The Archos 32 is delivering some of the best features of Android 2.2 ( Froyo) in a
pocket-size design priced at an affordable price. The ARCHOS 32 internet
tablet is a great 3.2-inch touch screen Android player able to play the widest range of video
and music formats. You can download plenty of applications to extend its fun factor, connect to the Internet
via a WiFi network, and even shoot videos with its built-in camera. The ARCHOS 32 is a sleek Android device
with a 3.2-inch touchscreen and 8 GB of on-board memory. Smaller than a pack of gum, the ARCHOS 32 will play
multiple video and music formats, download Android apps to fit your lifestyle, connect to the Internet, and
even shoot video with its built-in camera.
Built from a combination of anodized aluminum and plastic, the Archos 32's construction quality feels
reassuringly solid. It measures 2 inches wide by 4 inches tall by a mere 0.25 inch thick, and weighs a
barely there 2.5 ounces.
With the exception of a volume rocker switch and sleep button on the left edge, the Archos 32 is
controlled entirely using the touch screen and a series of dedicated touch controls on the front. As with
most Android-based smartphones, the dedicated controls include a back arrow, menu list, home, and search.
Touch-sensitive controls for volume are also included on the front of the device, which seems silly
considering the hardware volume switch located nearby, but doesn't detract from the experience in any
meaningful way.
On the bottom edge of the Archos 32 you'll find a headphone jack, pinhole microphone, battery indicator,
and a Micro-USB port. We're glad to see that Archos opted for a universal port instead of the proprietary
dock used on many of its larger tablets, though it does mean that accessories such as the Archos DVR
Station are not compatible. That said, an AV cable accessory (sold separately) will allow you to output
all onscreen content to a TV over a composite connection.
The back of the Archos 32 includes one of its most tempting features: a video camera. It can't shoot 720p
HD video footage like the iPod Touch can, but its VGA resolution recordings aren't too shabby and can be
adjusted between a number of bit rates. The camera is also capable of capturing still photographs, though
it lacks a flash or any kind of sophisticated options for focus or white balance.
Archos preloads the 32 with a handful of useful apps.
There's eBuddy for the heavy chatter, Touiteur for the Twitter addict, and Racing Thunder Lite for the
gaming-inclined. There isn't access to the Android Market. Google is still restricting access on
non-phone device or devices that lack 3G but Archos' AppsLib store is an alternative for getting
some apps.
Great Hardware
The ARCHOS 32 is a real eye-catcher, with its 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen LCD that boasts a WQVGA (400 x 240)
resolution and 16 million colors.
It's also got the power to back up those looks, with an 800 MHz Arm Cortex A8 processor
with DSP, and 3D OpenGL graphics acceleration.
An Excellent Media Player
The ARCHOS 32 features music, video, and photo applications that allow users to browse through the album covers
to locate and instantly access their media. Plus, the ARCHOS 32 is able to play a variety of music, photo, and
video formats. This means far less headaches with file conversion--simply drag and drop files directly from
your computer to the device and enjoy.
On the audio front, you'll get support for MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, OGG, and FLAC
formats out of the box, along with a plug-in available for AC3 5.1.
For video, the ARCHOS 32 will play MPEG-4 HD, MPEG-4, H.264 HD, WMV9/ACP, and MJPG
codecs with the following filename extensions: AVI, MP4, MOV, 3GP, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, MKV, FLV, RM, RMVB,
ASF, and WMV.
Even with images, the ARCHOS 32 delivers, with support for JPEG, BMP, PNG, and GIF
files.
Android Apps
Since the ARCHOS 32 is an Android-based device, it provides access to all kinds of applications. The AppsLib
store is an Android application marketplace where you can download multiple apps while connected to a Wi-Fi
network. You decide what your product should do for you by choosing from the thousands of available apps.
Social media, entertainment, weather, traffic, news, and games are now just a click away.
Built-in Video Camera
The ARCHOS 32 gives you the ability to make memories wherever you choose. With a built-in video camera, you can
easily record video or take pictures. Within minutes, you can upload and share your personal memories on your
social networks.
Surf the Internet
Using a Wi-Fi connection, you can surf the web as efficiently as you do on your computer, thanks to the ARCHOS
32's speedy processor. Easily zoom in and out by double-tapping on the screen or by rotating the product
horizontally.
USB 2.0 Device
The ARCHOS 32 is a USB 2.0 device, so it will connect and charge using your computer's USB port. This makes
file transfer fast and easy as well, with drag-and-drop ease.
What's in the Box
ARCHOS 32 internet tablet
Earphones
Standard USB cable
Quick Start Guide (QSG)
Legal and safety notice
Archos 32 PROS AND CONS
PROS:
Solid build quality (slim and light)
Android 2.2
Processor is fast
The touch screen is very responsive
Music and video playback
Video playback is excellent
Copies and pastes files easily from a Windows PC with no problem
E-mail (you can check your e-mail over Wi-Fi)
Wi-Fi (wireless works fine)
Web browsing
Flash 10.1 Support (you have access to any website designed in Flash on the
Internet)
Bluetooth
Camcorder (it's decent, but not great)
Fits in your pocket
Excellent media player
Customizable home screen
Good battery life
Good sound
Multitasking
Inexpensive
CONS:
The touchscreen is difficult to read outdoors
It is not a multitouch screen (it can only input touch in one location at a
time)
No access to the standard Android Google Marketplace
Keyboard small size makes it prone to error
Storage is limited
Brightness not as expected (colors are washed out + low screen resolution)
Picture and video quality are mediocre
Poor camera placement
Glossy screen
Lack of backlit on the bottom keys
No internal speakers
No SD card slot (so you cannot expand the memory, you are stuck with 8GB)
Default keyboard is tough to get used to (replace it with a sliding/swype style
one)
No accessories available from Archos (like a case of some kind)
Archos 32 Video
Reviews
Where can you find the best deals on Archos 32
Tablet?
Amazon usually has the best prices and free
shipping.
Archos 32 Technical
Specifications
Sleek and stylish, with a 3.2-inch touchscreen.
Access the AppsLib store, an Android app
marketplace where you can download multiple apps while connected to
Wi-Fi.
• ARM Cortex A8 at 800 MHz with DSP
• Graphic accelerator: 3D OpenGL ES 2.0
Video Playback1
• MPEG-42 HD (up to 720p, 30 fps@6Mbps)
• MPEG-42 (ASP@L5 AVI, up to DVD resolution, 30 fps@8Mbps)
• H.264 HD (HP@L3.1 up to 720p, 30 fps@5Mbps)
• WMV9/VC1 (AP up to 720p 30 fps@10Mbps)
• 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@10 Mbps)
With the above codecs, the device can play video files with the following extensions: AVI, MP4,
MKV, MOV, WMV, MPG, PS, TS, VOB, FLV, RM, RMVB, ASF, 3GP
• USB 2.0 Device
• USB 2.0 Host: Mass Storage Class (MSC) and Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) (adapter micro B/A
sold separately)
• Composite output5 (AV cable sold separately)
Communication protocols
• WiFi (802.11 b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
Miscellaneous
• Built-in Microphone
• G-sensor
Power source
• Internal: Lithium Polymer battery
• Device charges via computer USB port
Battery life
• Music playback time6: up to 24 hours
• Video playback time6: up to 6 hours
• Web surfing6: up to 8 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
• 105 x 55 x 9 mm – 4.1” x 2.1” x 0.3”
• 72 grams – 2.5 oz
Minimum system requirements
• Microsoft® Windows® XP, Vista, 7 or higher
• Mac
• Linux
• USB 2.0 interface
Package includes
ARCHOS 32 internet
tablet, earphones, Standard USB cable, Quick Start Guide (QSG), legal and safety
notice.
* 1 GB= 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity is less.
1/ Certain bitrates, resolutions, and/or file variations may not be compatible.
2/ MPEG-4 ASP@L5 AVI (MPEG-4: ISO standard by Moving Picture Experts Group; AVI: audio/video file
container by Microsoft) without GMC and Quarter pixel.
3/ Does not read AAC protected files.
4/ Certain resolutions and file sizes may not be compatible.
5/ External video output disabled for Macrovision®-protected contents.
6/ Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be
replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.
Testing carried out using preproduction Internet Tablets and software performing the following
tasks: video playback, audio playback, and Internet browsing using Wi-Fi. Battery life depends on
device settings, usage, and many other factors; actual results may vary.
7/ Available in November 2010
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.
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