Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 3.0 Honeycomb rumors and facts

[andrew.barr]

Regarding OpenCore->StageFright, this website says thus:

New media framework fully replaces OpenCore, maintaining all previous codec/container support for encoding and decoding.

It seems like these are release notes copied from, I would guess, some source tree or Google web page.

[Greg_e]

as for my opinion of Archos' interest in customer satisfaction, you are correct that that is my personal opinion after 4 RMAs and having to argue with them about every single one and argue about who's paying for shipping on every single one. My opinion is that 2 seconds after the gen 9 is ready to be released they will not be spending another dime on development for the gen 8.

I have to agree with everything quoted above, if the latest firmware doesn't continue to fix my issues I think it is time to get legal help involved.

[g-man]

Anyone see the Ice Cream Sandwich news? There is some mention that it will work on all Android devices going back to 1.6. It will be able to conform to the abilities of the device so that all deveices can be on the same OS. Now of course I am not sure whether or not this means that it will be availble for all devices or whether it will be incumbent on the manufacturer to push it out to all devices. It would be cool if this meant that by the end of the year we could all update to ICS!

[yup]

The Archos engineers cannot even optimize the current OS and we are talking gingerbread and android 3.0 ?

[Harfainx]

I need to ask, Yup are you just going to troll the forum complaining, or do you plan on adding something?

[4DThinker]

Now that Google announced Honeycomb 3.1 and Ice Cream Sandwich, I'd love to see an android version update. Hope Archos doesn't hold back just so they can sell more new models with it.

[exelletor]

Samsung gets his products updated(Gio, Fit, Ace, S and the Tab get the Gingerbread update in few days/weeks time). Come on, Archos, give us Gingerbread.

[4DThinker]

I've been playing with the Acer Iconia and Asus Transformer tablets, and am really enjoying the Honeycomb UI. I'd sure love to see that on my Archos 70/250.

[andrew.barr]

Samsung is an OHA licensee. That's why they get out updates so quickly. The downside to having a company (or a business unit of a company, whatever) that primarily manufactures cell phones also make tablets is that you're bound to get some of the down sides of cell phones in your tablet as well- primarily user restrictions and lockouts that, outside of the fact that they are not shipped rooted- something I do not believe to be a good idea- the Archos has very little of.

I am reminded of the reason I chose the Archos in the first place- tethering. The cellcos would much rather have a 3G modem integrated so that when you get it through them they can force the data plan on you. And don't think the cellcos aren't heavily involved with these manufacturers. Samsung and LG were, for many years, basically just a contract manufacturer for Verizon Wireless' massive domestic market. That's changed in recent years but I'm sure the vestiges of that relationship are still there.

Just like Acer and Asus were essentially fabricators for Microsoft's market for Windows. In the early days, Acer actually was a contract manufacturer for domestic PC brands. I guess my point is from an engineering standpoint I have little respect for these companies because they're relatively new at this. Their experience has been in churning out something someone else made by the millions.

Another thing to consider is that the Android tablet base is still very small compared to the existing base of Android 2.x smartphones, and still many applications do not work as expected (or at all) on the new version. It is theoretically backwards compatible and I'm sure the API is simply an evolution as before- but there's a vast chasm between those sorts of technical facts and the failure or success of user experience.

I remain unsold on Honeycomb but would like to see Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich or whatever fairly soon on Gen8.

[da1writer]

First let me say I love my Archos 70, now I only use my computer for file transfers and video editing. Though one thing Archos isn't best at is sound quality. I would not use my archos as a music player, not even if I was using the poweramp app, it just doesn't have the right sound components (not even a wolfson sound chip) or good sound enhancements. I use my Cowon J3 for my Saudi needs as that company specializes in audio, especially with it's bbe+ sound enhancements. Now what I'm getting at is Cowon its a somewhat well known company that it sold almost everywhere just like Archos. Heck Cowon even jumped into the android market with their D3 device. My point: The Cowon D3 got a Gingerbread update from their Eclair Firmware it wad using before todays update.

Where the Heck is Archos? Why is it taking so long to give us an update? I know the Gen 9 models are their priority right now, along with honeycomb but is the Gen 8 users going to be left out in the cold...

[my02vr6]

Where the Heck is Archos? Why is it taking so long to give us an update? I know the Gen 9 models are their priority right now, along with honeycomb but is the Gen 8 users going to be left out in the cold...

Is this your first time with Archos? Get used to being left behind when new ones are coming out.

[Harfainx]

Everyone complains about not getting updates, but then as soon as one comes out, everyone starts complaining again for the next update.

The Gen7 Archos 5 Internet Tablet got an update in APRIL of this year, and the Gen8 devices came out in FALL of last year. Do you honestly think Gen8 (probably their biggest selling generation EVER) will be dropped completely, before even the official announcement of Gen9 comes out? I don't think so.

[dlarkin_dc]

First let me say I love my Archos 70, now I only use my computer for file transfers and video editing. Though one thing Archos isn't best at is sound quality. I would not use my archos as a music player, not even if I was using the poweramp app, it just doesn't have the right sound components (not even a wolfson sound chip)...

I thought these do have Wolfsons...
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=73&p=296661

And is certainly sounds like they do to me. IME the output is the best (flat and balanced) I've heard, save a DSD source, through ss class a pre/class a amp.

[andrew.barr]

Everyone complains about not getting updates, but then as soon as one comes out, everyone starts complaining again for the next update.

The Gen7 Archos 5 Internet Tablet got an update in APRIL of this year, and the Gen8 devices came out in FALL of last year. Do you honestly think Gen8 (probably their biggest selling generation EVER) will be dropped completely, before even the official announcement of Gen9 comes out? I don't think so.

This is basically why I am surprised that Archos' staff post new f/w versions here. I can't really imagine they really read the "bug reports" in those threads, they're beyond useless for actually fixing bugs.

[da1writer]

First let me say I love my Archos 70, now I only use my computer for file transfers and video editing. Though one thing Archos isn't best at is sound quality. I would not use my archos as a music player, not even if I was using the poweramp app, it just doesn't have the right sound components (not even a wolfson sound chip)...

I thought these do have Wolfsons...
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=73&p=296661

And is certainly sounds like they do to me. IME the output is the best (flat and balanced) I've heard, save a DSD source, through ss class a pre/class a amp.

Apologies, I didn't know. I tried a blind test with sound on both devices and forgot I had my bbe+ on my Cowon. Cowons Bbe+ sound enhancements really makes my music sound much better. I really believe Archos should license the bbe studio for their sound on their Gen 9... Dream dream of course.

Still doesn't phase my reaction to updates... I hate going on engadget now and seeing such and such device has been upgrade to gingerbread or honeycomb. Guess I'll just be content for now until I get the Sony NGP as my replacement device... Aw well...

[Ach]

I hate going on engadget now and seeing such and such device has been upgrade to gingerbread or honeycomb. Guess I'll just be content for now until I get the Sony NGP as my replacement device... Aw well...

Haha I'm the same way lol, every time I see this or that device getting honeycomb its like a little sound in my head going "wok wok wok"

whatever I believe in Archos! The best is yet to come!

[joelo]

Archos 70IT is my first Android tablet. I treasure it. I hope it will be getting better.

[MikeeWeird]

Samsung is an OHA licensee. That's why they get out updates so quickly. The downside to having a company (or a business unit of a company, whatever) that primarily manufactures cell phones also make tablets is that you're bound to get some of the down sides of cell phones in your tablet as well- primarily user restrictions and lockouts that, outside of the fact that they are not shipped rooted- something I do not believe to be a good idea- the Archos has very little of.

I am reminded of the reason I chose the Archos in the first place- tethering. The cellcos would much rather have a 3G modem integrated so that when you get it through them they can force the data plan on you. And don't think the cellcos aren't heavily involved with these manufacturers. Samsung and LG were, for many years, basically just a contract manufacturer for Verizon Wireless' massive domestic market. That's changed in recent years but I'm sure the vestiges of that relationship are still there.

Just like Acer and Asus were essentially fabricators for Microsoft's market for Windows. In the early days, Acer actually was a contract manufacturer for domestic PC brands. I guess my point is from an engineering standpoint I have little respect for these companies because they're relatively new at this. Their experience has been in churning out something someone else made by the millions.

Another thing to consider is that the Android tablet base is still very small compared to the existing base of Android 2.x smartphones, and still many applications do not work as expected (or at all) on the new version. It is theoretically backwards compatible and I'm sure the API is simply an evolution as before- but there's a vast chasm between those sorts of technical facts and the failure or success of user experience.

I remain unsold on Honeycomb but would like to see Gingerbread or Ice Cream Sandwich or whatever fairly soon on Gen8.

Strange for my needs I chose a tablet that had 3g because you could get a contract and not have to tether.What country do you live in.
35 bucks a month for 5 gigs locked, no overage on a tablet plan is pretty good in Canada.Tether would cost a tethering fee and the data plans are 100 bucks for 3 gigs and Look out for overage FEES

[Harfainx]

I live in the US, and I tether my devices to my Sprint HTC EVO, for no charge.

Sprint actually just changed it's "Everything Plans" to unlimited data even over 3G (it used to be capped at 5GB/month), so now I don't even have to worry about using up my bandwidth while I'm out.

I will never buy a tablet on a contract, as it just doesn't make sense to me, but everyone has their own needs, and what is best for them.

[MikeeWeird]

I would not buy a contract phone or tablet.I did purchase my tab with no contract and used it as a wifi only device and now I have a month to month 3g bucket plan, 35 bucks for 5 g bucket fill or cancel anytime.One good part is that I can cancel seasonally ,on for the summer and off for the winter.

Wish I had unlimited plan likes yours though,lucky Puppy