Archos hints at fifth-generation media players
updated 12:55 pm EDT, Thu June 14, 2007
Archos 5th Generation Hint
Archos is about to announce its next-generation line, according to a teaser posted at its main website with an indefinite countdown. Although officially vague, recent details show that the company plans to revise most of its models all at once to include additional storage options and will likely include extras beyond those revealed in leaks. The Archos 605 (pictured) will lead the designs with integrated Wi-Fi and either 4GB of flash or varying sizes of hard drive up to 160GB with a new SDHC card slot supporting as much as 32GB of extra space; both will reportedly share a 4.3-inch touchscreen.
Further versions will also be defined by their storage and screen size, say reports. The Archos 505 will go without networking but should maintain at least one hard disk option (likely 40GB) from the 605 as well as the large screen. The Archos 405, in turn, will hold only 2GB of flash but gains portability through a 3.5-inch screen and could expand through both microSD and miniSD card slots to expand storage over time. A completely new model, the Archos 105, would port many of the features of the 405 to a device with a 1.8-inch screen.
Some common abilities would be present, according to the claims, including support for most MPEG movie standards and WMV. AAC, MP3, and WMA audio playback is also said to be certain.
While the exact time when the countdown will complete is deliberately obscured, the new Archos players are expected within the next several days, and should see at least some of the new models available for the US in the near future. [via GenerationMP3 and JBMM]
