ArchosFans.com

Archos G9 Firmware 4.0.6 released

Charbax — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:49:27 +0000

Wi-Fi: fix more disconnect cases happening on some access points
GPS: increase stability of GPS
HDMI: do not propose overscan setting when TV supports underscan
muSD: improve reliability of card insertion detection
muSD: fix read/write permission issue occurring with some applications
Applications: fix platform reboot occurring sometimes after a while when using high CPU demanding applications

You can discuss this firmware in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=64804

Archos G11 release by end of year, include levitating robots

Charbax — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:58:43 +0000

Archos CEO Henri Crohas today announced that Archos plans to expand their product series with Gen11 to include levitating quad-copter robots with artificial intelligence. You can buy 4 of them in a $299 package, 2 of them can follow you around all day, filming you and the people that you interact with, streaming that video live to a Google+ Hangout with automatic multi-camera video-editing based on who is talking, automatically navigating around any obstacles that are in your environment, while the 2 other autonomous quad-copters re-charge on a specially designed backpack that you wear. He says Archos is the only company in Europe with the R&D skills to be able to make this vision happen, and that he believes Archos is forced to diversify even as their Tablet business is growing fast, Archos has the opportunity to invent new product categories. Archos G11 is going to be based on the 2Ghz dual-core OMAP5430 ARM Cortex-A15 processor, the quad-copting automates supplement the core of Gen11 which is going to be 5″, 7″, 8″, 9.7″, 10.1″ and 13.3″ Tablets that convert into Laptops with the thin $49 Keyboard dock (that doubles as a screen protector) multi-booting Android Jelly Bean, Chrome OS and Windows 8 as a $30 plug-in. Archos G11 also includes a $299 child-sized robot skew that can do your laundry, cook your food, wash your dishes, vacuum clean, clean your house and entertain your children. Archos G11 is also a $199 Android wrist watch with an advanced 2″ sunlight readable display. And it’s also a $149 unlocked 4.3″ qHD smartphone.

Archos G10 Extra Slim series includes 5″, 7″, 8″, 9.7″, 10.1″ ultra-slim 7.8mm tablets based on the 1.8Ghz dual-core OMAP4470 ARM Cortex-A9 and are going to be released in June.

I’ll bring you more updates on this news as they get posted in Paris.

You can discuss this news in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=64381

Archos 80/101 G9 1.5Ghz 1GB RAM with ICS pre-installed released in the USA!

Charbax — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:09:30 +0000

Here are the links to buy on Archos Store at the best price!

Archos 80 G9 1.5Ghz 1GB RAM ICS 8GB: Buy now, click for the best price (free shipping)
Archos 101 G9 1.5Ghz 1GB RAM ICS 8GB: Buy now, click for the best price (free shipping)
Archos 101 G9 1.5Ghz 1GB RAM ICS 250GB: Buy now, click for the best price (free shipping)

Archos 101 G9 Turbo 1.5Ghz for $259 on Woot.com today only

Charbax — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:21:28 +0000

Only today, the Archos 101 G9 Turbo 1.5Ghz is being sold for $259 at http://sellout.woot.com/

It’s basically better than the iPad3 and for half the price! Here are some of the reasons I think it’s better than the iPad3:

1.5Ghz ARM Cortex-A9 vs 1Ghz ARM Cortex-A9, Kick-stand, HDMI output, full sized USB-host port for 3G/4G/LTE dongle (for now only 3G is on the market for Europe/Asia), that full sized USB host can also be used for USB Keyboards/Mice/Hubs/Hard Drives etc, second USB-host through Micro-USB with adapter, Samba/Upnp file streaming, full codecs up to MKV 1080p high profile full bitrates with up to DTS audio (meaning any video you download from the Internet just works natively), Android is open unlike iOS (meaning you can install any app you want through any app store you want and customize the OS as you want, the 1280×800 10.1″ capacitive screen is decent although the next generation of 10.1″ 1920×1200 screens are coming (obviously for more expensive prices), etc.

Found via: carrypad.com

Archos G10 xs, Archos Elements and Arnova 50€ announced

Charbax — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:07:31 +0000

Archos had an investors event in Paris today, they showed a teaser video for the next generation Archos G10 xs series:

The keyboard dock magnetic screen protector is awesome. But I’d like them to use the kick-stand and attach the thin keyboard dock like a Laptop in a way there’s a mouse pad that can be used. Archos has always innovated using Kick-stands, I hope they continue and I think using the kick-stand is the best way to make the thinnest, coolest ARM Powered Tablet/Laptop convertible. If possible the kick-stand angle can be adjustable. If you’re in an airplane and the space is limited, you don’t need to use the kick-stand, the tablet can rest against the seat that is in front of you. I think the keyboard should also fit behind the tablet when the keyboard does not need to be used. Preferably in a way so that the kick-stand can also still be used even when the keyboard dock is magnetically fixed behind the tablet.

Archos claims to have technology that makes G10 the thinnest tablet on the market. Something about patented paper-thin steel assembly technology. Archos has always been good at fitting huge battery capacity in extremely thin designs. I hope that Archos manages to make a deal with Pixel Qi and use the 10.1″ 1280×800 sunlight readable screen on this one. That’d provide for 20+ hours of battery life, sunlight readability, Kindle Reader competitiveness for reading and use for education and work, and it’d use much less power thus enabling a form factor and weight in the ultra-light class of 400-something grams for a 10″ tablet. Perhaps best to use Neonode’s IR touch technology instead of capacitive for least reflections and best readability.

For the processor on Archos G10, I think that one can expect either the OMAP4470 1.8Ghz Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 with SGX544 graphics or even the OMAP5430 which can also run upwards 1.8Ghz or more. It depends if Archos plans to release the G10 mid-year or by the end of the year.

I don’t know if Archos will continue to sell that 3G Stick solution in G10. Maybe there is a way to allow for a modem module of any of the 3G/4G/LTE types to be manually added by the user, under full warranty, in some slot on the back of the device without it having to be through a USB host port. Maybe the multi-mode wireless modems are now so cheap, can even be included on the same CPU dye, that maybe they just included it by default even on the cheapest G10 tablet and provide just an unlocked SIM card slot on the side.

Archos did mention making one Windows 8 on ARM based Tablet/Laptop convertible by the end of the year. I hope they make sure to make it dual-boot the latest and greatest Android also.

Archos Elements brings Google Certified tablets at as low as 100€/$100. My guess is that Archos Elements brings the Rockchip RK30 Dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 performance and higher capacitive screen resolutions than Arnova at extremely competitive pricing.

The new Arnova with Ice Cream Sandwich are going to be sold for as little as 50€/$50 at retail price!! My guess is 50€/$50 is the 7″ WVGA Dual-touch or single-touch resistive type with an RK2918 512MB RAM and Ice Cream Sandwich. It goes up to 150€/$150 retail price for what I think is probably the 9.7″ IPS capacitive RK2918 1GB RAM and Ice Cream Sandwich tablet. Basically with the new upcoming Arnova G3/G4 you get $49 basic alternative to the Kindle Fire and a $149 better-than-iPad1 tablet. Those are amazing low-priced targets for mass consumer retail Ice Cream Sandwich tablet pricing.

Archos is the top Android tablet seller in the major European markets, about equal to Samsung, in front of Asus, Acer, Motorola, Dell, LG, Toshiba and others. Archos CEO Henri Crohas sees a great opportunity to expand that lead with his company. Archos has announced a 32.9 Million € gross profit margin for 2011 on a yearly revenue of 171.4 Million €. They have announced an agreement to borrow upwards tens of millions of Euros more from one of the leading French banks Societe Generale (in exchange for stock guarantees, probably something similar to a capital increase, basically adding new stocks for cash to be used for the expansion) which Archos can use to further accelerate the mass production and mass distribution of their tablet series in the coming months.

You can discuss this post in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=63964

Archos Teases G10 XS Tablet With Ultra-Thin Steel Chassis (techcrunch.com)
Archos will launch Gen10 premium tablets this year (liliputing.com)

Archos G9 ICS Firmware update released

Charbax — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:51:06 +0000

Archos now released the Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich firmware update on their website. Here’s some more information about the firmware update: http://store.archos.com/docs/Android%204%200%20Update%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

Download it at Archos.com

Here’s the changelog:

Version 4.0.4 – March 8th, 2012

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

You can discuss this firmware update in the forum: http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=84&t=63669

Archos sells more tablets than Asus and Acer, has Europe’s number one sub-400€ tablet market share

Charbax — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:07:58 +0000

Archos worldwide revenues increased 106% in 2011 compared to 2010. For the tablet sales in Europe, Archos is the second biggest tablet maker tied to Samsung. For the sub-400€ tablet market in Europe, Archos is the number one. Archos yearly tablet sales in Asia has exploded 464% going from 4,4M€ to 24,9M€ in revenue.

Think about it for a second. Archos is a 250-employee company based in Paris, and they are the European leader for the sub-400€ tablet market, they are virtually tied with the Samsung tablet sales in Europe and they are far in front of giants like Asus, Acer, Motorola, Toshiba, LG, Huawei, ZTE, HTC tablet sales in Europe.

Archos revenue from US sales “only” increased 57% year/year from 18,2M to 28,6M, my theory is because Archos has to prioritize where to spend their cash for production and distribution. Just as the Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy Note were released in Europe and Asia before the USA, Archos also has to choose to prioritize shipments to the European and Asian market, some markets also where Archos may be able to extract larger margins and satisfy resellers more evenly (a US reseller constantly having to be out of stock gets angry..). Over the past 3-4 months, monitoring the forums at http://forum.archosfans.com one can see hundreds of messages of American consumers being somewhat dissapointed not being able to buy the latest Archos G9 series of tablets, and due to Texas Instruments OMAP4460 1.5Ghz Processor being delayed, Archos can only really start shipping that promised 1.5Ghz tablet speed since recently. Also to consider, Archos has yet to annonce a 3G/4G/LTE USB Stick carrier for the US market, as the US market isn’t compatible with the rest of the worlds open unlocked 3G/HSPA+ SIM card USB stick system (I do believe some carrier, at least an MVNO should soon be allowing Archos provide a USB stick compatible with their network).

Consider this, Archos is a 250-employee company, with currently their record yearly revenue at 171,4 Million Euros ($224.669 Million). Apple has 60400 employees and a 2011 revenue of $108.249 billion. That means Archos makes 481 times less revenue than Apple. Yet, Archos manages to be second largest tablet seller in Europe behind Apple and tied with Samsung.

My theory is that if/when a company like Archos can get access to more cash, they can increase the mass production of their products and I think Archos has no problems selling out of all of their inventory, pretty much regardless of the worldwide region.

The Android tablet market has exploded in 2011. I believe the daily Android tablets activations worldwide has now overtaken the iPad2. The regular stack of analysts will only demonstrate that when they estimate Q1 2012 tablet sales in early April. I base my estimation on the fact most major latest Android tablets were released not before December 2011 (Archos G9, Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet, Motorola XyBoard, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, etc), thus counting since December 2011 (and not October 2011 as the latest analysts have) positions Android tablets even more favorably against the iPad2.

With excellent value for money in Archos ICS-capable tablets, such as the $279 Archos 101 G9 Turbo 1.5Ghz, the $229 Arnova 9 G2, the Archos 70b Internet Tablet and the $149 Arnova 7b G2, all of them imminently fully running Ice Cream Sandwich, I believe Archos is well positioned to continue their growth in tablet market share. It’d be awesome to see Archos find the time to also provide an OMAP4460 1.5Ghz 7″ Kindle Fire killer (at around $249) and a 5″ Galaxy Note killer (at around $199) tablet with USB 3G/4G/LTE stick support as my favorite tablet sizes are 7″ jacket pocket sized and 5″ pants pocket sized.

Revenue for the fourth trimester 2011

In M€ non audited	Q4 2011	Q4 2010	Var (M€)	Var (%)
EUROPE	46,3	24,6	21,7	88%
ASIA	8,7	2,2	6,5	300%
USA	10,2	8,8	1,3	15%
TOTAL	65,2	35,6	29,6	83%

Total revenue for 2011

In M€ non audited	2011	2010	Var (M€)	Var (%)
EUROPE	117,9	60,7	57,2	94%
ASIA	24,9	4,4	20,5	464%
USA	28,6	18,2	10,4	57%
TOTAL	171,4	83,3	88,1	106%

Yearly revenue (Million €)

2009 : 57,9 ($76M)
2010 : 83,3 ($109.5M)
2011 : 171,4 ($224.7M)

Source: Archos Q4 2011 earnings press release on abcbourse.com and investir.fr

Archos 101 G9 Turbo 1.5Ghz for $279 at Woot.com today

Charbax — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:37:44 +0000

It’s basically as powerful (or more powerful) than a Tegra3 tablet, but at nearly half the price. The normal MSRP price is $399 so this is a good deal! It’ll support Ice Cream Sandwich through an official firmware update probably coming later this month. Support for US-compatible 3G/4G/LTE USB sticks is probably also likely to soon be announced.

Check it out at http://www.woot.com/

Found via: androidpolice.com

Arnova 7c G2 sold for 80£ in the UK, 7″ capacitive unlocked 3G HSPA+ inside

Charbax — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:27:40 +0000

The new Arnova 7c G2 has been released. It’s being sold for 80£ at Carphonewarehouse.com with an unlocked, no-contract 3G SIM card slot. It’s a 7″ 800×480 capacitive screen, the MSM7227 800Mhz ARM11 processor that can run Gingerbread now, ICS possibly soon, with the Adreno 200 graphics that supports most Android 3D games today.

Some other specs:
- 4GB internal storage, expandable with microSDHC cards
- Dimensions: 195 mm x 118 mm x 14.1 mm
- Weight: 490 g
- WiFi, Bluetooth, micro USB 2.0 slave port, microSD slot, front facing camera, G-sensor, microphone, built-in speaker, GPS

Behind the scenes at the Archos Headquarters (French video)

Charbax — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:42:37 +0000

French TV channel BVMTV did this 1-minute French video at the Archos headquarters showing a few seconds of Archos engineers working on source code, on PCB design, on choosing screens, doing industrial designs and more.