With some companies struggling to get one tablet to market, Archos has just unveiled not one new tablet but five. Ranging from a screen size of 2.8 up to 10.1 inches, these new devices aim to cater to a wide range of user preferences and needs.
All five tablets use Android 2.2 and are equipped with accelerometers and built-in microphones. However, a significant drawback is that these tablets do not have access to the Android App Marketplace. This limitation could be a deal-breaker for many potential users who rely on the extensive app ecosystem that the Android Marketplace offers.
Archos’ AppsLib: A Limited Alternative
Instead, the apps you will be able to load onto your tablets will be controlled by Archos’ AppsLib. This proprietary app store offers a selection of applications, but it pales in comparison to the vast library available on the official Android App Marketplace. This could severely limit the functionality and appeal of these tablets, especially for users who are accustomed to the wide variety of apps available on other Android devices.
Another potential misstep by Archos is the apparent absence of Google apps on all the tablets. Essential services like Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Music have been replaced by Archos’s own versions. While Archos may have developed competent alternatives, the familiarity and reliability of Google’s apps are hard to match. This could be a significant inconvenience for users who rely on these services for their daily activities.
Specifications and Features
Despite these drawbacks, the Archos tablets do offer some compelling features. The range of screen sizes from 2.8 inches to 10.1 inches means there is likely a model to suit everyone’s needs, whether you want a compact device for on-the-go use or a larger screen for media consumption and productivity tasks. The inclusion of accelerometers and built-in microphones also adds to the versatility of these devices, making them suitable for a variety of applications, from gaming to video conferencing.
More information on all five tablets, including detailed specifications, can be found on the Archos website. These specifications will give potential buyers a better understanding of what each model offers in terms of processing power, storage capacity, and other critical features. For those interested in how these tablets stack up against other popular devices, have a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
In conclusion, while Archos’s new range of tablets offers some interesting features and a variety of sizes, the lack of access to the Android App Marketplace and the absence of Google apps could be significant drawbacks. Potential buyers will need to weigh these limitations against the benefits to determine if an Archos tablet is the right choice for them.
Via Crunch Gear
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