The Archos 9

[This post is updating with info from the live press conference. There’s a live discussion going on from the event here. Thanks to @charbax and ArchosFans for the live feed. Charbax will be posting video from the event and archosfans.com later.]

More updates below but one final update needs to go up here before I lock this post. We’re hearing that this could be a multi-touch device. Unconfirmed at the moment.

Windows 7 with the Intel Atom Z515 (800/1200Mz CPU), 16mm thick. 800gm, BT2.1, 802.11b/g, webcam, 120GB. Diversity (dual) tuner. 3G Option, 9″ 1024×600 screen, ethernet 10/100,  external mic, stereo speakers, vga out, 1.3mp webcam, 256mm x 134mm x 16mm

It looks extremely thin. Viliv have a challenger!

Target pricing 450 Euro. Update: Looks like 500 Euro. Availability in Autumn. (Sept/Oct)

Windows 7 delivers a great media experience with the Menlow platform so this makes sense for Archos although I wonder if they’re adding a user interface layer.

I’m worried about the hard drive though. That could be a bottlekneck for Windows 7 as it has been in the past on UMPCs.

What better innovation for a MiniPC than to get rid of keyboards?
ARCHOS once again is leading the way in innovation, with the introduction of the MiniPC of the future, the ARCHOS 9PCtablet. The ARCHOS design team has coupled groundbreaking design with the most advanced technologies, by leveraging their expertise from the design of the Internet Media Tablets. The new PC combines the performance of a high end PC with breathtaking aesthetics, excellent ergonomics and a tactile interface that ARCHOS has built their reputation on. Pure lines, extreme thinness (0.63”), less than 800g and a stunning black finish, the ARCHOS 9 pushes the boundaries of elegance and simplicity on a MiniPC, fulfilling all expectations of the most mobile users.
Intuitive and easy to use, the ARCHOS 9 delivers an unrivalled user experience, and is set to replace the traditional computer. Without a physical keyboard, it provides a virtual keyboard, very easy to use on the the resistive touchscreen, and has an optical trackpoint to let you surf the web, communicate, work and entertain anywhere.
The ARCHOS 9 incorporates the new Intel® ATOMâ„¢ Z515 processor, an 80 GB¹ hard disk, Bluetooth to tether wireless accessories, and 2 antennas to receive DVBT TV with diversity reception.
And what’s more, the ARCHOS 9 is running Microsoft® Windows 7, the latest version of the most commonly used operating system in the world.
The ARCHOS 9 provides all the power and comfort needed for daily usage.
It combines an impressive performance and a rich multimedia experience to deliver the most advanced PC in the world. Be ready to discover it.

Looks like more products are being launched too:

http://www.archos.com/products/nb/index.html?country=de&lang=en

Update: There’s a press release in French.

Update: More specs (French)

Update: More pics.

Full specifications:

• PROCESSOR : Intel ATOM 1.2 GHz Z515 with video chipset US15W
• OPERATING SYSTEM : Microsoft Windows 7
• RAM : 1GB (DDR2 400/533)
• SCREEN : 8.9 inch touch screen is almost 23 inches diagonal
• RESOLUTION : 1024 x 600 pixels
• HARD DRIVE : Up to 2.5-inch 120GB Format
• COMMUNICATION : 10/100 Ethernet card
  WiFi: PCI-E, 2 antennas, manages the IEEE 802.11b / g
  Bluetooth 2.1
• AUDIO : Card Realtek ALC269, 2 stereo speakers and microphone
• CONNECTORS FRONT AND SIDE
  USB 2.0
  Headphone Jack – Audio Output
• Additional ports via an optional port replicator:
  – 2 USB 2.0 ports
  – 10/100 Ethernet Port
  – External Microphon
  – Audio output / headphone
  – VGA output
• BATTERY : Lithium Polymer
• WEBCAM : Integrated 1.3MP camera
• Tuner TNT (diversity reception) recording (depending on model)
• 3.5G HSUPA (depending on model)
• DIMENSIONS : 256mm x 134mm x 16mm (approximately)
• WEIGHT : Less than 800gr
• Box Contents : ARCHOS 9PCtablet, battery, adapter / charger, quick start guide.

Update: Archosfans have their Ustream video available and will post the high quality footage soon.

I’m testing a Viliv X70 EX right now. It’s an impressive ultra mobile PC with a ‘traditional’ slate form factor designed around a 7 inch screen but with so many improvements over the 2006 Origami devices, you’d hardly believe it was in the same product category. Remember how we wanted SSD, 1024×600, SD card slot, GPS, Webcam, 5hr+ battery life, HD video decoding and a quality design? Well you’ve got it right here with the X70 EX. I’m testing the Premium Air model which has the 32GB SSD (it’s fast!) and a built in 3G modem. Read the full story

We’ve reported on the Lluon Mobbit ultra mobile PC before so none of this is new but I took the chance to go over the device again at Computex. I love the way they’ve integrated a flat touchscreen with no recessed edges because it really helps accessing the start and windows close buttons. Quite important on a Windows-based device!

You can get the full specifications and find links to other news items in the Lluon Mobbit product page. Unfortunately we don’t have any information about availability and pricing outside the local market.

Earlier you may have seen the DigiCube MIDPhone, and the idea behind the XpPhone is not much different. Take a look at the video and you’ll see jkk looking at another slider device which runs Windows XP, and also has voice capability. While I somewhat lambasted the DigiCube MIDPhone for its 2 hours of battery life, the 5 hours that the XpPhone purportedly provides is just barely starting to reach a level of practicality as a phone. Of course these devices are probably best served as concepts of even ultra-early adopter devices, but once Moorestown hits, we’ll have good battery life such that a device (hopefully smaller than this) can be viably always-on and in-pocket, functioning not only as a phone, but a computer as well.

An interesting hybrid device has cropped up at Computex. Combining a netbook with a slate ultra mobile PC and running both XP and Android at the same time might sound complicated, but it looks like there is a semi-functional unit on display already.

At the M-Taiwan both there is an HP Mini 1000 [Portal page] which has been fitted to use a VIA C7-M processor, and then fitted with a display which actually has its own 533MHz ARM CPU and runs Android. Essentially the Android slate device functions as the display for the Mini 1000 (running Windows XP) while it is attached, but then can be removed an will function on its own, running Android, as a slate UMPC.

A pretty cool concept definitely, but without any information sharing between the Mini 1000 base and the ARM based slate, I don’t know how productive one could be with this. What might be interesting is if it would be possible to remote control the Mini 1000 base from the ARM based slate. That way you could take some standing notes with the display, then plug it in to the base and switch over to directly controlling XP.

[How to be Mobile]

Hopefully you’ve taken a look at JKontherun’s X70 EX coverage over the last few days and seen how sleek the new Viliv X70 EX is. I’ve just picked up an X70 EX Air from Viliv (Thanks Viliv!) The X70 EX Air takes the 1.3Ghz Intel Atom platform and puts it inside a 7 inch casing with a few additional and important elements. Where the S5 has no cam, the X70 has one. Where the S5 has no built in mic, the X70 has one. There’s also a media slot, built-in stylus and a mini USB port that contains a transfer adaptor. Just plug the X70 into your PC and up pops the file transfer software. (Not tested yet) On the AIR model you’ll also find the 32GB SSD and Huwei Mobile Connect 3G Modem. This is the top-end model. Build quality is, as expected from Viliv, top-notch.

Here are a few notes as I wait for my taxi transfer to Taipei airport…

• This model is ‘98%’ ready.
• Screen is soft touch.
• ‘The mouse-pointer stick is not! Again we have a cursor joystick where a mouse pointer would have been better.
• On screen keyboard has haptic feedback.
• The device feels slightly heavy. This is possibly because I’ve been using the Smart Devices Q7 which is super light-weight.
• There’s a small amount of heat build up on the bottom right.
• Stereo speakers are surprisingly loud and excellent quality for a UMPC
• I’m expecting similar battery life to the S5 (The battery is bigger, but so is the screen.)

And a few pics…

We’ve been following the interesting developments of the CrunchPad, which aims to bring an intuitive and inexpensive web tablet into the hands of consumers. When it was first announced, the idea seemed wild, but as time goes on, the CrunchPad is looking better and more concrete every time we hear about it. Previously we’ve seen an earlier prototype of the CrunchPad on video, but we are now seeing for the first time, an all new, beautiful looking device that TechCrunch says is almost ready for production.

They moved to an aluminum case in place of plastic, vying for strength at the cost of increased price, but it also allows the device to be more thin, bringing the overall thickness to just 18mm. After watching a recently unveiled demo of a slightly older prototype, I’m really hoping to see the CrunchPad’s software evolve further. The idea is wonderful, but if they don’t craft the software with masterful precision, I’m doubting they will get the experience they are targeting if they are relying on a passive touchscreen.

Head to TechCrunch for more images.

We pointed you to James Kendrick’s video overview of the upcoming Viliv X70 UMPC, but now he has a great gallery, including shots of the impressive looking case, and some additional impressions of the unit over at jkOnTheRun.

The more I see this device, the more solid and awesome it looks. If only they could squeeze a keyboard on there somehow…. Seems like it would work great for around the house browsing, and James says he loves it already as an e-book reader.