5th Generation - Pre Launch Rumours/Discussion
5th Generation - Pre Launch Rumours/Discussion
Check out my latest news post at http://archosfans.com/2007/04/18/archos ... e-in-june/
Any idea of what they will be like? I own a PSP and a Sandisk Sansa e250(MP3) but I desperately want an Archos. My only hesitation has been the slow internet and PDF access. Coupled with the fear of buying and then a few weeks later what I want arrives on the scene. I want to buy when it first comes out and ride the product life cycle from the top to the bottom.
Glad I was directed to this post. I made another earlier in the day asking if anyone knew of the 'cycle' Archos was on as far as a new introduction. I have currently in my possession an Archos 404 which I have not opened yet. I will take it back and wait for Generation 5 products. I have currently set aside about $450.00 I may stash away another $100 and be prepared for what Archos may bring.
I hope it has the capability of VOIP just to give the iPhone some trouble. It has to have something special or I am afraid the iPhone will rule the day.
Glad I was directed to this post. I made another earlier in the day asking if anyone knew of the 'cycle' Archos was on as far as a new introduction. I have currently in my possession an Archos 404 which I have not opened yet. I will take it back and wait for Generation 5 products. I have currently set aside about $450.00 I may stash away another $100 and be prepared for what Archos may bring.
I hope it has the capability of VOIP just to give the iPhone some trouble. It has to have something special or I am afraid the iPhone will rule the day.
Archos has said that they will not produce an Archos phone and that they are happy that Apple has chosen to put their whole R&D into making an iPhone which basically sucks compared to what Nokia and Motorola and others have on the market (no 3G, no 3.5G, no battery life, buggy to use probably, very expensive and locked down).
Archos really wants to provide portable video-on-demand using Wi-Fi and soon enough also using HSDPA (up to 3.6mbit/s download speed over the 3G network, thus enough for country-wide DVD quality video-on-demand streaming together with good HSDPA-data subscription prices of like 20Ôé¼ per 10GB/month like there is in Denmark with http://3.dk).
The 4G came in September 2006 I think, yes it seems Archos is now able to develop and release new generations faster, that comes with their experience in this industry developping and releasing generations and innovating in many product categories.
What I think we can expect from the 5G is to have VOD over Wi-Fi and maybe also HSDPA, IPTV from ADSL or hotspots (with partnership with hotspot providers) that connect on several channels of digital tv, flash video I think we can expect has now been made to work possibly with an awesome full screen flash video playback streaming of youtube, google video and other flash video portals. As for VOIP and bluetooth for wireless keyboard and headset, maybe, but I guess that Skype-like and chat-IM functions are not first priority for the 5G, most important is to make the VOD over Wi-Fi and maybe also HSDPA work. This means Archos needs to provide a new mobile-VOD DRM system that can handle one-click purchase of videos from mobile-VOD compatible VOD stores (compatible in terms of bandwidth-on-demand, resolution and bitrate suitable for on-the-go download or streaming and compatible in terms of the Interface for the VOD store to be viewable and browsable comfortably on the pocket screen product). Also it should support subscription VOD services, meaning that for a fixed monthly fee you might have unlimited access to TV shows and other videos from certain content providers like a TV channel like french TF1 with whome Archos has made a deal. I would think that a 5Ôé¼ per month or 10Ôé¼ per month subscription to get unlimitted access to TF1's complete catalog of TV shows directly by streaming, downloading or progressive downloading using Wi-Fi hotspots without the need of a computer, a set-top-box or a TV, I think that kind of service could become very popular and upon the confirmation of consumer demand for this service it could possibly be able to provide subsidized 5G.
Archos really wants to provide portable video-on-demand using Wi-Fi and soon enough also using HSDPA (up to 3.6mbit/s download speed over the 3G network, thus enough for country-wide DVD quality video-on-demand streaming together with good HSDPA-data subscription prices of like 20Ôé¼ per 10GB/month like there is in Denmark with http://3.dk).
The 4G came in September 2006 I think, yes it seems Archos is now able to develop and release new generations faster, that comes with their experience in this industry developping and releasing generations and innovating in many product categories.
What I think we can expect from the 5G is to have VOD over Wi-Fi and maybe also HSDPA, IPTV from ADSL or hotspots (with partnership with hotspot providers) that connect on several channels of digital tv, flash video I think we can expect has now been made to work possibly with an awesome full screen flash video playback streaming of youtube, google video and other flash video portals. As for VOIP and bluetooth for wireless keyboard and headset, maybe, but I guess that Skype-like and chat-IM functions are not first priority for the 5G, most important is to make the VOD over Wi-Fi and maybe also HSDPA work. This means Archos needs to provide a new mobile-VOD DRM system that can handle one-click purchase of videos from mobile-VOD compatible VOD stores (compatible in terms of bandwidth-on-demand, resolution and bitrate suitable for on-the-go download or streaming and compatible in terms of the Interface for the VOD store to be viewable and browsable comfortably on the pocket screen product). Also it should support subscription VOD services, meaning that for a fixed monthly fee you might have unlimited access to TV shows and other videos from certain content providers like a TV channel like french TF1 with whome Archos has made a deal. I would think that a 5Ôé¼ per month or 10Ôé¼ per month subscription to get unlimitted access to TF1's complete catalog of TV shows directly by streaming, downloading or progressive downloading using Wi-Fi hotspots without the need of a computer, a set-top-box or a TV, I think that kind of service could become very popular and upon the confirmation of consumer demand for this service it could possibly be able to provide subsidized 5G.
Comments about VOIP with 604/704 wifi and Gen5
I bet that in fact June's launch in reality becomes something like late July or even September (nothing happens in France during August as half the country is on holiday - in my experience when I worked there!). My hunch is that saying it will be June is nothing more than a marketing ploy.... because that's exactly when one of the main potential competitors (Cowan Q5) is supposed to drop. I stress...no facts behind this, just my intuition.
One other thing concerning hcforde's comments about VOIP. I think Archos have given a pretty strong hint in this recent Gen 5 announcement that they are NOT going to go down the "one gadget does everything including phone capabilities" route but more the "Web access and easy TV/video access without a PC niche" (the latter being the niche they more or less created and obviously this would play to their strengths).
So I think very unlikely Gen 5 will have a "built in" phone. Apple and the hordes of others will scramble for that niche!!!
However, whether or not Gen 4 and 5 will allow USP plug in Skype type phones I've no idea but I saw one post (yesterday I think) asking if this works with Gen 4 604wifi (e.g. with docking adapter), or it might have been 704wifi. Anyone know if VOIP can be made to work on these Gen 4's? I'm sure someone out there must have tried it already or knows a reason why it can't ! Let us know. Apologies if this has been discussed already on this site.
One other thing concerning hcforde's comments about VOIP. I think Archos have given a pretty strong hint in this recent Gen 5 announcement that they are NOT going to go down the "one gadget does everything including phone capabilities" route but more the "Web access and easy TV/video access without a PC niche" (the latter being the niche they more or less created and obviously this would play to their strengths).
So I think very unlikely Gen 5 will have a "built in" phone. Apple and the hordes of others will scramble for that niche!!!
However, whether or not Gen 4 and 5 will allow USP plug in Skype type phones I've no idea but I saw one post (yesterday I think) asking if this works with Gen 4 604wifi (e.g. with docking adapter), or it might have been 704wifi. Anyone know if VOIP can be made to work on these Gen 4's? I'm sure someone out there must have tried it already or knows a reason why it can't ! Let us know. Apologies if this has been discussed already on this site.
Andy W
Re: Comments about VOIP with 604/704 wifi and Gen5
On a roadmap from archos we saw, not long ago, a mention to GPS. I suppose they will include that in G5. That alone would be a fairly good reason to upgrade from G4....the Cowon will offer it as well so i bet that Archos will have some external add-on with GPS.
Charbax wrote:June is the release of the iPhone, that's also why Archos needs the 5G to be ready by then. So that all the unsatisfaction over the iPhone can come over to get the 5G.
i wonder does it has anything to do with the cowon q5 officially coming to eu/us?
and archos then realising they have serious competition, apple & cowon
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-med ... 250553.php
the only way archos could keep me from buying the q5 is if they made the q5 spec for spec, and then took 1.8" of the screen thus making it very portable iindeed (504's beggining to be a bit big to carry around in my pocket all day).
sign here
I don't think Q5 has any particular influence on Archos strategy. Q5 is really not good, I have tried a prototype you can see my video at http://ces2007.video-blog.eubirdman wrote:i wonder does it has anything to do with the cowon q5 officially coming to eu/us?
Q5 is really bad, it running AMD Alchemy processor and Windows CE makes it outdated before it's even released, plus more.birdman wrote: the only way archos could keep me from buying the q5 is if they made the q5 spec for spec, and then took 1.8" of the screen thus making it very portable iindeed
If you think the 504 is bulky, then Q5 is even much worse. Q5 is huge, heavy and the 5" screen I saw on a prototype is not very good.birdman wrote: (504's beggining to be a bit big to carry around in my pocket all day).
hmmmm......... i watched that video before, pity the wifi couldn't work,
still i never buy a product before reading a few reviews ang getting detailed info.
thanks for the warning anyway. do you have any info on the gen5?
hope your not being a bit biaist :lol:
p.s i doubht that the iphone will be a hit, it'll be like Ôé¼2000 if an unlocked veresion ever came out :shock:
still i never buy a product before reading a few reviews ang getting detailed info.
thanks for the warning anyway. do you have any info on the gen5?
hope your not being a bit biaist :lol:
p.s i doubht that the iphone will be a hit, it'll be like Ôé¼2000 if an unlocked veresion ever came out :shock:
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Branchedout
- Archos Novice
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:38 am
Oh man...
I've been saving up for a 504 (which hasn't gone anywhere really. Don't have a job yet...)
If it had GPS capabilities, I'd spaz. I'll be beggining to drive, and I'm at the least terrible with remembering where I am.
Archos, you tricky dog, you.
I just hope it's affordable like the '04. Newegg's gettin' reeeeal nice.
I've been saving up for a 504 (which hasn't gone anywhere really. Don't have a job yet...)
If it had GPS capabilities, I'd spaz. I'll be beggining to drive, and I'm at the least terrible with remembering where I am.
Archos, you tricky dog, you.
I just hope it's affordable like the '04. Newegg's gettin' reeeeal nice.
Gen 5 and Gen 4 Adapters Should Be Same
Having just placed an order for a DVR station for my 604wifi a thought occurred to me. There should be NO REASON why the new Gen 5's should not fit the same adapters as Gen 4's (Docking/Travel/DVR - the Gen 5's may off course need to come with a different "saddle" for the DVR station..... but that's a 5 pence piece of plastic.), i.e. backwards compatibility with these (in IMHO overpriced) accessories.
If their Marketing people dictate a different approach then "I predict a riot" (to quote Kaiser Chiefs.)
Archos, we're watching you.......
If their Marketing people dictate a different approach then "I predict a riot" (to quote Kaiser Chiefs.)
Archos, we're watching you.......
Andy W
Gen 5 Functionality
Just got this off the French Archos Forum site. I don't know how "official" this is and my French is worse than it used to be so have Google Translated it. There is also a picture showing the various features Gen 5 will have but it's not very clear - it's in the second link below and reproduced here also. Exciting stuff!!!!!! Assuming it's real and not a spoof!...the comments are quite scathing/questioning and one asks what happened to HSDPA and it's obviously a Gen 4 that's shown but I guess we won't see any Gen 5 pictures until June 14th anyway. If we knew the source of this document I'd feel happier. 
Translated text below:
"This document allow us to project ourselves on the functionalities of the 5G. After having had the confirmation that all the range will be Wifi, the possibilities extend. The upload would be from now on possible, one could send vid├®os on Youtube (the flash would be supported), or deposit photographs on Flickr. Telephony and videos by IP will be also of the part what to make walkman a genuine communicating apparatus. A partnership with BitTorent seems open. It would be a question of remote loading of vid├®os, probably in a legal way. In short, this new range should really innovate. There is not any more but to wait on June 14."
http://www.boursorama.com/forum/message ... ageForum=1
http://www.archoslounge.net/Cinquieme-g ... Flash.html
Translated text below:"This document allow us to project ourselves on the functionalities of the 5G. After having had the confirmation that all the range will be Wifi, the possibilities extend. The upload would be from now on possible, one could send vid├®os on Youtube (the flash would be supported), or deposit photographs on Flickr. Telephony and videos by IP will be also of the part what to make walkman a genuine communicating apparatus. A partnership with BitTorent seems open. It would be a question of remote loading of vid├®os, probably in a legal way. In short, this new range should really innovate. There is not any more but to wait on June 14."
http://www.boursorama.com/forum/message ... ageForum=1
http://www.archoslounge.net/Cinquieme-g ... Flash.html
Andy W
Yes, but in the gadget world even 9 months is a long time (look at the rate new mobile phones appear!). Also, read Charbax's comments on the other recent Gen 5 thread...this document was in fact issued way back in 2006 (to financial people) and the features it outlines may or may not be present from day 1 on a Gen 5. In my view, it's really just trying to outline the strategic direction Archos would like to go....even if engadget think it's the full Gen 5 feature set, they and we don't know for sure. We'll just have to wait until June 14th (or leaks before then!)
Link to the recently added parallel thread on Gen 5 below.
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=4479
Link to the recently added parallel thread on Gen 5 below.
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=4479
Andy W
I think this document was released recently by Archos with their complete 2006 financial results, which they released in the beginning of May. So this document is recent.. There might be some other clues in it about the 5G among the 230 or so pages of that document, but I haven't had time to look through it extensively yet.