Update: Our own unboxing video is now available.
I met Hubert from Ubergizmo at IDF last week and the one thing I forgot to do was to steal his Archos Android Tablet for an overnight hands on. Luckily he’s put up his full review and based on that I’m impressed and inquisitive enough to have ordered one this evening. Yes, Android Tablet live session and review coming soon on UMPCPortal!
The ubergizmo review is generally very positive about audio, video and web along with the overall style of the device, the screen clarity and user interface. The review isn’t so positive about the early, built-in app store which only covers Archos specific apps. Fortunately, standard Android applications can be installed individually and I’m sure we’ll see someone create a generic application store ‘application’ before long.
Most interesting to me is the detail on the browser. Note that it doesn’t support flash (Flash 10 is expected in Q1 2010 with the release of V2.0), isn’t as smooth as the iPhone 3GS but it still ‘good.’ I understand that YouTube videos play through the built-in video player which, based on what I use on my Archos 605 Wifi, is a much smoother way to play back videos. The 4.8” screen at 800×480 is an ideal web size/pixel ratio and so I’ll be interested to see how it compares in usability to the Nokia N900 when I test it at the Maemo summit next week. Ubergizmo posted this video of the browsing experience.
Check out the full review at Ubergizmo and the new Archos 5 Internet Tablet information page in the product portal. I’m expecting the Archos to arrive here next Monday so stay tuned for another live session!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet. (I've ordered one too) http://cli.gs/urua2
September 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
iirc, android 1.5 do not really support random screen sizes, but 1.6 (cupcake?) should. So maybe ones thats official and archos have had time to ready a update, we will see official google apps, the marketplace and more on there.
btw, i think screen size/rez issue was what sunk the australian android phone as well, as it may not be able to handle android apps…
September 30th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/tLism
September 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Hi:
This looks good but I prefer S5/X70! I know they don’t fit in the same category at all but my point is:
When you spend money for a portable device I believe you should be able do more that what you can do with this device. I like Android but I believe XP (and soon Win7) is my OS of choice for such device.
Corticalsam
turn_self_off Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
in theory one can do just as much with android as with windows, as in the end it comes down to the software available.
while windows have a bigger backlog of software, thanks to its legacy, few if any of it is really made for touch screen interaction…
Velik Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Unless a new category of windows development begins which is made for touch screen interaction… which i forsee is to come
September 30th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
The webpage scrolling is horrid; very choppy.
It makes me look forward to the package WM7 will offer…
chippy Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
“Webpage scrolling is horid” based on what you see in the video or personal experience? I was a bit worried about what I saw in the video but i’ve seen firefox do exactly the same before. I’m not expecting Firefox / Atom performance but if it’s within 50% of page load speed (i.e. under 15 seconds average) then I think it represents an important product in the MID category.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
To be honest, Android is rather limited in its current default state. You have no x-server, you have only Java applications (the NDK allows native libraries, but no native applications); only if you root (read: hack) the device, you can unleash its power. But that something not possible for average users.
bj Reply:
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:35 am
With various “1 click” solutions, rooting an android device is well within the grasp of anyone who can load an app. Plus if you root the phone you gain access to paid apps (if your country does not have them yet) and Wifi Teethering (which interestingly enough does not contravene my phone plan with a 6 Gb cap…
September 30th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Check out pic of iPhone next to new Archos 5 Android net tablet: http://tinyurl.com/ydyfrcr #android
September 30th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Windows isn’t good because of UI and power saving. First problem can be solved by the UI for existing progs, but power consumption is a big issue. You can “afford” Windows on 400gm Viliv S5, im not sure about 250gm Moorestones
September 30th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Chippy. what version did you offer? 32Gb? Is any news about more cheap 8 and 16Gb versions?
chippy Reply:
September 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Apparently the 8GB and 16GB versions are available in some markets. Or at least advertisied.
32GB.
I just went for what I could get ASAP
At the very least it will replace my 605 Wifi that I still use to record TV and watch vodcasts every now and again.
Steve
October 1st, 2009 at 12:52 am
A shame Aldiko needs to be modified to run on this, something that hasn’t been done yet. Aldiko will read ePub eBooks and does quite a nice job of it according to reports I’ve read.
http://www.androidguys.com/2009/09/28/app-review-aldiko/
turn_self_off Reply:
October 1st, 2009 at 1:06 am
i suspect the modification will happen when aldiko is updated to support cupcake anyways, as its the first android version to really support multiple screen sizes…
October 1st, 2009 at 2:04 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/KLSNy
October 1st, 2009 at 2:06 am
**PLS SMILE, OK?** Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet …: Unless a new c.. http://bit.ly/KLSNy
October 1st, 2009 at 2:29 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/5kgrb
October 1st, 2009 at 2:47 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/jT3JN
October 1st, 2009 at 2:59 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/31TBEE
October 1st, 2009 at 3:17 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet … http://bit.ly/tsBXf
October 1st, 2009 at 6:49 am
Ubergizmo reviews the Archos (Android) Internet Tablet http://tinyurl.com/ycwdhlx
October 3rd, 2009 at 12:49 am
How does it rate as an ereader ? If pdf/docs looks good on this I think i’ll open the biscuit tin.
October 4th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
If the 9″ version was going to run Android (instead of Windows 7), I’d probably be interested. But I don’t see me carrying a 5″ device (it’d be a third device, and as I’ve said many times, I’m not interested in carrying a 3rd device).
November 29th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Thanks for your support, see you then. I should just give up and take lessons from you