The Archos 70b is an updated version of its older ARCHOS 70 Internet Tablet, adding Android 3.2 to the mix and using a similar rounded design as its predecessor and the more powerful G9 duo. Launching with a UK price of £179, Archos is confident it’s on to a winner, with the 70b update coming with a single-core 1.2GHz processor, official access to the Android Market and a 7″ 1024×600 capacitive screen.
The 512MB of RAM is a bit of a hindrance, but apart from that nerdy technicality this could well be the budget Android tablet that cracks the market.
Also has an HDMI output and 8GB of onboard media storage space. You can’t argue with Android 3.2 for that price. Here’s the press release:
ARCHOS unveils the ARCHOS 70b internet tablet, the first Android Honeycomb tablet under £180
London, UK – December 20, 2011 – ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced the upcoming availability of the first android 3.2 ‘’Honeycomb’’ tablet at £179.99, the ARCHOS 70b internet tablet.
The new ARCHOS 70b IT is an enhanced version of the ARCHOS 70 IT Gen 8 that features an upgraded capacitive touch screen and a powerful processor at 1.2 GHz. The ARCHOS 70b internet tablet runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb, Google’s full suite of mobile applications with Android Market TM, giving users access to over 300,000 applications such as games, books, social media and news. With Honeycomb, users will benefit faster and smoother transitions between different applications, more intuitive navigation to and from
home screens.Very slim and light, the newest version of the ARCHOS 70 internet tablet Gen 8, offers the best performances in terms of portability, immediate internet access, multimedia, apps and affordability. This new version has a higher resolution capacitive screen (1024 x 600) for vibrant colours and crisp clarity and has doubled the RAM to 512 MB for a smoother web experience and more efficient multi-tasking.
This connected mobile device with a sublime user interface, 3D Graphics accelerator and Wi-Fi connectivity, comes also with a full pack of connected apps such as a web browser and email application, HDMI output and Micro SD connectivity.
With this enhanced Android tablet, users will benefit from:
- Smoother multi-tasking and faster web experience thanks to upgraded RAM
- Brighter colours with high resolution capacitive screen
- Android 3.2 Honeycomb, the Android version designed for a tablet
- Access to a full array of apps with the Android Market and its 250,000 apps such as news, eMagazines, eBooks, social media, games…? A full multimedia experience with upgraded multimedia ARCHOS apps for video and music
- HDMI output, giving users full access to their Android experience on their TV including all the apps, not only video playback but also 3D games, photos and all the apps from the Android Market
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
decanem
/ December 21, 2011eh? not ics? what gives?
honeycomb was a stopgap solution wasnt it?
Gary_C
/ December 21, 2011Give ‘em a chance, the poor chaps have only just got the code.