RSS Feeds
Portable
Archos Updates the 605 Wi-Fi With GPS, Mobile TV and Flash Video
Posted by Sean Fallon at 6:45 AM on April 23, 2008
The 605 WiFi PMP was cool and all, but it has been given new life thanks to an add-on that delivers driving directions and free or paid traffic notification in addition to its normal media functions. The system is even sophisticated enough to simulate position changes in the event that a signal is lost. There is also a new Web TV and Radio plugin that will give users access more than 9,600 Web radio stations, 600 Web TV stations and 110,000 podcasts streamed live over the Internet. It will also feature full support for Adobe Flash 9 and WMV9.Update: Some new info about streaming TV and a movie deal with Paramount.
Expect a 30GB version of the 605 Wi-Fi with the GPS receiver in May for US$400. If you currently own a 605 WiFi, you can pick up the navigation add-on separately for US$130. The Web TV and radio plugin will also be available next month for the 605, 705 and ARCHOS TV+models as a US$19.99 download. Speaking of the TV+ device, it will get a separate TVportation upgrade that will let users watch their home TV anywhere—similar to the Slingbox. TVportation will be available for US$49.99 (or free if the device is registered to the Archos website). Right now, it'll work with laptops and Archos 605 and 705s, with Windows Mobile support launching soon, and Symbian shortly thereafter. As for the Flash 9 and WMV9 capability, you can enjoy that free of charge when the firmware update is released.
Finally, Archos has struck up a deal with Paramount to pre-load movies on its TV+ devices. The box still be stocked with about 50 flicks, but you've still gotta purchase them—the idea is instant VOD, not giving you free shit. They've got a total catalog of about 250 in the pipe, and they're working on deals with other content providers. Oh, and it's still all in standard def.
From the press release:
ARCHOS Introduces GPS, Mobile TV, and Flash Video for Portable Players[Archos and Electronista]ARCHOS announced today several new ways to move your media from the home, to the road, in the car and beyond, with services that are unseen in any other portable media player.
Announced today at media events in New York and Paris, new ARCHOS products let you watch live TV on smartphones, laptops and ARCHOS portable devices wherever you go; stream favourite TV and radio shows from the Web for free; and help you get to where you're going with GPS navigation, and then entertain you once you arrive.
Turn Your ARCHOS Portable Media Player Into a Mobile TV
The new TVportation feature lets consumers watch their home live TV wherever they go using the ARCHOS TV+ as a streaming media server. Consumers can now watch their favourite shows live on their ARCHOS 605 and 705 WiFi portable players, smartphones, and laptops, giving them the freedom to watch TV anywhere.Need Some Direction? ARCHOS Introduces GPS
The new ARCHOS GPS In-Car Holder turns the award-winning ARCHOS 605 WiFi portable player into a full-fledged navigation system. With more than 50 times the hard drive size, twice the screen resolution, and similar pricing as stand-alone GPS navigation products, the ARCHOS 605 GPS is the ultimate navigation and entertainment device.Want YouTube and Web TV Shows on the Go? No problem.
For the first time, TV fans can catch up on full-length TV episodes, music videos, sporting events, news, Web TV shows, and even favourite radio stations for free on their handheld ARCHOS players. ARCHOS portable media players are the first to support Adobe Flash 9, letting consumers enjoy the millions of online video and Flash games available on the Web — from YouTube, Google Video, TV network Web sites, and more.Paramount Opens its Movie Vault
A global relationship with Paramount Pictures brings more than 300 Paramount movies to ARCHOS portable players. Covering North America and Europe, ARCHOS will provide select Paramount movies for its handheld devices and ARCHOS TV+ WiFi digital video recorder, with Paramount movies pre-loaded for immediate playback on the TV — no download required.
Tags: archos | gps | media | mobile tv | pmps | portable | portable media players | wifi
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
suraj
Posted April 24, 2008 3:21 AM
but is going to available for 604 wifi too.
trampas
Posted 8:01 AM 23/4/08
Dagnabbit. Not "add-ons" or "in-car holders" just build everything INTO the device, and you've got a winner. Hopefully that's the 606. Don't think the Garmin Nuvi can play movies or tv, and doesn't have a browswer...or does it?
trampas
Sleeper_Service
Posted 7:55 AM 23/4/08
It's nice.
How much in UK pounds?
Sleeper_Service
cowboyshootist
Posted 7:54 AM 23/4/08
Garmin Nuvi, worlds worst MP3 player, no video player, no wireless capability and lacking several key GPS features like the ability to display POI icons on screen.
cowboyshootist
LagunaSol
Posted 7:54 AM 23/4/08
Where the *&#!@ is my iPhone GPS add-on???
If Apple doesn't have GPS in the upcoming iPhone revision (as well as good GPS software), I'm going nuclear.
LagunaSol
Wayde
Posted 7:50 AM 23/4/08
Not bad, I can't see complaining if I got the original 605. Archos has consistently made some mighty fine gadgets!
Wayde
vertigo
Posted 7:38 AM 23/4/08
That's just looks plain dumb - haven't they heard of the Garmin Nuvi?
vertigo
Zlevee
Posted 7:29 AM 23/4/08
Finally, Archos 605 owners can feel they're getting a discount on an optional feature rather than overcharged for an optional feature.
Zlevee
ThatOneWeirdo
Posted 8:48 AM 23/4/08
"Paramount movies pre-loaded for immediate playback on the TV - no download required."
Shit that's the future... Players loaded with music and videos... much like crap/bloat ware on new laptops and desktops. I had my mind on updating my Archos Gmini402 to an iPod but now might go Archos again. I'll have to see how the new touchscreen iPods line up.
ThatOneWeirdo
Zlevee
Posted 8:25 AM 23/4/08
@vertigo: This offers a heck of a lot more features with tremendously better video resolution. And if you've already bought one before this, it's a cheap way to get functionality that would normally require an additional device.
Zlevee
citykids
Posted 9:59 AM 23/4/08
Man, Cowon better get crackin' with some firmware updates to my Q5W - that Archos is starting to look decent!
citykids
vertigo
Posted 11:34 AM 23/4/08
@Zlevee: I bought a Nuvi 680 for my GF's POS Slaab 9-3 @ Costco I don't know how much this thing costs but the Nuvi 680 was about 400 w/ tax.
vertigo
OliverTwist
Posted 12:53 AM 24/4/08
Crappy battery life. Every review says so. I yearn for a high capacity player with a web browser, but there's scarcely any point if the battery's crap.
And isn't the 606 coming soon enough? Seems like they might be doing this largely to make the last of them sell a bit faster. (Never seen anyone using one, anywhere, ever.)
OliverTwist
DJTripleRRR
Posted 2:22 AM 24/4/08
Cheez took Gizzy long enough to write anything about Archos. Congrats
DJTripleRRR
zombieparty
Posted 2:10 AM 24/4/08
I own a 605, its the best damn thing I've ever owned. The battery life isn't horrible, I get 9 hours of straight music playback when I am at work. When I'm at home its docked, and when I am in the car its docked. Watching movies through the dvr dock is the best thing about it. Although there are some hardware problems. I just sent back my second unit since Oct. First time the screen shorted out, second time I suspect the hd was failing. But tech support has always been wonderful.
I'm guessing that people that complain about archos support are more than likely complete idiots who cant communicate their issues to the tech.
zombieparty
Zlevee
Posted 1:16 PM 29/4/08
@vertigo: I'm a bit late replying but you can get the 160GB version of this for about that same price, and you have a lot more for your money in a list of features to big to put here - not the least of which is a fully functioning DVR.
Zlevee