Archos Goes 3G with Archos 5 and Archos 7 Internet Media Tablets
August 19th, 2008 by Jeffrey L. Wilson 
Archos, one of the premier brands in the portable media player space, is attempting to move beyond the A/V devices that we’re accustomed to seeing from the company by delving into a new genre all together: the internet media tablet.
The Archos 5 series packs a 4.8-inch ( 800 x 480-pixel resolution) touchscreen display that’s designed to be far more responsive than the typical Archos PMP thanks to the inclusion of a Texas Instruments ARM Cortex processor. Archos states that the new engine delivers PC-like speeds, and in an early hands on with the unti a few weeks back, it certainly felt snappier than the very cool, but somewhat sluggish Archos 605 Wi-Fi.
Increased speeds also apply to the Web surfing experience as the internet media tablet includes a built-in antenna and SIM card slot (available in the Archos 5G), but this functionality won’t be available until early 2009. Until then, the built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi radio will let you POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts, and view YouTube clips using the included Opera broswer (with Flash 9 support).
Of course it supports many multimedia codecs including MPEG-4, WMV (protected and unprotected), MP3, WAV, WMA (protected and unprotected), JPG, BMP, GIF, and PNG. As with previous Archos units, users can purchase plug-ins that add extra compatibility with high-resolution video (720p MPEG-4 and WMV video), H.264, AAC, AAC+, and 5.1 sound. The Archos 5 is available in 60GB ($350), 120GB ($400), and 250GB ($450) capacities for storing all of that multimedia.
Archos 7 keeps the the same multimedia functionality and screen resolution, but bumps the display size up to 7 inches. In addition, you can’t simply pop a SIM card into this puppy-you need to purchase a 3G plug-in, add a mobile broadband dongle (or aircard) from a carrier that plugs into the Archos Mini Dock. It’s available in two capacities: 160GB ($450) and 320GB ($550).
Both Archos 5 and Archos 7 players enable entertainment-seekers fire up the WebTV and Radio Player (free with registration) that lets users listen to over 10,000 online radio stations, over 600 TV channels (live and selected content), and over 100,000 podcasts. The TVportation plug-in ($49.95) transforms the players into streaming media servers.
We’re expecting a unit in coming days, so expect a hands-on and full review shortly.
Our Related Content
- Archos 5 Internet Tablet: Full Review
- Why Microsoft Needs a Zune Tablet
- Hands-on with Android-Powered Archos 5. Good Now, Better Later.
From Other Sites
- Archos's Android 5 Tablet: It's Not a PC (or is It?) (Technologizer)
- Possible Winners and Losers in the Wake of the iPad Announcement (GottaBeMobile)
- Tablet Specs Leaked -- ARCHOS 7 Internet Tablet, That Is (jkOnTheRun)
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5 Responses to “Archos Goes 3G with Archos 5 and Archos 7 Internet Media Tablets”
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January 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I just purchased the Archos 7….it almost works but you you have to throw more money at it to get all the plug ins. I have a po box for an address. the site won’t allow a po box for credit card purchases, therefore, I can’t download ANY updates. The site is “coming soon” (for the past month). Tech suppoert won’t do anything to help me. They even told me to make a phony address for my credit card company to download their plug ins. NOT COOL!
The Wi Fi is terrible. disconnects when your not looking and for no reason. its not a timed thing…just turns off.
Run from this lead weight! Its a money pit!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
has anyone exsperianced the 3g icon disappearing of there archos yet?.mine vanished when i applied the firmware that was for the free plugins .theres also another plugin that states,when you apply it, it won’t let you do a roll back to the previously installed os.this will stop you from getting the 3g icon from showing on your device.they stated at the time i puchased it that i could plug a 3g adapter in it (via the dvr station) and i could accsess the internet ,THIS IS NOT TRUE.there are and were never any plugins foir this application.iam looking forward to any comments to this
September 4th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I am looking to buy a Archos 5g but I can’t seem to find them on the Archos website… It says that it hasn’t even actually come out yet. Which is pretty weird since they are for sale in so many other places… Anyways, with the Archos 5g are you able to connect to their network from pretty much anywhere for free? Also is there really any bonus over the itouch or Zune HD?
October 29th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Ooh shoot i just wrote a long comment and when i hit post it came up blank! Please please tell me it worked properly? I do not want to sumit it again if i do not have to! Either the blog bugged out or i am an idiot, the second option doesnt surprise me lol.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:29 am
i have an archos 5 much faster and better than itouch. im typing this on my archos now