Pocketables

Archos 5 Internet Tablet with Android now available from Amazon

While the last few days have been filled with the latest news on Windows Mobile 6.5 and some of the hot smartphone hardware on the way soon, it would be easy to find an excuse for almost missing this one. It seems that Archos has finally released their newest-generation PMP into the world, with the Android-based Archos 5 Internet Tablet now available for immediate delivery from Amazon here in the U.S. and direct from other retailers around the world.

Initially, only the 160GB ($389.99) and the 32GB ($369.99) models are available for purchase, with the 500GB ($499.99) model still in pre-order status and coming soon. The other previously-announced capacities will apparently come at a later date, but to be honest, I'm not sure if the smaller flash-based models are even necessary in this day of growing media libraries.

Some users over at ArchosFans have already taken delivery of their new devices, and from what I can tell in brief reading, the experiences are mixed at best. Hopefully the Android platform will take the Archos 5 from just a PMP into a full-fledged MID, because it definitely has the specs to pull it off, and the size seems to be what many people are looking for.

New video of Nokia N900 browser

At the expense of appearing to be a total Nokia N900 fanboy, which I readily admit to, here is yet another post to hold us over until the release of Nokia's latest flagship device. Leading up to the Maemo Summit this weekend, the folks over at Nokia Conversations have posted a new video of the Maemo browser being put through its paces. The YouTube video, which is just under six minutes long and can be found past the break, shows off the browser in real-life use and yet again proves that the N900 is going to be a force in the smartphone market.

Interesting tidbits for Nokia N900 fans

While the Nokia N900 is possibly only a few short weeks away from release, those of us who are eagerly awaiting its arrival now have some newly-posted thorough previews and pictures to hold us over. Even though Amazon's pre-order link was apparently gone for a few days and replaced with an email notification page, I'm still hopeful that Nokia will come through on their original mid-October promised delivery.

Thanks to Eldar over at mobile-review.com, we now have screenshots of just about every conceivable feature in Maemo 5, and while a picture is supposed to say a thousand words, he really has gone into great detail regarding the software that's powering the new smartphone. Some of the screens may look slightly familiar to those of us with the older-generation Internet Tablets like the N8XX-series, but this is definitely not a rehash of Diablo. It looks like there have been significant upgrades to the desktop customization options and the task manager, not to mention the completely revamped media player. Oh, and I almost forgot about the phone, which will give T-Mobile users here in the U.S. some 3G goodness and cause some jealous glances from AT&T users.

Picking up where Eldar left off, Michal at My-Symbian.com has a complete rundown of not only Maemo 5, but the N900 as well. There are some great size comparison shots of the N900 with other popular Nokia devices, similar to what we are used to seeing here at Pocketables. Also, the camera is tested and delivers some beautiful sample videos and snapshots, which should not surprise anyone who has used a Nokia phone equipped with a 5MP camera. Of note is the excellent readability of the screen, even in sunlight. One possible shortcoming might be the 256MB that is available for third-party app installation, though as Michal points out, this is merely a prototype unit and the firmware is sure to change on shipping units.

Seeing these details and pictures of the N900 is making it look like a perfect combination of three of my favorite devices that I own: the Nokia N95-4, the iPhone 3GS, and the N8XX. Maybe now I won't need three pockets.

SmartDevices SmartV 5 MID supports 1080p video

The SmartQ series of low-power MIDs that currently includes the 5 and 7 slates will soon have some company in Beijing-based SmartDevices' stable of internet devices. Though not yet included on its website, the existence of the brand new SmartV 5 was made public last week in an announcement touting the unit's native support of 1080p MKV/H.264 videos and 1080p HDMI output to HDTVs.

A member of the MobileRead forums heard from Eletroworld that the SmartV 5 would be released in mid-October a few days later, and today the Chinese importer added a dedicated product page for the device with a photo and specs that include a 600MHz processor, 5" WVGA touchscreen, 2GB flash memory, microSD card for an additional 32GB of storage, 256MB DDR2 RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a choice of Android, WinCE 6.0, or Ubuntu operating systems.

Eletroworld doesn't mention a price, but JTShop has the device listed for $260 and it probably won't be long before DealExtreme picks it up as well.

Thanks, dropside!

Archos 5 Internet Tablet user manual now online

The Android-based Archos 5 Internet Tablet that just became official last week may still be listed as "coming soon" at the Archos store and only available for preorder on Amazon, but don't let that stop you from learning everything there is to know about the 800MHz Cortex A8-powered slate through the 55-page user manual (PDF) that has just been added to the company's support page.

Well, okay, you probably won't learn everything about the device, but official documentation is always a good supplement to guided video tours and overviews. And that's the next best thing to actually having the gadget in your hands, right?

Thanks, Yoko!

Price drop on Nokia N900 at Amazon.com

Even though the Nokia N900 is only available for preordering right now and it has barely been a week since Jenn pointed out its presence on the Amazon.com website, there has already been a nice price drop. Apparently any N900 fans out there who like the idea of saving nearly 10% on their shiny new toy can do just that, with the Maemo 5-based slider now coming in at a penny short of $589.

Considering that ordering from Nokia USA could cost quite a bit more once sales tax is figured in, this seems like a great deal from Amazon, assuming they are able to fulfill orders quickly after release. Of course, the free Bluetooth headset is still being offered on preorders through Nokia, but that doesn't do anything for me given how inexpensive BT headsets are these days. I don't know about everyone else, but I am about ready to pull the trigger on this one, because I've been waiting for a replacement for my N800 for much too long now. 

With a price drop even before release, could it drop even lower in the next few months?

[Nokia N900 @ Amazon]

Archos 5 Internet Tablet is now official

After weeks of speculation and a few leaks here and there, Archos finally released their new Android-based Internet Tablet. The new Archos 5 Internet Tablet comes in a full range of flash-based and hard drive-based configurations, starting at 8GB ($249.99) and going all the way to a 500GB ($439.99) version. In between these models are 16GB, 32GB, and 160GB units. The smaller capacities utilize flash memory, while the larger capacities use a more traditional hard drive, making the device slightly thicker overall.

Nokia N900 up for preorder at Amazon.com

Sure, the Nokia N900 has been available for preorder directly through Nokia USA with free standard shipping for about a week now, but if you live in an area that can also save you from paying sales tax, you might like to know that the Maemo 5 slider can now be purchased at Amazon.com too.

Amazon doesn't bundle the N900 with a free BH-703 Bluetooth headset the way Nokia does, but if you don't need a headset, don't want to pay tax, and/or just have some Amazon gift certificates you need to spend, the mega-retailer isn't a bad place to get rid of $649.

[Nokia N900 @ Amazon]

ITRI shows off Android-based WiMAX PID (yes, PID)

Rather than follow in the footsteps of those who have managed to create stylish MIDs, Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is blazing its own trail with an unattractive PID, or personal internet device.

ITRI, who made headlines last year with its 5-inch folding TFT-EFD screen, describes the PID as a "mobile multimedia device with high definition video capability" and demonstrated it downloading videos, browsing the internet, and playing games at an event held last week. Developed to show off how its MIMO WiMAX chips work in harmony with ARM microprocessors and a version of Android the company spent almost a year tweaking/optimizing, the device is expected to retail for less than $250 whenever it goes into production.

[Digitimes | PC World]

Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet photos, prices leaked

Looking much more polished and sleek than when it was captured by the FCC cameras last week, the upcoming Android-based Archos 5 Internet Tablet that will be formally announced on September 15th has recently appeared in glossy press shot form on B&H Photo Video in both HDD (160GB, 500GB) and SSD (16GB, 32GB) varieties. Prices, before they were removed, ranged between $293.95 and $419.95 and of course shouldn't be considered final or official until confirmed by Archos.

Assuming these are the real prices and all the previously reported specs still hold true, will you be spending your gadget allowance on this? It's obviously still too early to pass judgment, but so far my current non-Android Archos 5 isn't in danger of being replaced. Thoughts?

[ArchosFans]