: Aldiko. I also wonder if this custom UI will further threaten a fracturing of Android?

This next item is nuclear:

TubeDroid from Sirius Applications

Now you can download all your favorite YouTube videos on the go, right to your phone (or other Android device) – with one tap. Just click on a YouTube video link in the browser (or the built in YouTube search) and select Download. Presto, the video starts downloading in the background.

As far as I know, the iPhone lacks that capability. I currently use a Greasemonkey script for Firefox that automagically embeds a “Download as MP4″ link in a YouTube page. This is because this crap PC sometimes can’t play YouTube videos, so I must rip them to view locally. To have this ability on the Archos 5 IT itself would be wonderful!

And here is jkkmobile with a 23-minute first impressions video that is very interesting:

Oh that poor Archos. He is going to perform surgery on it!

Previously here:

The Coming Android Mini-Tablet Flood
Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes
Dell Tops The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Friday October 16, 2009
Android OS Aldiko ePub Display Challenge
eBook Notes For Thursday, October 15, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Will It Be Stable Now?
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
eBook Use On The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Monday, October 5, 2009

Momentan kann man sich vor der Flut an “Internet Tablets” kaum retten, aber der A5 sticht aus der Menge hervor,schaut man sich nämlich die Verpackung an, sieht man sofort dieses  nette grüne Männchen. Auf dem Archos 5 läuft das Google Betriebssystem “Android”. Archos hat dem A5 sogar ein angepasstes “Android” spendiert. Es ist deutlich “größer” als die bekannte Version für Smartphones.

Das alleine hat bei mir ein gewisses ” Haben wollen” – Syndrom ausgelöst. Ich habe mich für die Variante mit der eingebauten SSD (32GB) entschieden. Die Flashversion ist deutlich dünner, als die Festplattenversion. Der Archos 5 mit Flash ist nur einen knappen Zentimeter dick!!

Display

Mit einer Auflösung von 800×480, und einer sehr guten Farbwiedergabe macht es wirklich Spass auf dem Archos 5 Videos und Fotos anzusehen. Das Display des A5 ist dem des iPhones weit überlegen.

Touchscreen

Der A5 wird komplett per Touchscreen bedient. Dieser lässt sich wunderbar bedienen, man muss allerdings etwas mehr Kraft auf den Screen ausüben. Das heisst nicht, dass man ihn “richtig fest” drücken muss, aber einfach nur mit dem Finger über den Screen gleiten funktioniert leider nicht. Der Vorteil ist, dass man keine Funktion versehentlich auslösen kann. Die virtuelle Tastatur ist auf Grund der Screengröße angenehm groß, und lässt sich hervorragend bedienen.Wenn man den A5 auf einen Unterlage legt, ist es möglich mit 2 Fingern auf der Tastatur zu tippen.

Das Display besitzt allerdings keine Multitouch-Funktion. Das heisst, wenn man zoomen möchte kann man dieses nicht per Fingergesten erledigen. Auf dem Display sind halb-transparente Tasten eingeblendet, über diese man diverse Funktionen steuern kann.

Steuerung

Bis auf einen Kippschalter für die Lautstärke, und einen On-Button findet man auf dem A5 keine Tasten. Die Bedienung erfolgt über eine virtuelle Bedienleiste auf der Screenoberseite.

Neben der Uhrzeit, und den Benachrichtigungen befinden sich auf dieser Leiste 3 Knöpfe

Haussymbol -> Beendet Programme und führt zurück zum Screen

Pfeil -> “Einen Schritt zurück” wie bei einem Browser

Strichsymbol -> Menütaste. Egal welches Programm gerade aktiv ist. Ein Druck auf diese Taste zeigt die jeweiligen Optionen. Diese Taste ist zugleich die wichtigste um im Internet zu navigieren.

Performance

Der Archos 5 arbeitet wirklich sehr schnell. Die Internetseiten bauen sich deutlich schneller auf als bei meinem iPhone 3G, und auch die Navigation im Menü läuft sehr schnell.

Internet

Ich nutze den A4 primär als Internet Tablet, so ist dieser Punkt für mich sehr wichtig!
Wie unter “Performance” beschrieben kann man mit dem A5 sehr schnell im Internet surfen, zudem unterstützt  er die WiFi Standards  B/G/N. Gerade N-Draft ist bei mobilen Geräten mehr als selten.

In 95% der Fälle bauen sich die Internetseiten vollständig auf dem Screen auf, sehr sehr selten muss man von links nach rechts scrollen. Einige Seiten erkennen den A5 auch direkt als mobiles Gerät, und leiten einen auf die eine Mobilseite um (zB Yahoo).

Wie auch beim iPhone kann man leider auf den Webseiten keine Flashvideos ansehen. Allerdings kann man auf der mobilen Seite von YouTube ohne Probleme Videos ansehen (Fullscreen).

Navigation im Internet

Der Browser wird komplett per Menütaste gesteuert, auch die Eingabe einer neuen URL erfolgt im Browsermenü, und nicht direkt im Browserfenster.

Das System ist zuerst etwas ungewohnt, und erscheint umständlich. Man gewöhnt sich aber sehr schnell daran. Die fehlenden Bedienelemente im Browserfenster verschaffen aber der Internetseite mehr Platz.

Android / Apps

Android ist ein sehr interessantes BS. Es ist selbsterklärend, und auch Neulinge finden sich sehr schnell zurecht.

Toll sind vo allem die Programme die man aus dem Store runterladen kann. Leider sind bisher nicht alle auf dem Archos 5 nutzbar, da sie nicht mit dem großen Screen zurecht kommen, aber das soll sich bald ändern ( hoffen wir mal).

Neben dem Android Store gibt es noch den “Appslib”-Store. Dieser wird von Archos bereit gestellt. Leider ist der Store momentan nahezu unbrauchbar. Die Navigation ist sehr sehr langsam, die Ladezeiten sind unerträglich, und Updates werden zur Wutprobe. Ausserdem stützt das Gerät sehr oft ab, wenn man “Appslib” benutzt.

Audio/ Video

Gerade Videos sind echt genial auf dem A5, ausserdem werden nahezu alle Videoformate abgespielt. Das Gerät kann weiterhin mit 720p Daten umgehen. Die Klangqualität der eingebauten Lautsprecher ist gut – deutlich besser als beim iPhone.

Die Wiedergabequalität von Audiodateien ist ungefähr so wie bei einem iPod.

Akku/ Wärmeentwicklung

Ich nutze den A5 ausschließlich zum surfen im Internet, und Emails abrufen. Hier reicht der Akku etwas mehr als 5 Stunden.  Im Gegensatz zum iPhone wird der Archos 5 hierbei nicht unangenehm warm.

iPhone <-> Archos 5

Ich habe mich zuerst gefragt, ob es sich lohnt den A5 zu kaufen. Schließlich habe ich noch ein iPhone, aber meine anfänglichen Zweifel waren unbegründet. Der A5 ist sowas wie ein großes iPhone, und sobald ein Wlan in der Nähe ist, hat das iPhone schlechte Karten. Der Screen des Archos 5 ist deutlich angenehmer zu lesen, schon weil er größer ist. Auch YouTube Videos machen auf dem A5 deutlich mehr fun.

Das iPhone liegt ganz klar vorne, wenn mal kein Wlannetz zur Verfügung steht, und natürlich arbeitet es perfekt mit dem Mac zusammen.

Beide Geräte ergänzen sich wunderbar!!

Fazit

Der Archos 5 Android ist ein sehr interessantes Gerät. Android läuft sehr stabil, und ohne Abstütze, ausserdem hat man durch die Vielzahl der Apps eine nahezu unbegrenzte Möglichkeit den A5 zu nutzen. Klar, bisher kommt der Android Store bei weitem nicht an Apple App-Store heran, aber das Angebot ist jetzt schon ausreichend.

Zudem bin ich von der Benutzerfreundlichkeit von Android überrascht. Der Einstieg sollte auch unbedarften Usern leicht von der Hand gehen. Das System erklärt sich von alleine. Zudem kann man das System komplett individualisieren. Egal ob Hintergrundbilder, oder Menüfarben – man kann alles nach seinen Wünschen gestalten. Programmicons lassen sich per Fingertipp verschieben, und löschen.

Der A5 begleitet mich seit ein paar Tagen nahezu überall hin. In der Uni dient er mir als mobile Surfstation, und PDF Reader. Einfach die Skripte auf den A5 lesen, und bequem und platzsparend mitlesen.

Nachmittags nutze ich ihn als Webradio, einfach den gewünschten Sender einstellen, und hören. Es ist schon sagenhaft wieviel Technik in dieser flachen Flunder steckt.

Negativ ist mir bisher nur die fehlende Mac Kompatibilität, und die zähe Navigation in “Appslib” aufgefallen. Archos hat bereits angekündigt im nächsten Update “Appslib” zu beschleunigen, und der Mac wird hoffentlich auch bald unterstützt. Schließlich funktioniert das Teil sogar ohne Probleme unter Linux.

+ großer Screen

+ schnelles Internet

+ viele Videoformate werden unterstützt

+ Android

+ schlanke Abmessung

+ Akkulaufzeit

+ Apps

+ Emailprogramm

+ große virtuelle Tastatur

+ integrierter Ständer

- Appslib sehr langsam

- noch nicht alle Apps kompatible

- nicht Mac kompatible

Hầu hết fan của những thiết bị multimedia cầm tay đều biết tới Archos, một thưong hiệu nổi tiếng của Pháp, tuy nhiên đa số họ đều thất vọng vì các thiết bị của hãng này bị đánh giá là có giao diện khó xài và đôi khi là “vớ vẩn”.

Mới đây, hãng Archos đã cho ra mắt một thiết bị multimedia mới, “hẽm” đụng hàng với ai, khi thiết bị của họ đựơc trang bị hệ điều hành Android của Google đang gây đình đám trong thời gian gần đây: đó là Archos 5 Internet Tablet (A5IT). Với màn hình 4.8 inch, thiết bị này đựoc xem như một sản phẩm lai giữa một PMP (portable media player) và netbook. Đây cũng là thiết bị chạy Android có màn hình lớn nhất, và tốc độ vi xử lý nhanh nhất – 800MHz. Với độ phân giải chiều ngang đạt 800 pixel, A5IT có thể hiển thị một trang web ở độ phân giải gốc mà không cần tới chức năng cắt trang cho thiết bị mobile. Với bộ vi xử lý mạnh như vậy, nhanh là chuyện đương nhiên, hơn nữa, trình duyệt A5IT hổ trợ flash (version 9), giúp ta có thể xem các video trên Youtube như xem tivi ở nhà. Ngoài ra, giao diện của Android OS cũng không mựơt mà bóng bẩy như trên điện thoại di động, mà lại đưọc hãng tút lại theo phong cách riêng của mình. Tuy nhiên, AppLib’s Store của hãng (một dang như Android Market) chỉ có vỏn vẹn 4 application vào thời điểm hiện tại.

Mặc dù được trang bị màn hình lớn, nhưng thiết bị có độ dày khá khiêm tốn, chỉ hơn 1cm, và trọng lựơng chỉ có 250gr, mỏng và nhẹ nhoa. Dĩ nhiên, khi  bạn nân cấp dung lựơng của ổ cứng lên thì theo đó bề dày và trọng lựơng của máy cũng tăng theo, thế nên ý tửơng sử dụng thẻ microSD có vẽ là khả thi.

Đặc biệt hãng có một phụ kiện đi theo khiến cho A5IT thêm phần độc đáo, đó là cái dock DVR. Các tính năng của dock này gồm có: giúp máy sạc điện nhanh hơn, kết nối với máy ảnh kỉ thuật số, máy tính để chuyển dữ liệu, kết nối với ti vi ngoài hổ trợ chuẩn 720p HD, để thu các chương trình tivi mình yêu thích, chơi multimedia với remote đi theo.

Cấu hình chi tiết:

Màn hình: 4.8” TFT LCD, 16 triệu màum, cảm ứng.

Vi xử lý: Vi xử lý chính: ARM Cortex-A8, @ 600MHz.

Vi xử lý phụ: 32-bit DSP @ 430MHz.

Ram:128MB.

Dung lượng:  60GB, 120GB, 250GB.

Hệ điều hành: Linux Android.

Kết nối:  Wifi 802.11b/g, USB2.0 (có thể kết nối thêm chuột, bàn phím rời, đầu đọc thẻ nhớ, máy ảnh…)

Playback: Video:  MP4, WMV, M-JPEG (có thể chơi được cái file có hổ trợ HD 720p).

Music: MP3, WMA, WAV, OGG, AAC+

Photo: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF.

Other:  PDF viewer,

Batery: Pin Lithium Polymer, sạc wa USB hoặc adapter. Nghe nhạc: 22h, xem phim: 7h.

Tương thích: Window Vista, XP, Me, 2000 hoặc hơn, Mac OS và Linux.

Giá: khoảng 6tr.

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Yes, Archos was introduced his latest tablet pc and here is the latest video from youtube. Let’s watch what it loks like.

I think this tablet pc with windows 7 looks very attractive and very beautiful; but one of the most important part of it that can play HD videos. It is also 17 mm and 800 grams.

I predict that by this time next year we’ll be wading in Android mini-tablets up to our knees.

It’s going to be the next Netbook Flood.

Why I say this is due to two things.

1) Google released Android OS version 2.0 today. This is a significant improvement that simply cannot be dismissed by anyone — certainly not by Palm (webOS) and especially not by Apple. Even what I’ve seen of just Android 1.5 on the Archos 5 Internet Tablet has increased my interest in that OS — thanks in great part to the Aldiko ePub-reading program.

2) I was looking at this video of the Alex eBook reading device:

That’s really a very, very strange way to overcome two shortcomings: the limited functionality of eInk and the battery-eating predilection of a color LCD screen.

That Alex device would be blown out of the water by any device with a Pixel Qi screen. The Pixel Qi can go from battery-chomping full-color to battery-stingy eInk-like e-paper monochrome with the flick of a switch.

Why build a device with two screens when one will do?

(Yes, I know the Nook is built like that too. But it has Barnes & Noble behind it to keep it alive for at least a few months. The Alex is basically dead on arrival.)

We’ve already seen Asus shake up the entire computer industry by creating the netbook category.

That category is beginning to dry up. The new Intel CULV designs are really for machines priced a bit higher than the netbook price point. These machines are also considerably larger than a grab-and-go tote-anywhere netbook.

This leaves a hole in the market for the next grab-and-go tote-anywhere device and the next sell-like-crazy-mad device.

That’s where an Android mini-tablet would fit.

One thing people tend to forget is that the madmen behind Android were previously employees of PalmSource, the spin-off of the Palm OS. They have tons of experience with small devices. And while I wouldn’t expect them to hit an Apple-level of excellence (due to a lack of Steve Jobs to harangue them), they have already hit the Good Enough mark with Android 1.5 and easily surpassed the craptastic Windows Mobile botch. They could soon leave webOS behind too.

Intel has been trying to define this space with what they’ve termed Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs). They’ve been creating an OS called Mobilin. How many of these devices have you seen for sale despite two years of prototypes and hype from Intel’s partners?

Um, right: zero.

Intel has already lost that gamble. And with ARM chips ramping up their speed, Intel might also find itself shut out of the CPU socket of all these Android mini-tablets.

Apple’s upcoming iTablet is going to revolutionize everything and will again goad every tech company to imitation — as with the iPhone.

So: Android mini-tablets to sop up the money from all the people who can’t afford the iTablet (just as the Commodore-64 grabbed all those people who couldn’t afford an Apple II+ way back when — that would have been me!) as well as appeal to all those people who already have Android phones yet desire a bigger screen experience from time to time.

And then there is the huge factor of eBooks, which will really drive this market, especially for devices that use the Pixel Qi dual-mode screen. I’ve already shown that Aldiko’s software is probably the best eBook software out there right now because it can do ePub. While it can’t do Adobe DRMed ePub, I can envision a device manufacturer getting an Adobe license, getting an Aldiko license, and marrying the two for an eBook-friendly Android-based mini-tablet.

What’s great about such a product flood — as we’ve already seen with netbooks — is that inspires companies to ruthless innovation as well as aggressive pricing. But there will be more innovation with Android mini-tablets than was ever possible with netbooks — because there isn’t a Microsoft lording over everyone dictating hardware limitations.

Archos commercialise au prix de 499€ sa tablette PC processeur Intel Atom 1.1 GHz, écran 8.9″, 1 Go (DDR2 SDRAM 400), Disque dur 60 Go (1.8”), Wifi compatible IEEE 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 (compatible EDR), USB 2.0 port, DC-IN jack, Sortie audio 3.5”, Autonomie d’environ 5 heures, Webcam intégrée (1,3 MegaPixels), Dimensions 256 x 134 x 17 mm, Masse 800 grammes. Le tout fonctionne sous Windows 7. Tout Internet frisonne déjà de la Mac Tablette, les prochains mois vont être palpitants

We kick off with some news I tripped over on Twitter:

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This is the link, and here is that photo:

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iSilo is just about ancient software. People used it back in the days of the original Palm Pilot. I think many people will be surprised to find that it’s still being used — and has been ported to Android. Talk about staying power!

Myself, I could never get into using it. I can’t recall why now. Perhaps it’s worth another shot when/if I get an Android OS device. If you are using iSilo, leave a Comment with the hows and whys.

Next up, I hypnotized Judie Lipsett of Gear Diary to do my evil bidding and fondle an Archos 5 Internet Tablet while she was at B&H Photo helping to pimp Windows 7. She sent me some photos:

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Wait. What?

Astute readers have already realized that is not the Archos 5 Internet Tablet. It’s the Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet:

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That’s not Android!

Still, she did get a nifty picture of its thickness versus the iPhone:

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That fatty is clearly a version with a hard drive in it.

Archos really made a huge mistake giving the Android version the same designator as the non-Android device: Archos 5. It’s very confusing to people. I was confused at J&R, until I realized the box of the new one has the Android on it:

And of course the new device has this on its bottom front:

Versus the confusing older model, which has only this:

Don’t be confused when buying! Look for “5 Internet Tablet” on its front and the Android on the box!

This is the box, which I’ve screensnapped from this video:

That makes what’s inside obvious.

Fellow Twitterite bshermcincy reminded me that he did a review of Aldiko for The Gadgeteer several months ago.

There’s fan site USArchos, which has a bunch of links and a review of a really fugly case.

And finally, brand new, is this video demonstrating using VOIP to make/receive calls. I am unqualified to judge if that’s actually happening, however.

Got my Archos5 Android 32gb 2days ago and figured out the way of making call thru google voice with Sipdroid ..some of application are ported from android market…

Previously here:

Archos 5 Internet Tablet Notes
Dell Tops The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Friday October 16, 2009
Android OS Aldiko ePub Display Challenge
eBook Notes For Thursday, October 15, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Will It Be Stable Now?
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
eBook Use On The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Monday, October 5, 2009

It interests me as a current alternative to eInk devices (albeit for the, ahem, technically savvy), so from time to time I will plop a post in here with links to posts and stuff about it.

My current enchantment will most likely end once Dell releases the Streak — certainly in January when Apple announces the iTablet.

State of the Android Archos… And Some More — root has been gained, but not in a permanent fashion. Root is important because apparently Android currently prohibits screensnap applications for some reason having to do with root access.

TaxMan 45 is busy tormenting me. First he posts this photo:

– which is available here larger and uncropped (click View Full Size for a ginormous version), and then he does a post detailing how much fun he’s having: Archos Android update.

And Chippy of UMPC Portal tormented me in live video chat tonight:

And jkk of jkkmobile joined him with is iPhone:

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Those in the New York City area, B&H Photo apparently has it (not the model that has “Media” in its title).

Finally, Charbax, who runs Archos Fans, has done a rather memorable and hyperactive demonstration video:

Charbax has given full disclosure too:

Full disclosure: I am the biggest Archos fanboy in the world. I run the worlds biggest Archos fans community here at http://archosfans.com and at http://forum.archosfans.com and have done so for the past 5 years. Archos did send me this new Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android 4 days ago for free and have told me that I could keep it since I also need it to support the thousands of Archos users in my online community.

Previously here:

Dell Tops The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Friday October 16, 2009
Android OS Aldiko ePub Display Challenge
eBook Notes For Thursday, October 15, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Will It Be Stable Now?
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse
eBook Notes For Tuesday October 13, 2009
eBook Use On The Archos 5 Internet Tablet
eBook Notes For Monday, October 5, 2009

Dell ha lanzado un tablet basado en Android: Streak.

Lo que se ve es un prototipo, por lo que aún está sujeto a cambios de diseño.

Tiene una pantalla táctil de 5 pulgadas de 800×400 píxeles, además de una batería de 1300mA, conectividad WiFi , Bluetooth y 3G. También cuenta con ranura de para tarjetas microSD y lleva la versión 2.0 de Android. Su cámara es de 5 Mpx.

Parace ser que Dell se ha planteado en serio competir con el tablet de Archos.

Fuente de la noticia

Either they’ve accidentally announced it’s coming or this is one hell of a mistake!

From the Nook Fact Sheet [PDF link], this:

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There is currently no B&N eReader for Android. This is what’s available at the B&N eReader download page:

No Android version! (No Windows Mobile, either — but who cares about that other than maybe Barnes & Noble?)

It’d be great to have a version that runs on the Archos 5 Internet Tablet and the leaked Dell Streak.