smartech

Today, after months of speculations, Archos has finally met the expectations and released firmware update 2.0.10 that includes:

• WebTV and Radio (with optional Plug-in).
• GPS (with optional car cradle).
• Alarm Clock.
• Flash 9 support.

There’s no doubt that among the new features above, the most juicy newsworthy one is the Flash 9, which places Archos PMPs at the top of the players and the only ones to support flash 9. The new release enables Archos users to surf the internet seamlessly, without having to miss any web details or applications, as the tendency points to built-in flash 8/9 web services. The new firmware is available to download here, check out the videos after the break.

[via Archos]

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Big day for Archos, as the company has launched its new GPS device for the Archos 605 player, coming with maps of 22 European countries and equipped with lots of road and traffic services. In addition, Archos has launched 2 revolutionary plugins for the 605 devices, the first is the WebTV & Radio which enables wide variety of TV channels and radio stations, live via WiFi connection on the internet, thanks to a team up with TV Tuner. This plugin is available to purchase from Archos website for $19.99. The second plugin is the TV Portation which enables Archos TV+ owners to stream TV shows, directly from the living room into the Archos 605 PMP, wherever they are, on the go, which turns the TV+ device into a streaming media server, similar to the Sling box. This plugin will be available to purchase from Archos website next month for $49.99, but if you have a registered TV+ device it will be available for free.

Update 1: It will also feature full support for Flash 9 and WMV9 formats, free of charge, at the next firmware update, coming up next month.

Update 2: Check out the plugins demo videos after the break.

[via Archos]

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Archos announces the release of a new GPS navigation device for its fifth generation PMPs. Equipped with an integrated SiRF Star III chip, the new in-car GPS cradle turns your entertainment 605 player into a full-fledged navigation system, by simply snapping the Archos into the GPS In-Car Holder, which is connected to the car windshield. By doing so, you get an intuitive interface that allows you to easily pick any address, remarkable location or point of interest and find the best way to get there, with a full voice and video navigation system, presenting the sharp, precise and fast solution. The new system provides any road info you want, including traffic assistance, route planning, tunnel simulation, radar locations and even speed control assistance in some countries. The ARCHOS GPS In-Car Holder is compatible with any Archos 605 player and will cost you only $129.99. You can also buy this GPS device bundled with a 30GB Archos 605 player, for $399.99. Both packages will be available in May 2008.

Update: Check out the video preview after the break.

[via Archos]

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Police motorcyclists squad from Magdalena Colombia, really like the Archos media players, specially the ability to film and record felonies during their ride. The Archos device is their daily instrument to enforce the law, as they attach the camcorder to their helmet, connect it to the media player and go out the roads to catch the criminals. One thing though, someone should tip them there’s a new series of Archos players, its the fifth generation lineup, so they should update their stocks, i’m sure they’ll get a good price. Check the video after the break (in Spanish).

[via ArchosLounge]

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The guys at Megawhat.tv have decided to make a comparison between the two leading multimedia boxes, the Archos TV+ and the Apple TV. This head to head video, examine both devices on different categories such as movies, photos, music, streaming, outputs, inputs, GUI and more. The results are not conclusive and pretty much let you decide for yourself, according to your personal needs and flavors. Personally i prefer Apple’s GUI but reluctant with their format limitations. On the other hand, i do like the Archos TV+ and the ability to connect any box into it, so for me the best would probably be - Archapple TV. Check out the video here.

[via ArchosLounge]

Audio, Video, WiFi, internet surfing, today’s mega gadgets are not just a simple player, they are all-in-one devices, cramming advanced multimedia features into a relatively small box. Cnet has decided to make a comparison duel between top 2 mega PMP players, the Archos 705 and the Cowon Q5W, in order to determine which device is the one true king of the non-pocketable media players. Cnet has gathered three gadgets experts to judge both devices according to 5 categories: Navigation, Sexiness, Compatibility, Sound and Science, Wallet Factor. The results are as plain as the nose on one’s face, Archos 705 is the undoubtable winner, collecting 56 points against 50 of the Q5W. Check the full details here.

[via Cnet]

Maxian unveils the E900W PMP at the CeBIT show in Hannover. This new advanced device sports a wide 4.3-inch WVGA touchscreen (800 x 480), 30GB storage size, SD/MMC card slot, 9 EQ and a USB 2.0 connection with ActiveSync support. It is compatible with video codecs as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Divx3 11/4x/5x/6x, Xvid, MPEG-4, ASP, WMV 7/8/9 H.264, audio formats like MP3, WMA, OGG, PCM AAC, Dolby Digital AC3 5.1 surround and even DTS, thanks to the SPDIF output. Image formats include JPEG BMP, GIF, TIF PNG, TXT, PDF and PPT. In addition, it runs windows CE 5.0 and houses a WiFi connection to surf the net. Mind you, the E900W is equipped with a Texas Instrument Davinci chip which supports HD format and can be found in Cowon A3 and Archos 605 PMPs. Although there is no word on price or availability I’m very impressed with the E900W and hope it will hit western shores.

[via aving]

Archos launches a new pack of 4 games for the Archos 605, 705 media players and the TV+ recorder. The new games include Reversi, Brix Fusion, Captain Ozone and Video Poker. The new pack joins the previous eight games release and priced at 10$.

[via Archos]

Archos released an upgraded version for the 405 PMPs. The new model features 30GB hard drive storage instead of the previous flash memory, 3.5” TFT screen 16M colors, a microphone, ext. speaker, TV output and more. Archos removed the previous SD / SDHC slot configuration and fixed the price on 290$ (€199). The new 405 is expected to be available immediately in Europe.

[via archoslounge]

Archos released the Archos TV+, a stationary version of its Archos 605 portable media player. The TV+ is the first WiFi Digital Video Recorder that comes in 80GB or 250GB storage capacities. With the Archos TV+ you can schedule, record and stream content whenever you want, threw your WiFi network. You can watch your favorite stored movies, listen to your music and flip between your last vacation photos, in a simple push of a button, from the living room couch. The device comes with a cool QWERTY remote, for a full control of the UI and the web surfing (thanks to the touch pad). It supports a video on-demand service, so you can order your favorite movies from CinemaNow, or watch any video threw one of the video web services such as YouTube, DailyMotion and others. The TV+ has a USB 2.0 host, for an easy and direct access to your digital camera photos or your portable media player movies. In addition, it has an HDMI output, so you can plug it to your advanced LCD TV and watch high resolution movies. You can get one for $229 (80GB) or $349 (250GB).

More pictures after the break.

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Generationmp3 have decided to rank 12 media players according to their audio caliber. As you all know, the quality of  the sound and the audio level are subjective matters, so you can agree or disagree with their determination. Personally, i give them the credit and agree with their ranking. After variety of tests and debates, here is the grading table:

[via gmp3]

The 2 years partnership between Archos and Echostar, just answered a bill this week. Dish Network customers can transfer their favorite movies, shows and TV programs, directly from their Dish receiver to their Archos players, in record time or faster, thanks to a new Archos designated plugin. To do so, you have to be a Dish Network subscriber with a VIP722 or VIP622, and own Archos 605 or 705 multimedia player. This exciting connection enables to transfer content faster than real time, and take it to wherever you like.

[via ArchosLounge]

Following the Archos 605 Charlie Chaplin bundle, Archos signed on a new partnership with Warner Bros Entertainment, to distribute Harry Potter films threw its Archos 605 WiFi players. The new package is expected to be available around xmas time.

The Archos 605 Harry Potter limited edition will be equipped with 20GB of storage and the first 4 Harry Potter films:

1. Harry Potter and the School of wizards.

2. Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets.

3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban.

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.

The fifth Harry Potter film, The Order Of The Phoenix, will be available to download threw Archos Content Portal.

Price is set to 279.99 €.

[via ArchosLounge]

Last week, Archos finally released the promised widgets pack for the 605 and the 705 PMP players. All you have to do is to download the widgets for free from Archos web site or threw your Archos WiFi connection. Most of the new plugs are designed for the Opera web browser plugin (which costs 30$), but there are some extra flash plugins, available in the Opera web site, and can be used without the browser.

In addition, Archos revealed 8 new, flash based games, divided to 2 packs of 4, with the price tag of 10$ each. We find those games to be unattractive (except the Poker), specially with the fact that you can find many of those available for free.

[via gmp3]

After long expectations and tons of speculations, the new line of PMP players, from Cowon, is going live in the US next week. The players are well equipped and Cowon squeezed into the A3 and Q5W almost every known audio and video formats, to increase the competition with the high rated Archos 605 players.

Cowon A3
This player is a successor of the legendary A2 player from Cowon. The new A3 looks pretty much the same as the old one but the 4″ screen supports a much better resolution - 800 x 480, with 16 million colors. Here are some more details:

• Display: 4″ TFT LCD 16:9, 16M colors, 800 x 480.
• Storage size: 30GB ($349), 60GB ($399).
• Audio: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, M4A, MKA, TTA, APE, WAV, MPC, WV, AC3.
• Video: AVI, DivX, Xvid, SF, WMV, MPG, MP4, MPEG-4, M-JPEG, DAT, MKV, VOB, OGM, MTV.
• Outputs: Component, Composite, S-video, microphone, ext. speakers, USB Host 2.0, TV out and more.
• Pictures: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TXT.

Cowon Q5W

This multimedia machine makes a huge interest and will compete head to head with the new Archos 605 players. Here are some more details:

• Display: 5″ TFT LCD 16:9, 16.7M colors, 800 x 480.
• Storage size: 40GB ($549), 60GB ($599).
• OS: Windows CE 5.0 Professional.
• Processor: AMD Alchemy AU1200 @ 500Mhz.
• Audio: MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, M4A, MKA, TTA, APE, WAV, MPC, WV, AC3.
• Video: AVI, DivX, Xvid, SF, WMV, MPG, MP4, MPEG-4, M-JPEG, DAT, MKV, VOB, OGM, MTV.
• Outputs: Component, Composite, S-video, microphone, ext. stereo speakers, USB Host 2.0, TV out and many more. The Q5W also supports Bluetooth, WiFi for internet surfing, GPS (in a special designated Q5 NAVI device).
• Pictures: JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF, TXT.
• Battery life: 13h - audio, 7h - video.

[via engadget]