While the OMAP 4430 is nice, I hear that these only have 512MB of RAM, and that is causing problems for some people. For example, applications sometimes get closed automatically and browser is not totally stable. Is this true? Any owners that can verify/debunk this?
That is the last thing I want to deal with. On my crApple device, apps just close by themselves even when only one is running. Not even so much as a thank you for helping enrich the richest scam company in the world.
I have an archos G9 80 that I upgraded to ICS this week. ICS is very smooth and looks good when it works. I am constantly having to re-boot the system as it freezes and apps and internet close down for no reason. in addition when I re-boot it will take 10-12 reboots before it finally opens up. I regret upgrading to iCS as my tablet is now basically un-usable. Hope Archos gets it sorted soon.
I've been running CM9 Alpah on my TP, and it's much nicer than the Sense version of Gingerbread on my phone or CM7 on a tablet.
But I guess it's proving to be a little harder to convert as even the CM guys are moving slower than they thought they would, though I will say the new Alpha 2 is pretty good. Biggest problem I have is it keeps dropping connection to my Google Calender.
I do like Archos though, expecially since they went away from the all propriatary and extra model. Hated being nickled and dimed over things it should have been able to do from the start.
They certainly seem like a good deal, I've been envious of some of the recent tablet announcements but the tech lust is short lived as soon as I remember I paid just $300 for my ASUS Transformer more than six months ago (during the $100 off tablets Office Depot promo)... I honestly expected to see a lot more models at that price point by now (and thus, to regret my decision).
Also, did I miss it or did Anandtech not make any kind of post on Pipeline when the original Transformer received ICS last week? ASUS has been very much on top of things when it comes to updates, they deserve some praise, tho having only two tablets to worry about certainly helps their cause... We'll see how they do with Jelly Bean and all the different variants they're launching this year.
and not just in European markets anymore. Even those run (at the moment) "only" on 512MB of RAM, but there's a rumor that a 1G version might spawn, to accompany pre-loaded with ICS retail versions.
Also of note: the ICS builds include drivers for USB-LAN adapters and 3D-Video, so using the g9 tablets as HTPC replacements is becoming ever more viable.
Also a note of caution: you will not get the same level of refinement as you will get from an iPad 2, from these devices. But you will get as good theoretical performance and (many) more features, for half the price. If you want to explore what is possible in the world of tablets, buying Archos is highly recommended. If you want something that "just works" and keeps on working, I would not commit to this. Also it doesn't give you that fuzzy "I helped Apple get filthy rich" feeling ;)
Initial Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 firmware release MediaCenter Video: support for MKV3D on TV with automatic switch to best 3D mode MediaCenter Video: allow to disable system notifications in video player MediaCenter Video: collection of VOB files from DVD are now gathered into a single movie item MediaCenter Music: integrate Music control panel in Lock Screen MediaCenter info dialog: allow to edit the name used for performing the Movie and TVShow online search File Manager: display a notification when file copy continues in background File Manager: improved drag and drop support File Manager: new option to prevent indexing of some storage/sdcard folders by multimedia library Applications: more robust video conferencing support (Google talk, Skype etc.) USB file transfer: a samba server is now activated on the tablet when using USB network tethering for easier file transfer on non Windows based hosts Archos widgets: new USB network tether widget External Keyboard: french layout has been expanded to handle AtlGr keys for special symbols Accessories: Xbox gamepad support
Archos seems ok, but would love to see a device from them with a truly high-end IPS/PVA display. Like that they are Europeans with a slightly different take on things, view accessories slightly different and so on, and was a pioneer in the field. But they will never be a Kindle or iPad like business. They seem to have a pretty decent software and hardware platform to build on though. So they have to focus on hardware, software integration and external partners. They won't be the ones selling books, movies, apps and all to me, as the EU system won't really allow that, the ones owning movie rights in France aren't the same companies owning them in my country so it's hard to build services like that in Europe. Laws forbids us to do so even though all other services and goods move freely on the common market, some things are easier like apps, games and books, I can access 1 million books from the American Amazon site, but there is no such service serving the needs and languages of the many European states, things like Steam works fine without interference from local distributors or collective collection societies music and movies which are licensed on a regional/national level don't work well at all music is easier to pull together but it's still only on a national level, I wont even be able to use Google Play for anything but the apps. Amazon hasn't pulled it off, Lovefilm offer streaming of some just 6000 titles for example.
Archos need to figure out their focus and they can be a productive player in the field. They seem to view them more like proper computing platforms but needs to do some own work to make that into at reality. ICS should help. I think they have MVA panels now with the G9-series, previously they where not WVA displays basically. €50 Euro 3G-"upgrade" with a stick and Linux kernel support is always a plus and helpful if one needs to add it when traveling or whatever, which can also be used with your laptop and so on. They styling seems to have become a little dated though. Would like them more minimalized and softer looking. They need to look over the software and content side of things, maybe also come with STB media playback solutions, or extend their tablets to properly function as that. Not just working a solution to play wares, but be a proper hub for multimedia, video etc and focus on quality and build of their products.
They might be early with ICS also, but it is still 4 months since the source released on 16 th Nov. They seems to hit most marks in terms of specs for me now, the do have wider viewing angles, pretty standard and up to date firmware/OS, good media playback and SoC platform, but bad availability and so on. So I might go with one of two the mayor Chinese manufacturers here if not the Kindle or Nook still. Huawei Mediapad is pretty well priced here in Sweden for example. Does have fairly high-res IPS screen, fairly well supported SoC-platform, 3G, cameras, BT, GPS, dual-core 1.2GHz Scorpion with 1GB ram, microSD, light weight and pretty much what you would expect. Doesn't really gravitate towards 10" or large tablets, I thought Galaxy tab 7.7 Plus with Exynos and Honeycomb was pretty much hitting the target. At least as consumer devices, otherwise I do like it when they develop products like Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, too bad on Tegra2 there though. Not too comfortable to go with players like Asus here.
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codedivine - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
While the OMAP 4430 is nice, I hear that these only have 512MB of RAM, and that is causing problems for some people. For example, applications sometimes get closed automatically and browser is not totally stable. Is this true? Any owners that can verify/debunk this?jamielawther - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
It does lag the occasional time, But its mainly smooth :) ICS is amazing on it, and works extremely well!Shadowmaster625 - Friday, March 9, 2012 - link
That is the last thing I want to deal with. On my crApple device, apps just close by themselves even when only one is running. Not even so much as a thank you for helping enrich the richest scam company in the world.gazza 68 - Sunday, March 11, 2012 - link
I have an archos G9 80 that I upgraded to ICS this week. ICS is very smooth and looks good when it works. I am constantly having to re-boot the system as it freezes and apps and internet close down for no reason. in addition when I re-boot it will take 10-12 reboots before it finally opens up. I regret upgrading to iCS as my tablet is now basically un-usable. Hope Archos gets it sorted soon.JKflipflop98 - Sunday, March 11, 2012 - link
I've heard you need to format then apply the upgrade.djc208 - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
I've been running CM9 Alpah on my TP, and it's much nicer than the Sense version of Gingerbread on my phone or CM7 on a tablet.But I guess it's proving to be a little harder to convert as even the CM guys are moving slower than they thought they would, though I will say the new Alpha 2 is pretty good. Biggest problem I have is it keeps dropping connection to my Google Calender.
I do like Archos though, expecially since they went away from the all propriatary and extra model. Hated being nickled and dimed over things it should have been able to do from the start.
Impulses - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
They certainly seem like a good deal, I've been envious of some of the recent tablet announcements but the tech lust is short lived as soon as I remember I paid just $300 for my ASUS Transformer more than six months ago (during the $100 off tablets Office Depot promo)... I honestly expected to see a lot more models at that price point by now (and thus, to regret my decision).Also, did I miss it or did Anandtech not make any kind of post on Pipeline when the original Transformer received ICS last week? ASUS has been very much on top of things when it comes to updates, they deserve some praise, tho having only two tablets to worry about certainly helps their cause... We'll see how they do with Jelly Bean and all the different variants they're launching this year.
aryonoco - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
I think there is a mistake here:"so performance should match the Galaxy Nexus, which also uses TI's OMAP4430"
IIRC the Galaxy Nexus uses the OMAP 4460. You probably meant to say that performance matches the RAZR as that uses a 4430 clocked at 1.2 Ghz?
JasonInofuentes - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
Spot on, fixing. Thanks.Jason
MrMilli - Friday, March 9, 2012 - link
True but the 4460 in the Nexus is clocked down on all fronts to around 4430 levels.Hrel - Thursday, March 8, 2012 - link
I really wish Archos made smart phones. Then, even if they did they'd have to be available on Virgin Mobile or it would do me no good.Rick83 - Friday, March 9, 2012 - link
and not just in European markets anymore.Even those run (at the moment) "only" on 512MB of RAM, but there's a rumor that a 1G version might spawn, to accompany pre-loaded with ICS retail versions.
Also of note: the ICS builds include drivers for USB-LAN adapters and 3D-Video, so using the g9 tablets as HTPC replacements is becoming ever more viable.
Also a note of caution: you will not get the same level of refinement as you will get from an iPad 2, from these devices. But you will get as good theoretical performance and (many) more features, for half the price. If you want to explore what is possible in the world of tablets, buying Archos is highly recommended. If you want something that "just works" and keeps on working, I would not commit to this. Also it doesn't give you that fuzzy "I helped Apple get filthy rich" feeling ;)
nismotigerwvu - Friday, March 9, 2012 - link
Version 4.0.4 - March 8th, 2012Initial Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 firmware release
MediaCenter Video: support for MKV3D on TV with automatic switch to best 3D mode
MediaCenter Video: allow to disable system notifications in video player
MediaCenter Video: collection of VOB files from DVD are now gathered into a single movie item
MediaCenter Music: integrate Music control panel in Lock Screen
MediaCenter info dialog: allow to edit the name used for performing the Movie and TVShow online search
File Manager: display a notification when file copy continues in background
File Manager: improved drag and drop support
File Manager: new option to prevent indexing of some storage/sdcard folders by multimedia library
Applications: more robust video conferencing support (Google talk, Skype etc.)
USB file transfer: a samba server is now activated on the tablet when using USB network tethering for easier file transfer on non Windows based hosts
Archos widgets: new USB network tether widget
External Keyboard: french layout has been expanded to handle AtlGr keys for special symbols
Accessories: Xbox gamepad support
Xbox gamepad support you say? SWEET!
Camikazi - Friday, March 9, 2012 - link
OMG Archos is not only updating their products but doing it ahead of many other companies? Have they changed so much form a few years ago?Penti - Monday, March 12, 2012 - link
Archos seems ok, but would love to see a device from them with a truly high-end IPS/PVA display. Like that they are Europeans with a slightly different take on things, view accessories slightly different and so on, and was a pioneer in the field. But they will never be a Kindle or iPad like business. They seem to have a pretty decent software and hardware platform to build on though. So they have to focus on hardware, software integration and external partners. They won't be the ones selling books, movies, apps and all to me, as the EU system won't really allow that, the ones owning movie rights in France aren't the same companies owning them in my country so it's hard to build services like that in Europe. Laws forbids us to do so even though all other services and goods move freely on the common market, some things are easier like apps, games and books, I can access 1 million books from the American Amazon site, but there is no such service serving the needs and languages of the many European states, things like Steam works fine without interference from local distributors or collective collection societies music and movies which are licensed on a regional/national level don't work well at all music is easier to pull together but it's still only on a national level, I wont even be able to use Google Play for anything but the apps. Amazon hasn't pulled it off, Lovefilm offer streaming of some just 6000 titles for example.Archos need to figure out their focus and they can be a productive player in the field. They seem to view them more like proper computing platforms but needs to do some own work to make that into at reality. ICS should help. I think they have MVA panels now with the G9-series, previously they where not WVA displays basically. €50 Euro 3G-"upgrade" with a stick and Linux kernel support is always a plus and helpful if one needs to add it when traveling or whatever, which can also be used with your laptop and so on. They styling seems to have become a little dated though. Would like them more minimalized and softer looking. They need to look over the software and content side of things, maybe also come with STB media playback solutions, or extend their tablets to properly function as that. Not just working a solution to play wares, but be a proper hub for multimedia, video etc and focus on quality and build of their products.
They might be early with ICS also, but it is still 4 months since the source released on 16 th Nov. They seems to hit most marks in terms of specs for me now, the do have wider viewing angles, pretty standard and up to date firmware/OS, good media playback and SoC platform, but bad availability and so on. So I might go with one of two the mayor Chinese manufacturers here if not the Kindle or Nook still. Huawei Mediapad is pretty well priced here in Sweden for example. Does have fairly high-res IPS screen, fairly well supported SoC-platform, 3G, cameras, BT, GPS, dual-core 1.2GHz Scorpion with 1GB ram, microSD, light weight and pretty much what you would expect. Doesn't really gravitate towards 10" or large tablets, I thought Galaxy tab 7.7 Plus with Exynos and Honeycomb was pretty much hitting the target. At least as consumer devices, otherwise I do like it when they develop products like Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, too bad on Tegra2 there though. Not too comfortable to go with players like Asus here.