My mobile tech interest feels reinvigorated, thanks in part to the recent efforts of Archos. You may recall my recent article about Apple causing me to lose my faith in other tech companies. But after seeing all of the recent fun that Chippy seems to be having with the Android based Archos 5 [Portal page], I must say that thinks are looking up in my mind.
Simply put, the Archos 5 looks like a substantial contribution to the MID field, rather than another stab in the dark from a clueless tech company that seems to churn out experiments rather than real, usable products. It will be devices like the Archos 5 (once it comes down a bit in price) that introduces less tech-savvy consumers to the MID a device which acts as a mobile companion rather than just a phone, or just a media player.
Beyond the Archos 5, I’m also looking toward the Archos 9 [Portal page] with much anticipation (and it looks like I’m not the only one, the Archos 9 is currently topping the Portal charts). While a keyboard-less device without even a capacitive OSK would normally worry me, I’m happy to see that the Archos 9 is reportedly coming to market for a reasonable $499, and I’m hoping to augment the device with one of my favorite Bluetooth accessories, the iGo foldable BT keyboard. We’ll see how that goes once the Archos 9 actually rolls out.
Thanks Archos, you’ve helped me get over a mobile tech depression, and given me something exciting to look forward to!
Chippy,
Is this because of the specifics of the Archos 5 itself or what this device represents as a concept or ?
I ask as I was surprised at first reading your post, given the bugs I read in earlier posts about the device not working well (OS issues?)….
So, just curious….
Thanks,
Mark
Hey Mark, this post was actually not written by Chippy!
It is the concept of the Archos 5, not the device itself. It, to me, represents a decent attempt in the MID direction (good hardware coupled with good software), rather than a system that just doesn’t cut it in terms of usability. I know that Chippy has had some trouble with the OS crashing, but hopefully those will be fixed eventually.
Oops, sorry about that, Ben….I posted very early this morning before I zipped off to work, so, probably half asleep….
Anyway, thanks for clarifying…
I read somewhere about someone that had his Archos 5 crash about 200 times in about the first day he had it…so, does seem like there’s bugs in OS to be ironed out…
It looks nice from photos though….
Ben,
I agree and think the screen size may be perfect but have been worried about typing input. Your suggestion of the IGo bluetooth keyboard is interesting and looks like a great typing solution however how do you fix the pointing device problem? The IGo does not seem to have a touch pad. Do you reach up and tap the screen to mouse around? Carrying a third piece of hardware, a bluetooth mouse, is where this set up starts getting bulky. I wonder if anyone makes a folding keyboard like the IGo with a touch pad?
Good point about the mouse. I’m thinking of a solution like this: http://www.newtonperipherals.com/mogo_mouseBT.html
Ben,
Your PC slot mouse looks interesting but I am pretty sure that no 5″, 7″ or even 9″ inch device is going to have a PCI slot for storing and charging it. Charbax’s suggestions all look like acceptable folding keyboards too but none have built in touch pads, track balls or detachable mouse.
All of this really illustrates the limitations of todays UMPC / MID designs. Owning an Archos 5 and making it really usable to me would require I carry two additional devices to service it, a folding keyboard and a mouse. Throw in a charging brick and we have completely lost any size advantage we had over a netbook or small laptop in portability. Maybe I am being silly. Maybe I should leave the keyboards and mice to the laptops and be content with the MIDs onscreen keyboard and finger navigation. Still its fun to dream and maybe that next device you and Chippy discover will have the design magic that makes it truely usable and portable.
The company that makes those mice have a USB charging adapter : )
Of course that doesn’t solve the storing problem, but I think the mouse will fit fine in small leather case that I carry the keyboard in. I’m hoping it will make a very portable writing kit.
I’m trying to post a longer comment here but it might be blocked by an anti-spam filter because of too many links to illustrations of foldable keyboards inside of it.
The iGo bluetooth keyboard looks great, but I once emailed that company and they told me that they stopped manufacturing those awesome foldable keyboards about a couple of years ago. Though one can sometimes still find an iGo foldable BT keyboard on ebay I guess.
I have been using my Fellowes foldable USB keyboard for 5 years and I am typing this comment right now using it ( http://jcautodesign.com/images/S5000050.JPG ). Though Fellowes was bought by iGo (or whoever makes iGo) and iGo has discontinued making the foldable keyboards as far as I know.
Though searching a bit, there seems to be other foldable Bluetooth and USB keyboards available like these:
MSI branded one: http://www.hardwaresphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/msi-foldable-bluetooth-keyboard-folded.jpg
Nokia’s foldable Bluetooth keyboard: http://770.fs-security.com/maemo-bt-plugin/770keyboard-small-white.jpg
Thanks for the info, though I purchased an iGo foldable BT keyboard several years ago so I’m all set! I can’t believe they stopped manufacturing them, they have always been regarded as a very good accessory.
http://www.ruggedbook.com.tw/Upload/Product/Pro-2008-691943344.gif
Cheap Targus foldable USB keyboard: https://www.laptopcaseoutlet.com/images/targus-foldable-keyboard.jpg
Asus R2H Slim 04GNGV1KUS00 foldable USB keyboard: http://www.cay3.com/products/182560.jpg
To me the best Bluetooth keyboard designs for Archos would be ones that are super thin and designed to fit exactly the size of the Archos screens, foldable in 2 for the Archos 5 Internet Tablet and non-foldable for the Archos 9, and simply snap-on to at least 2 sides of the Archos to firmly cover the whole Archos screen and thus be able to use the actual Bluetooth keyboard to double as a screen protector. And when in Tablet-only mode, one should easily be able to snap-on the keyboard on the back of the device, and the most ingenious design would still let the user use the kickstand or come with a new kickstand for when the keyboard is snapped on the back of the device, adding at the maximum 5mm extra thickness to the device including the bump in the Bluetooth keyboard for a battery.
Still I don’t understand why Archos 5 is not in 10 top UMPCPortal chart
I think we added it to the database pretty recently. Check out its page (link in the article) and about half way down there is a graph. As you can see, it is working its way up there : P
maybe on its page, but i was speaking about “Most popular devices today” table
Ben,
I think your folding keyboard and mouse is the way to go. One of the JKKontheRun guys have a similar setup which they show layed out at a Starbucks all the time. The sad observation here is that in late 2009 it is still necessary to cobble together your own kit of mismatched accessories to come up with an acceptable mobile solution. That or purchase the little Fujitsu which has it all if you can mortgage your house to buy one.
I’m not able to view this video online. I have to rip it and convert it due to my weak PC. But it purports to show a BT KB being used with the Archos 5 IT.
Remote Desktop on Archos 5 Android Tablet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt6xo2LZeLc
I’ve since seen the vid. Holy cow. No muss, no fuss. Although the instability caused two crashes during the making of the vid, he said.
Very nice video Mike,
But the need for the separate mouse really messes up the portability of the package. I am still amazed that no one seems to make a foldable keyboard with touchpad or trackball built in.
That’d be a design challenge. Although as I think of it, why not one where the touchpad slides out the side?
Im getting one of these to enable key typing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-Wireless-Bluetooth-Keyboard-83Keys-for-IBM-HP-SONY_W0QQitemZ260481304600QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice?hash=item3ca5e54818&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
There are keysonioc keyboards out there with built in mouse – saves on 2 peripherals.
Gurry it does not fold!
khmm… renews faith… khm…
http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/10/12/archos-5-internet-tablet-amazon-suspends-sales/