Archos, which recently revealed its FroYo update timeline via Facebook, has held true to its word. As of today, anxious Archos internet tablet owners can get in on the Froyo goodness. For their price and functionality, the Archos line of internet tablets are an excellent option if you're in the market for an Android powered portable media player or tablet. I'm guilty of owning an aged iDevice from 2007, and I'm looking for any reason to ditch it for an Android PMP, and this FroYo update could be what it took for me to get on board with Archos.
FroYo brings quite an impressive list of improvements and enhancements to the Archos family. In addition to the infamous JIT compiler, Android 2.2.1 brings enhanced Microsoft Exchange support, better 3rd party application support, improved camera operation, faster USB transfer and more.
Hit the break for a full list of improvements. And of course, head into our tablet forums to share your thoughts. Let us know what you think of FroYo on your Archos tablet. [Archos.com]
- Higher performance: just in time compiler (JIT) technology makes applications run up to 5 times faster than previous Android "Eclair" 2.1 firmwares
- Enhanced Microsoft Exchange support: it is now possible to synchronize contacts and calendar events
- Allow to install more 3rd party applications by installing them on the storage memory (for applications that supports it)
- Video: movie information and cover retrieval in video file info dialog
- Multiple selection mode is now always enabled in the file manager
- External bluetooth GPS receivers are now supported
- Better assistance is provided in the tethering wizard to pair with cell phone using bluetooth DUN profile (smart APN detection)
- OpenVPN is now supported
- Slideshow support for network shares has been added to Gallery and Photoframe applications
- Photoframe: full screen picture can now be displayed on double tap when in floating image mode
- Manual white balance setting has been added in Camera application
- Faster USB write transfer
- Battery: more accurate battery charge estimation
- Audio: improved compatibility with android audio stream volume management (voice/music/ringtone etc.)
- Orientation: fixed compatibility issue with some applications working with inverted accelerometer axis
Reader comments
Archos family of internet tablets finally receives update to Android 2.2 Froyo
Does this have a capacitive screen?
Yes it does...and a nice one at that. My wife as the 70 and I am getting the 101. Great screens. (Not as good as the Galaxy Tab, but way more than for the money)
Not sure if it's capacitive, I was playing with the 7 inch one at Best Buy on Sunday and it wasn't as smooth as on my phone. If anyone has one of these, do tell if they are even worth getting. I'm tempted but want to hear people's experiences with them.
you were playing with the old Archos 7 IT, the new capacitive one is not at Best Buy and is the Archos 70
I'm more concerned with Market functionality. Will I finally be able to access the Google Marketplace without having to "tweak" the device?
Nope. You'll have to install the app market (as well as any other Google apps) yourself. Unfortunately, I do not know if the previously leaked apps will work with the new FroYo update. It's likely that you'll have to wait for a new .APK to be released.
Whatever Android tablet I get, I plan on flashing a custom ROM of some sort, which at this point seems to be pushing me toward the Viewsonic G tab. But I do like the Archos tablet as far as out-of-the-box product goes.
I have two Archos 70's coming in for my daughter and my son. I have a Viewsonic GTab running Cm 6.1 Beta 3 and I love it. Either is a good choice and you won't be disappointed.
Anyone have any idea how much RAM these come with (NOT internal flash storage)? I'm wondering because at some point devices with less than 512MB of RAM will not be able to upgrade to the latest version of Android (assuming that the device manufacturer will continue to support the devices that long). Of course, that doesn't cover the fact that OS's run better/faster with more available RAM.
256MB on the Archos 70, and probably on all the others as well. I wouldn't plan on these devices running some future version of Android. The previous-gen Archos tablets were never upgraded past 1.6, and I suspect that these will never make it past FroYo. Unfortunately, this is just the way it works with Android devices; if you want something up-to-date, you've either got to install custom ROMs, or buy a new device every 6 months.
I just installed the new firmware update on my Archos 43 and it does break the released Android Market .APK released earlier. Hope a new one will be released soon. I also hope to get root on it some time.
A new market apk hack is already out for the latest 2.2 firmware. I'm using it right now. One drawback is that not all apps are showing in the market like the 2.1 market apk hack.
I have not been able to fine any mention of GPS capabilities for these tablets. Can anyone verify if there is GPS or not?
I've got a Archos101 with Android 2.2 and there is no GPS. It uses WiFi to obtain your approximate location on Google Maps.
The Archos 101 worked ok, although my screen is damaged and the warranty does not cover it. The Archos tech also claims my unit had water damage. No i did not bathe with the Tablet, and it has not rained Texas in more than a month. In short you could not give me another Archos product.