The
ARCHOS 28 internet
tablet is the first WiFi connected Android device below the $100 price point. It offers a
compact form factor with a 2.8 inch touch-screen, and yet a wide range of features such as video, Internet
browsing and tons of applications downloadable from AppsLib, as well as a sharp music application every
player of this form factor deserves.
The Archos 28 Internet Tablet would be more commonly associated with a cell phone rather than a tablet,
but it does not make phone calls. However, it does have a simple browser and Android 2.2 which makes it a
smaller size tablet.The Archos 28'2 primary problem is the poor touch screen.
Do not expect the same response as the iPad, Samsung Galaxy or other better
tablets.
Smaller than an iPod touch, with a 2.8-inch QVGA (320 by 240-pixel) touch screen that
dominates the front panel, the Archos 28 is one of the last remaining iPod competitors out
there.
The Archos 28 has no camera for recording video and shooting photos. The built-in mic is
supposedly there for speech-to-text controls, but there issues downloading the necessary software;
it's not included on the player, nor is a voice recording app.
The music player app is one of the better-looking aspects of the device. An album cover
array reminiscent of Apple's Cover Flow moves with your finger. Selecting an album with the touch
screen's weak sensitivity can be annoying, but the Now Playing screen displays album art, playback
controls and a setting menu. In the main settings menu, you can access EQ, which has only preset
adjustments and no user customizable options.
Video and photo viewing default to horizontal mode. Both are fine for
a quick reference or to show friends snapshots you've taken, but the screen's low resolution makes it a
challenge to enjoy long term video viewing. Yes, the device has commendable file support, but its playback
does not, shall we say, feel like a high-definition experience.
It is also possible to sync an email account with the player. It was easy syncing a Hotmail account with
the Archos 28, though new messages were not pushed to the main menu page. If your account does not sync,
your only other option is to use the browser, which, given the screen issues, could be a bit of a hassle
depending on which service you use.
An Android-enabled media player with Wi-Fi
connectivity.
A
Connected Android Pocket Tablet
Connected Android
Android is the application framework developed by Google for connected mobile devices, coming stock with a full
pack of connected apps, such as a web browser and email application. The five home screens of the Android user
interface allow for advanced personalization: icons can be placed, moved or erased with just a flick of a
finger.
ARCHOS products also feature an accelerometer and a graphical accelerator (3D OpenGL ES
2.0) to exploit the Android 3D capabilities such as live wallpapers, transition effects and 3D
games.
Comes stock with a full pack of connected
apps, such as a web browser and email application.
Enjoy your favorite media--music, videos,
and images--with ultra-wide format support.
Built-in Wi-Fi for surfing the web,
downloading apps, updating your firmware, and more.
In addition, since the ARCHOS 28 is Wi-Fi enabled, it'll automatically download the
latest firmware and OS updates.
Brilliant 2.8-Inch Touchscreen
The ARCHOS 28 boasts a 2.8-inch, QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) resolution touch screen that makes navigation and
application use a breeze.
Fantastic Multimedia Player
ARCHOS 28 features include a new music application, adding 3D cover animation support and the ability to add a
mini music widget to the home screen (in order to control your music at any time). Also, because it is an
ARCHOS music player, the ARCHOS 28 IT is able to play all the music formats you'll need to keep your digital
music experience as large as it can be.
Who doesn't have a few minutes to watch a little video? The ARCHOS 28 IT answers this
need with its video player application that supports all the popular video formats. Or, if you're more into
personal photos, why not open the Gallery application and show your latest vacation to your friends or even
share them via a wireless network.
Basically, you won't find too may media players with a list like this:
Video Support: MPEG-4, H.264, WMV/VC1, Motion JPEG, MPEG 2 codecs with AVI, MP4,
MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, and WMV extensions
Applications to Make Your Player What You Want It to Be
Via AppsLib store, the Android app market place for advanced devices, you can download fun 3D games and cool
applications such as online music players (Deezer, Mewbox & Napster) or chat to stay in touch with your
friends (Ebuddy). As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can choose to fill your device with all the apps
that suit your lifestyle.
The Power of a Pocket Computer
As the ARCHOS 28 IT has a high speed processor, convenient pre-installed applications and Wi-Fi connectivity,
you no longer need to turn on your PC or borrow the family's laptop. Surf the Web, check what's happening on
your social network page, write and receive emails and even open office attachment files; all this from a small
held-hand device.
What's in the
Box
ARCHOS 28 Internet Tablet
Earphones
Standard USB cable
Quick Start Guide
Legal and Safety Notice
Archos 28 PROS AND
CONS
PROS:
Inexpensive (under $100)
Build quality is good
Internet access with simple browser
Solid file support
You can download apps from the Archos Marketplace (most are free)
Works great as a media player and video player
You can have an email account and use it to check emails
Wi-Fi enabled
Video Support: MPEG-4, H.264, WMV/VC1, Motion JPEG, MPEG 2 codecs with AVI, MP4,
MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, and WMV extensions
• ARM Cortex A8 at 800 MHz
• Graphic accelerator: 3D OpenGL ES 2.0
Video Playback1
• MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution,
30 fps @ 4 Mbps)
• H.264 (up to DVD resolution MP/D1, 30 fps @ 2 Mbps)
• WMV/VC1 (up to DVD resolution MP/D1, 30 fps @ 3 Mbps)
• M-JPEG (Motion JPEG Video) in VGA resolution
With optional plug-in (downloadable on www.archos.com):
• Cinema: MPEG-2 (up to DVD resolution MP/D1, 30 fps @ 5 Mbps)
With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4,
MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, WMV
With optional software plug-ins (downloadable on www.archos.com):
• AC3 5.1
Photo viewer4
JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF
Subtitles
Support subtitles files with .srt, .ssa, .smi, .sub
extensions, MKV / VOB embedded subtitles
Pre-installed applications
Interfaces
• USB 2.0 Device
• USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) (adapter micro B/A
sold separately)
Communication protocols
• WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
Miscellaneous
• Built-in Microphone
• G-sensor
Power source
• Internal: Lithium Polymer battery
• Device charges via computer USB port
Battery life
• Music playback time5: up to 16 hours
• Video playback time5: up to 4 hours
• Web surfing5: up to 6 hours
Scalability
• Device automatically downloads latest firmware updates
when the WiFi connection is activated
• Updates can also be downloaded at www.archos.com and updated via USB mass storage
Dimensions & weight
• 100 x 54 x 9 mm – 3.9” x 2.1” x 0.35”
• 68 grams – 2.4 oz
Minimum system requirements
• Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, 7 or higher
• Mac
• Linux (with Mass Storage Device Support)
• USB 2.0 interface
Package includes
ARCHOS 28 internet
tablet, earphones, Standard USB cable, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety
notice.
This video features the new tablet from Motorola - Motorola XOOM. It is one of the first
tablets to run Google's Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). Click here to see a full review of Motorola XOOM.
Best Tablets
Video and photo viewing default to horizontal mode. Both are fine for
a quick reference or to show friends snapshots you've taken, but the screen's low resolution makes it a
challenge to enjoy long term video viewing. Yes, the device has commendable file support, but its playback
does not, shall we say, feel like a high-definition experience.
