Update: CNET's full review of the Archos 5 is now available.
I've had my hands on the Archos 5 Android internet tablet for more than seven days now, and to be honest, I'm still not sure what to make of it. What's hanging up the review isn't the price (which starts at $249), or capacity (up to 500GB), or the impressive selection of features; it's the devices spotty performance. So far, some stuff just doesn't work as advertised.
GPS reception on the Archos 5 takes several minutes to lock-on to a valid signal. Frankly, I don't often use GPS, but if Archos is going to promise it, then I want it to work.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)If this were Apple or Microsoft, these performance glitches would probably have me spitting venom right now, but Archos is a relatively small company. Chalk it up to looking out for the little guy, but I'm going to give Archos the benefit of the doubt that many of the issues I'm experiencing will be fixed quickly with firmware updates and swept under the rug. In fact, a firmware update earlier this week (v1.1.01) already addressed a problem I had accessing content from microSD cards. In a perfect world, products wouldn't leave the warehouse half-baked--but every company is guilty of it to some degree.
My contact at Archos says there will be another firmware update available next week. Assuming this next round will iron out the kinks, I'm going to hold off on a formal review until then. Of course, I'm also advising that potential buyers wait until our rated review is up before investing in an Archos 5. Considering that Amazon recently froze sales of the 160GB model of the Archos 5, I think it's safe to assume that I'm not the only one having some issues.
Now, true to the title of this piece, my time with the Archos 5 has had its share of bright spots too. Most notably, its video player is one of the best I've used on any device. Unlike previous versions of Archos PVPs, the Archos 5 ships with all the critical video codecs installed, instead of requiring users to purchase codec plug-ins individually. My HD video podcasts, XviD torrents, AVIs, and WMVs all play flawlessly. Videos look great on it too, with the 4.8-inch 800x480-pixel resolution LCD that gives a rich and razor-sharp picture that holds up well, even in daylight. By extension, photos also look great on the Archos 5--although thumbnail previews and transitions aren't nearly as fast and fluid as on the iPod Touch.
If you ask me, the Archos 5's video player alone is worth the price of the whole device, assuming that digital video is really your cup of tea. Unfortunately, as a company, I think Archos is a little tired of being cast as a portable video player manufacturer. Looking at the packaging for the Archos 5, you'd hardly know the device played videos at all. According to the box, this is an "Internet tablet," a term Archos has whittled down from the "Internet media tablet" we saw last year. The choice of phrasing seems particularly odd considering that the device's media features are stronger than ever. I assume Archos wants people to understand in no uncertain terms that they are in the tablet business, in spite of seven years spent manufacturing media players.
... Read moreOn Sale Now:
$379.95
- $379.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (32GB)
On Sale Now:
$299.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (16GB)
On Sale Now:
$485.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (500GB)
Donald and Jasmine discuss potential issues with the Android-based Archos 5...namely, why does the sucker keep crashing on everyone? Also, a look at the freshly posted reviews for the Monster Turbine Pro and JayBird Tiger Eyes earphones, as well as the old-school appealing Altec Lansing inMotion Classic. Finally, big ups to SanDisk for its straightforward approach to an audio issue with the Clip.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
Jasmine's back, and she and Donald tackle the Android-based Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet that just landed in the office--with plenty of unboxing goodness. Also, a new Cowon player is teased in Asia, and Jasmine rants uncontrollably about the sweet new Japan-only Walkmans that she's dying to get her hands on. Finally, no MP3 Insider would be complete without a sojourn into iPod Touch/Zune HD territory, which is exactly where the updated CNET Prizefight comes into play.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
On this, the day of the Zune HD, Donald and Jasmine naturally talk about the now-available player and its updated Zune Software and Marketplace. But the day would not be complete without some love for the next-generation Archos 5, a super sweet Internet media tablet that includes everything but the kitchen sink.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
(Credit:
Archos)
Far be it for Archos to sit idly by and watch Apple, Microsoft, and Creative have all the fun. Today, the company announced its next-generation Archos 5 device, which is perhaps the most fully featured "portable media player" we've seen. In fact, the unit is being marketed as an Internet tablet rather than as a PMP, and that's entirely accurate. The new Archos 5 is running the Android platform, which the device uses for nearly every function besides media playback (that's still handled by Linux). And you know what that means: apps!
There is an interesting caveat here, however. Since the Archos 5 is running at the HD-friendly 720p resolution, which is not approved for Android Cupcake, the selection of apps at start-up will be limited to about 300 (with that number increasing to at least 1,000 by the end of the year), and they are only accessible via the Archos app store. Still, the chances are you'll have the full selection of Android apps by early next year, and we're willing to wait if it means high-res video on the device, something to be fully-appreciated when outputting to a TV (see the gallery for an example).
... Read moreOn Sale Now:
$379.95
- $379.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (32GB)
On Sale Now:
$299.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (16GB)
On Sale Now:
$485.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (500GB)
On Sale Now:
$389.99
View the latest prices for Archos 5 Internet tablet with Android (160GB)
Is an Android-based version of the Archos 5 on its way?
(Credit: Archos)After making an initial appearance at the FCC in August, a new model of the Archos 5 Internet media tablet popped up on B&H on the first of September.
The product listings briefly showed pricing for four models of the updated Archos 5, as well as a page for the Archos DVR Station. If the listings are accurate, consumers can expect to see 16GB ($293), 32GB ($369), 160GB ($319), and 500GB ($419) versions of the updated Archos 5 in the not too distant future (September 15, maybe?).
The odd pricing discrepancy between the $369 32GB Flash memory model and hard drive-based $319 160GB model likely reflects the relative bulkiness of the hard-drive models compared with the thinner, less fragile Flash versions. Without further details, we can only guess.
In fact, there's still plenty we don't know, such as where or when we'll see the white Archos A5S glimpsed from the FCC filing, or how the new tablets will leverage Google's Android OS. I'll also be curious to see if the GPS icon shown on the main screen implies an integrated GPS receiver, or further reliance on a separate GPS cradle. Considering Archos' penchant for upselling users on software add-ons, battery packs, and accessories, I wouldn't bet on built-in GPS--but who knows?
(Via Archos Fans)
The Archos A5S, propped up by a wooden block during testing for FCC clearance.
(Credit: FCC)Just when you thought Zunes and iPods would have September all to themselves, the portable video player powerhouse known as Archos drops off two new devices for FCC approval.
The Archos A5S and A5H revealed in the FCC documents look very similar to last year's Archos 5 Internet media tablet, although the photos show a new white color for the A5S (shown above), and close-up shots of the A5H reveal what looks like a microSD slot and microUSB port. There's no mistaking the Archos 5's same gorgeous, 4.8-inch TFT display, though, which still gives us shivers (in a good way).
The FCC's testing report shows both models sporting 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and an FM transmitter and receiver. What's unclear is whether or not one of these models will support 3G mobile network connectivity, just like last year's SIM-compatible Archos 5G. I wouldn't bet against it, especially since all signs point to a September 15 Archos announcement for new devices running Google's Android OS.
Considering that Archos has already pulled back the curtain on its Netbook and PC tablet, I can't imagine that these new Internet media tablets aren't the 'droids we're looking for. Plus, Texas Instruments made it pretty clear back in February that we'd be seeing some Android-loving media players from Archos.
(Source: FCC filing via Engadget)
The Creative Zii Egg is officially announced, and Jasmine is very confused about the whole thing. Donald's muted attempts to offer clarity are unsuccessful. Also, the MP3 Insiders have caught wind of the potential new S-Series Walkman and are none-too-taken with the Disney design leanings. Plus, a dead-simple (and ugly) new MP3 player from Archos draws scorn, and Donald and Jasmine respond to criticism about talking about Apple too much...and then proceed to dedicate the last third of the show to iPhone apps and the potential for cameras on the iPod.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
Donald and Jasmine talk about the top free music apps and best guitar tools for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Also, Donald rants about the transition from portable media players to Netbooks, and Jasmine concedes that her cat wears the pants in the family. Finally, reader e-mails!
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
The Archos 3.
With about as much fanfare as a prison release, a new Archos touch-screen MP3 player made an appearance on the manufacturer's Web site this morning, along with a handful of product specs.
The product page shows off a new pocket-size MP3 player called the Archos 3, featuring a 3-inch, color, touch screen, 8GB of storage, photo playback, a voice recorder, a calendar, a stopwatch, and 14 hours of battery life.
Archos isn't saying when we'll see the Archos 3, how much it will cost, what kind of files it can play, or really giving any indication why anyone should care. Hey, at least it looks more interesting than the Archos 2 player the company silently released back in April.
Here's hoping this is all leading up to a revision of Archos' strongest product, the Archos 5.
On Sale Now:
$199.99
- $338.37
View the latest prices for Archos 5 (60GB)
Donald Bell is an electronic musician, a veteran record store employee, and a fearless hardware hacker. He's also CNET's Senior Editor for MP3 and digital audio.
Jasmine France is CNET's resident digital audio doyenne, writing and editing product reviews, crave blogs, and feature stories on all things MP3. And if you need advice on headphones, she's your girl.
