But that was not so luckily. In short, the 7-inch Archos is really nothing wrong if one takes a bit of effort it. And about reading one comes not around. But the hardware actually feels pretty valent, the touch screen and the position sensor responding quite well and really serious bugs me not met.
Yes, quite the display reflects heavily and is also point of view depends - but even that remains at the upper end of the scale of what you would expect for this price. And that you do not have access to Android Market, may still be matter - but that you also have a device that due to the lack of binding to a "primary Google Account" to other Google services can not participate properly and on the also a number of third-party apps problems if they want synchronisiern data with Web services or other equipment.
Meanwhile the Frojo firmware has been well matured to the point with the state 2.3.26 of April 2011 and liberated by the thickest bugs that they can actually use. In its default configuration (with firmware version 2.3.6 in a that has been probably never published in this form to download), the first steps were very pleasing.
Anyway, went from the beginning not only the standard fare, but even very much of what I had been worried: Internet tethering with your phone via Bluetooth (Nokia C5-00) and WLAN (Samsung GT-8500 Wave) Access to SMB shares by Windows 7 (when you have not blocked there) - and not just with the media playback apps, but also with the included File Manager. Also to media on a DLNA server can be accessed easily and even HD movies up to 720p via WLAN device on stream, in Matroska container. This can hardly another Android device without contortions.
Nevertheless, I have only once set on the second day hands on the device and tidy. To the very clear: what I am describing now, would not be necessary per se. However, it has satisfied my playfulness and nachgerüstst what I was missing.
So, at first, formatted in the recovery mode, the device and installed the latest firmware fresh from the Web via USB. Here then all data stored, but also the original, provided by "third-party apps" lost because they are not included in the firmware file - but I knew that before, and I was the only right - I would go for the same purposes anyway each take other software and so remains an uninstallation of ballast saves.
Only drawback is just that one is indeed in demand during the first start after the flash process if you want to install these apps, although that is not feasible at the moment for lack of assets - but more on that there is neither an indication nor is the error text in any way and purposeful manner. If you want to have these apps anyway, you can of course download later from Archos FTP server or alternatively re-install via "Appslib", the Archos-own software market, for free. Only one reveals that neither the documentation nor the device itself.
If the layman can jump this hurdle, he is suddenly in front of another, possibly unexpected problem because of all the "Appslib" app also considered a third-party software and missing after flash also, so that you only times no access to any Market has more. Who does not know where he finds the right answers on the Web, there may already unnerved on at this point. However, one can imagine the most recent "Appslib" version with a few taps and the included browser of the page "[...]" pick and then you will be there again.
Next step: access to Google's Android Market (magic word: "gAppsInstaller_v5-final.apk") and the Gmail app retrofitted ("Gmail 2.3.4.1.apk").
The Android Market you get even with the app "Arctools" from the AppsLib store installed later, but in this variant the device then did not show in the list of devices in my Market account, although I was able to take advantage of all the functions from the unit. Something so there seems to be different than in the solution of the XDA-Developers.
In this state, the tablet was then the way I wanted it: freed from Ballst and with almost full-fledged access to official Market. Only almost, because due to lack of mobile part and the non-existing GPS receiver, at least not work a whole lot of apps on the paper with the small Archos and are therefore not even shown. But the great mass is present and can be installed or buy, so you quickly find the right tool for any purpose.
The hardware can handle even demanding games like Fruit Ninja and the Gameloft titles Dungeon Hunter HD and Uno. Light foods such as Angry Birds etc. running course anyway.
So what does not work with the device? You can not install permanent rooten because parts of the system are in the NAND and the root access will be gone after the next reboot. You can not outsource to the SD card's Apps, because that is the built-in 8 GB are already mounted as SD card. An additional inserted 32GB card is only suitable as a repository of information and media. And when the image output via HDMI on a big screen, the built-in display is still off and degenerates into a touchpad, though it just that would be extremely useful if you could still see the controls. With these restrictions, but I can live well.
My conclusion is ambivalent: I find the device for me absolutely useful and for my personal needs, it would have earned in this price-performance ratio actually 5 star. The media playback capabilities are even almost a unique selling point - because you realize that Archos comes from this market segment. I have certainly made friends in the past few days with the little thing and not give it to her.
On the other hand you have to deal quite extensively with the software installed, otherwise a part of the scope of services remain deprived - so it is for those people who have an aversion to apply to something even hand, a bit less useful. But even such people could be so happy, but probably would have their difficulties with too thin failed documentation and with illogical restore dialogs, so just when you need a little help most. Probably would be 3 stars for this clientele clearly more appropriate, makes an average so. 4
So much for that hardware. It remains to make a few thoughts to Android as such:
If one compares the total package of hardware, software and services, then Android falls currently facing Apple quite far back. Even absolute layman get from Cupertino systems into their own hands, in which everything is as a unified whole. Of course, one buys with a system which allows no interference, the user binds to iTunes and content providers gags.
Just as an "open" system would of course be an alternative - but the current state of things now run times not all Android applications on all Android devices, any Far Eastern companies can dahingeschluderten Hardware trash throwing on the market, there is only just over two years after the Start already marred jumble of different operating system versions and there is a lack not only the infrastructure for in-app sales, but that also equal a majority of such offers.
Perhaps we should not see it as negative: plugged in Android potential and new tablets like the Galaxy Tab 10.1 with custom software are a big step forward. However, such devices also no piece are cheaper than corresponding iPads namely partly offer superior hardware, but ill for the structural limitations of the "ecosystem" Android.
Therefore, I believe that not the upper class devices are fight the battle, but rather what. With significantly less expensive hardware that every penny is worth it, however, and let the user with enough time to make the software fit With devices that occupy niches and there are exactly right, where mobile phone displays are too small and too large iPads. And where the manufacturer polishes even months after the publication nor the firmware.
It is with such devices as this one.
