Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android

[dlock13]

I've been reading a lot about this lately, and it honestly seems like a pretty damned great device for the money. I've read a few reviews that say it's good and some say it's bad.. obviously, but anyway, I wanted to find out user experiences with the device from the good people of Anandtech.

I loved my iPod Touch, but it was a first generation, and I sold it for 260$ a few weeks before the 3rd gens dropped. I've used the Zune HD, but honestly, it doesn't wow me. It has a good UI, and that's it in my eyes. The Archos has everything you could possibly want in the device plus a great battery life. The only thing that is it's downfall to me is the fact that it uses a resistive touchscreen. /sadface.

Anyway, I hope this forum has users who have tried it. I need a new PMP/PDA, and the Archos does seem like a good idea.

 

[gorcorps]

Seems pretty big. What are you mainly looking for in this device?

 

[dlock13]

Well, it's not that big. I've seen it in person at Best Buy, but their display model was not functioning. Mainly, I love the fact that its a huge all in one device. It has everything you could ever want basically. I'm not big on the Zune pass as I'd rather not have subscription based music. I'm not big on using iTunes at all. It's past the point of annoyance.

Anyway, I just really do love all the functionality that this device is capable of and will be capable of with every Android update and as soon as Google enables it's marketplace and such on it.

 

[vshah]

Well, it's not that big. I've seen it in person at Best Buy, but their display model was not functioning. Mainly, I love the fact that its a huge all in one device. It has everything you could ever want basically. I'm not big on the Zune pass as I'd rather not have subscription based music. I'm not big on using iTunes at all. It's past the point of annoyance.

Anyway, I just really do love all the functionality that this device is capable of and will be capable of with every Android update and as soon as Google enables it's marketplace and such on it.

i don't think its up to google to enable the marketplace, its up to archos

 

[destrekor]

If I could abandon Zune, I'd get that. But I love Zune and my ZuneHD too much to get another device. My ZuneHD plus Moto Droid is a perfect combination of things, helps keep overall battery life between devices not something I need to worry about - Zune does music perfect, my Droid does all my app duty and life management. I felt if everything was one device, I'd have issues keeping the battery ready to be used at any point in the day.

However, an 800mhz ARM Cortex A8? :drool:. The iPhone 3Gs, Palm Pre, and Moto Droid all use 550mhz or 600mhz A8s. Having that bumped up, oh sweet heavenly jesus do want.

 

[dlock13]

i don't think its up to google to enable the marketplace, its up to archos

Well, it's actually up to Google because of the fact that the marketplace/applications are built to accommodate a camera and compass that is found in each Android phone. Also, the resolution is not allowed yet. However, Archos said Google has been working to implement functionality to the Archos 5 tablet.

If I could abandon Zune, I'd get that. But I love Zune and my ZuneHD too much to get another device. My ZuneHD plus Moto Droid is a perfect combination of things, helps keep overall battery life between devices not something I need to worry about - Zune does music perfect, my Droid does all my app duty and life management. I felt if everything was one device, I'd have issues keeping the battery ready to be used at any point in the day.

However, an 800mhz ARM Cortex A8? :drool:. The iPhone 3Gs, Palm Pre, and Moto Droid all use 550mhz or 600mhz A8s. Having that bumped up, oh sweet heavenly jesus do want.

At the moment, I only use my Blackberry Storm for media. I used to own an iPod Touch 1st Gen as previously stated, but I'm not really fond of returning to the Apple family as they've barely upgraded the product so it's basically a waste to purchase it.

My roomie has a Zune HD, and yes, it does handle music pretty damn good. It just is a waste to me to purchase it seeing as how it's basically the 1st gen iPod Touch all over again. The only two things good about it are the amazing UI and the OLED screen which doesn't really benefit anything since you've got such a small screen on it.

Anyway, taking the plunge for a Zune HD just doesn't seem worth it to me at all. I look to upgrade when I purchase a new device, not sidegrade. I'll more than likely be purchasing an Android phone come February when I get me upgrade so maybe going the route of Zune HD wouldn't be bad since I'll have the Droid. Right?

I don't really know what to do! I use Zune media player for all of my music. I used to use iTunes, but I got sick of the MS Excel layout that has been there since before time.

 

[PlatinumGold]

I have the archos 7, would LOVE it if they ported Android to that device. wow. that would make that device really pop.

Well, it's actually up to Google because of the fact that the marketplace/applications are built to accommodate a camera and compass that is found in each Android phone. Also, the resolution is not allowed yet. However, Archos said Google has been working to implement functionality to the Archos 5 tablet.


At the moment, I only use my Blackberry Storm for media. I used to own an iPod Touch 1st Gen as previously stated, but I'm not really fond of returning to the Apple family as they've barely upgraded the product so it's basically a waste to purchase it.

My roomie has a Zune HD, and yes, it does handle music pretty damn good. It just is a waste to me to purchase it seeing as how it's basically the 1st gen iPod Touch all over again. The only two things good about it are the amazing UI and the OLED screen which doesn't really benefit anything since you've got such a small screen on it.

Anyway, taking the plunge for a Zune HD just doesn't seem worth it to me at all. I look to upgrade when I purchase a new device, not sidegrade. I'll more than likely be purchasing an Android phone come February when I get me upgrade so maybe going the route of Zune HD wouldn't be bad since I'll have the Droid. Right?

I don't really know what to do! I use Zune media player for all of my music. I used to use iTunes, but I got sick of the MS Excel layout that has been there since before time.

 

[dlock13]

I have the archos 7, would LOVE it if they ported Android to that device. wow. that would make that device really pop.

The Archos 7 also has a resistive touchscreen, correct?

 

[Chapbass]

I've also been looking into the archos 5/7 vs getting an N900. Based on everything I've read, i decided on N900 simply due to the fact that Archos is bound to screw something up. Keep in mind you have lots of overhead costs in addition to the player like codecs, addons, etc.

Why the huge need for capacitive? If you know how to properly use a resistive screen, its honestly just as good, and more accurate. Not to mention cheaper. Resistive > capacitive, imo.

 

[dlock13]

I've also been looking into the archos 5/7 vs getting an N900. Based on everything I've read, i decided on N900 simply due to the fact that Archos is bound to screw something up. Keep in mind you have lots of overhead costs in addition to the player like codecs, addons, etc.

Why the huge need for capacitive? If you know how to properly use a resistive screen, its honestly just as good, and more accurate. Not to mention cheaper. Resistive > capacitive, imo.

Well, I used to have the Voyager. It was my first touchscreen phone, and I hated using the touchscreen. It was extremely terrible. Maybe it's because the Voyager's wasn't good to begin with, and I've only ever really used a handful of resistive devices, but I just think of this plastic screen that dips in when you touch it and is terribly inaccurate. Also, I did have the iPod Touch for the past 1.5 years so it's safe to say I've grown accustom to the accuracy/multitouch capabilities of it. It's just going to be hard for me to go back to resistive.

I need to find someone in my location that has an Archos 5/7 so I can play with it, or I might head to Best Buy and hope they have a working unit.

 

[Chapbass]

I would honestly try some other resistive devices. As an example, I can use my HTC 6800, which has not only resistive, but OLD resistive. And I can use it (on winmo no less) without a stylus and be perfectly accurate. Just remember to use your nail (like you're pointing at something, not using slow kid gloves) and youll be fine


EDIT: Also, many of the new screens don't have a plastic edge around them (see nokia's n900 for example). It's also pretty well accepted that resistive screens are more accurate...maybe the voyager was configured wrong? Either way, in my opinion using touchscreens of any type is all about knowing how to use it. One of my coworkers has an iphone, watching him use anything with a resistive screen is absolutely horrific

 

[dlock13]

I would honestly try some other resistive devices. As an example, I can use my HTC 6800, which has not only resistive, but OLD resistive. And I can use it (on winmo no less) without a stylus and be perfectly accurate. Just remember to use your nail (like you're pointing at something, not using slow kid gloves) and youll be fine


EDIT: Also, many of the new screens don't have a plastic edge around them (see nokia's n900 for example). It's also pretty well accepted that resistive screens are more accurate...maybe the voyager was configured wrong? Either way, in my opinion using touchscreens of any type is all about knowing how to use it. One of my coworkers has an iphone, watching him use anything with a resistive screen is absolutely horrific

I mean I'm technologically capable of using anything personally. The problem is, I'll more than likely want it to be a capacitive screen and use flick scrolling and other things of that nature since that's all I've used for the past.. well, 2 years. Even my Blackberry Storm is capacitive which isn't used very well on the phone's OS, but it's still capacitive so it's easy to use for me if that makes sense.

I'm going to go to my local Best Buy to test it tomorrow and see how well I like it. I wonder if they'll update it or something of the sort for me. Haha. I want to love this device, but since I'm getting an Android phone in February, I feel as though this device will be a waste after I get the phone and that I should have just purchased a Zune HD or an iPod Touch.

 

[Chapbass]

Haha, didnt mean to say you werent capable of it . All I know is alot of people (reviewers even) post videos of using devices with resistive screens, they clearly have no idea how to use them (using the pads of their thumbs or fingers instead of the tips), then complain that it takes way too much pressure to make the phone work...or that its unresponsive.

Silly people

Give it a go tomorrow, let me know whatyou think (I'm more curious as to the interface and responsiveness than the screen, as I was curious about an archos as well).

What store are you going to that has it out?

 

[dlock13]

Haha, didnt mean to say you werent capable of it . All I know is alot of people (reviewers even) post videos of using devices with resistive screens, they clearly have no idea how to use them (using the pads of their thumbs or fingers instead of the tips), then complain that it takes way too much pressure to make the phone work...or that its unresponsive.

Silly people

Give it a go tomorrow, let me know whatyou think (I'm more curious as to the interface and responsiveness than the screen, as I was curious about an archos as well).

What store are you going to that has it out?

It's the Best Buy in Cranberry, PA. I was there the other day, but I only was able to play with it for a few seconds because I was in a gigantic rush. However, I'll be sure to let you know how it is. From what I've read, it's a good all around device but doesn't best any category successfully.

I mean I honestly won't be able to judge the product because it will be running the older firmware on it which from what I've read is slower and sluggish, but since it was released, it has been upgraded several times and is actually speedy as all hell. Anyway, I'll be sure to let you know how it is upon me arrival home.

 

[dlock13]

Well, I had a limited chance to play with it. It seems as though the touchscreen isn't as bad as I thought it to be at first. The responsiveness was there, but it was running the first firmware and they've updated it like hell the past months to have a more responsive device, and this obviously did not represent that.

Anyway, the screen was gorgeous. The colours were awesome. They had a preloaded 720p video on there that just made the screen make me go, "wow." It's no LED/OLED, but it still is amazing for it's size. I wasn't able to use any other functionality other than the music player, the photos, and the videos. I tried the keyboard, and it was fairly accurate. Obviously, there's no multitouch available so it wasn't as fast to type on, but it was still pretty damn good.

Like I said, I didn't get a chance to use any online functionality, but it did seem as though you'd get great use out of it if it had Wifi and the Android Marketplace already on it, but you can easily add that yourself when you purchase it.

Anyway, I think this device is great and the size isn't at all that bad. Think along the lines of a DS or a PSP original, not thickness but just general area. If you could get Google Navigation running on it, then that would make this device all the better. The kickstand was incredibly sturdy as well.

I don't know what to do. This device just makes me think it could be an extremely good purchase, but me friend was saying, "well, what if you wanted to walk around and listen to music?" I don't regularly do that so it's not that huge of a deal breaker to me.

The music and video player both seemed solid and in essence acted like the iPod Touch menu based basically. Also, since it's android, there's going to have to be another open source media player you can download and use.

Overall, I would give this an 7.5/10 based on the fact that it seemed solid at first, but without internet, I don't know how much of an appeal there will be.

 

[Chapbass]

Well, I had a limited chance to play with it. It seems as though the touchscreen isn't as bad as I thought it to be at first. The responsiveness was there, but it was running the first firmware and they've updated it like hell the past months to have a more responsive device, and this obviously did not represent that.

Anyway, the screen was gorgeous. The colours were awesome. They had a preloaded 720p video on there that just made the screen make me go, "wow." It's no LED/OLED, but it still is amazing for it's size. I wasn't able to use any other functionality other than the music player, the photos, and the videos. I tried the keyboard, and it was fairly accurate. Obviously, there's no multitouch available so it wasn't as fast to type on, but it was still pretty damn good.

Like I said, I didn't get a chance to use any online functionality, but it did seem as though you'd get great use out of it if it had Wifi and the Android Marketplace already on it, but you can easily add that yourself when you purchase it.

Anyway, I think this device is great and the size isn't at all that bad. Think along the lines of a DS or a PSP original, not thickness but just general area. If you could get Google Navigation running on it, then that would make this device all the better. The kickstand was incredibly sturdy as well.

I don't know what to do. This device just makes me think it could be an extremely good purchase, but me friend was saying, "well, what if you wanted to walk around and listen to music?" I don't regularly do that so it's not that huge of a deal breaker to me.

The music and video player both seemed solid and in essence acted like the iPod Touch menu based basically. Also, since it's android, there's going to have to be another open source media player you can download and use.

Overall, I would give this an 7.5/10 based on the fact that it seemed solid at first, but without internet, I don't know how much of an appeal there will be.

This is the reason why i was planning N900 over Archos 5/7. Mine should be shipping tomorrow!

Great review though, that screen does make me really want the archos....who knows, maybe ill get both sooner or later for different purposes!

 

[dlock13]

This is the reason why i was planning N900 over Archos 5/7. Mine should be shipping tomorrow!

Great review though, that screen does make me really want the archos....who knows, maybe ill get both sooner or later for different purposes!

That thing looks amazing. Is it a computer first then a phone? Can you use it without putting it on a contract with anyone? I'd much rather have an always connected device a la the Peek without having to pay monthly for it and for a cell phone as well.

I'm still on the fence about the Archos though. It is amazing, and it's basically going to end up somewhat like a larger iPod Touch once the Android Marketplace and Google Experience is fully brought to it so in essence it'd be better to go with the Archos because it really has everything you want.

The Zune HD is great, but it really is only an MP3/Video player in my eyes. It has an OLED screen and Nvidia Tegra, but a battery life that is similar to that of an iPod Touch. It should easily surpass 35 hours audio and 12 hours video. Tegra + OLED = lowest power consumption ever.

Anyway, I'm still completely on the fence. Right now, it's the iPod Touch and the Archos in the lead with the Archos edging by a small margin.

 

[Chapbass]

That thing looks amazing. Is it a computer first then a phone? Can you use it without putting it on a contract with anyone? I'd much rather have an always connected device a la the Peek without having to pay monthly for it and for a cell phone as well.

I'm still on the fence about the Archos though. It is amazing, and it's basically going to end up somewhat like a larger iPod Touch once the Android Marketplace and Google Experience is fully brought to it so in essence it'd be better to go with the Archos because it really has everything you want.

The Zune HD is great, but it really is only an MP3/Video player in my eyes. It has an OLED screen and Nvidia Tegra, but a battery life that is similar to that of an iPod Touch. It should easily surpass 35 hours audio and 12 hours video. Tegra + OLED = lowest power consumption ever.

Anyway, I'm still completely on the fence. Right now, it's the iPod Touch and the Archos in the lead with the Archos edging by a small margin.

Yep, the N900 is really a mobile PC first, the phone function is simply an application to run. Relatively small programmer base compared to iphone/android, but I like what theyre doing with it. Alot of the more techie functions as well (vpn, ssh, remote desktop, etc). Yeah, you can use it without a contract, I plan on getting Tmobile and just not signing a contract (paying month to month). The phone is only sold in the states as unlocked, so it hurts a little upfront, but it isnt too bad.

Additionally, it has built in skype, so you can use that to make calls over a data plan if you want. Pretty slick.

 

[dlock13]

It's about 200$ more than I'm willing to spend for the N900. Anyway, the Archos tablet really is catching my eye still, and I think I might put down the money for it. It's probably the best choice for me as well seeing as how it does everything and more than an iPod Touch can do and that would be the other thing I would want to get.

I'm still on the damn fence! Damn it!

 

[erwos]

The Archos tablet doesn't have official support for the Android app store. I'd be wary of buying it just because of that.

 

[dlock13]

The Archos tablet doesn't have official support for the Android app store. I'd be wary of buying it just because of that.

Archos has been in talks with Google to bring the official Marketplace to the 5. It's just a matter of time. Also, you can already install it yourself right now.

 

[dlock13]

I've decided to go with the iPod Touch. The functionality of the device just can't be beat by either of those two. Thanks for everyone's input!