Archos unveils Android-based home tablets
updated 11:15 am EST, Mon March 1, 2010
Archos intros two Android tablets in Europe
Archos today made official its home-oriented tablets running Android. Both the Archos 7 and 8 use ARM9 CPUs along with Google's platform; the 8 is a unique digital photo frame that is still intended for use on the web as well as for video playback. At less than 0.5 inches thick, it can work handheld as well as on a stand.
The Archos 7 is a more conventional tablet and has built-in Wi-Fi along with a USB 2.0 connection. Battery life is rated at 7 hours when playing back videos, or 44 for music playback.
The 2GB Archos 7 will cost the equivalent of just over $200 in Europe when it is released in April, while the 8GB version will cost $240. The 4GB Archos 8 is due in May with just over a $200 price tag. [via UMPCPortal]
Archos 7
Archos 8
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Joined: Aug 2008
More Android Fragmentation
the two models offer different aspect ratios - looks like 16:9 and 4:3 - as well as odd sized physical dimensions of 7" and 8" diagonal. the dpi of each is not stated. buttons and other controls also unstated. is there an accelerometer? plus Archos says even more models with more features to come this summer.
how are Android app developers supposed to deal with all this? no single app's UI design can work just for the entire Archos line of products, let alone other OEM's. crazy.
Apple will have just two physical alternatives for iPhone/touch and iPad, with a single universal app spec/SDK that will work on both.
yes, the Archos pads are cheap. you get what you pay for.