ARCHOS drops five Android tablets on an unsuspecting public

Posted by | 08/31/2010 | 6 Comments

Okay, we weren’t really that unsuspecting, but it’s still impressive that ARCHOS is beefing up their line of media tablets with five new models running Android, including a model with 2.8″ display starting under $100.

Using a naming system based on screen size, ARCHOS announced the ARCHOS 28, 32, 43, 70, and 101 Internet tablets, sporting display diagonals of 2.8″, 3.2″, etc. The smallest is billed as the “First Android MP3/MP4 Player Promoted Below $100.” It features 4GB of storage and retails for $99.99. The 32 and 43 both feature built-in photo/video cameras and 8GB storage, priced at $149.99 and $199.99, respectively. These three seem aimed directly at the iPod touch, which is expected to be refreshed with a new model at tomorrow’s Apple event, with very competitive pricing.

The larger 70 will be available with either an 8GB SSD for $274.99 or 250GB HDD for $349.99. The 101, which they claim offers the largest screen of any Android device, will strangely be offered with only 8GB or 16GB SSD options for $299.99 and $349.99, respectively.

All will use Android 2.2 as the OS with Wi-Fi for Internet access. Apps will be available through the ARCHOS AppsLib store. The top three feature HDMI-out (32 offers composite video-out; 28 none) and microSD slots (except the HDD version of the 70). All are online at the ARCHOS web site now and Joanna Stern has hands-on video at Engadget.

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Category: Mobile

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My name is Mark Sumimoto; I am Sumocat. I dabble in all areas of mobile computing, but my focus is Windows-based Tablet PCs and pen input. They’ve been part of my arsenal since 2004, and I’m proud to have pioneered the field of ink blogging, earning a spot as a Microsoft MVP for Touch and Tablets in the process. My current tools include a Fujitsu Lifebook T900, TEGA v2, and iPhone 4. Email me: sumocat [at] notebooks.com
  • dcboy

    With there history of slow updates, or no updates, as in the case of the 5 inch android tablet still on 1.6 and the 7 inch that just hit the stors like Microcenter with Android 1.5, is anyone willing to risk buying?
    Fool me one…

    will wait for a company like HTC to put a tablet to market.

  • Roberto

    I would like to see an mp3/4 player with 120gbs on it myself.

  • Kevin

    As much as i would be tempted to get one I think i will pass, they make decent hardware but with all you can do with an Andriod phone i cant see spending more just for a larger screen

    • frblckstr

      @dcboy
      The Archos (talking about the Archos 5IT here) doesn’t really need 2.x accept maybe for the flash plugin part.
      It plays downloaded flash games and flash videos as is, and the latest updated even has hardware accalerated 3D games, not bad for a music player.

      @Kevin
      The difference is in the size, I tried a Archos 7 Home tablet and its 7″ screen is very good for watching video ‘on the road’ (in the train in my case)

      So yes, I am waiting for this new 7″ to come available around here.

  • http://Archosfans.com Charbax

    As you know, all these tablets very likely will support the full Google Marketplace, easily installable from a market4archos.apk file which you can find on a google search.

  • http://www.slow-computers.com Slow computer performance

    These tablets are now out. I am particularly interested in the 7″ tablet called Archos 70 Internet Tablet. I will buy it in the near future and I will post here a quick review for it.

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