Archos takes TV+ box up against Slingbox

Rolls out PMP GPS add-on too

By James Sherwood, 23rd April 2008

Archos has unveiled a suction cup cradle to turn its 605 Wi-Fi PMP into a satnav. It's also launched an add-on for its TV+ to turn the media centre unit into a Slingbox-style TV streamer.

The GPS in-car holder is simply a suction cup with an integrated GPS pick-up that holds the 605 PMP and allows it to receive GPS signals. The cup can also be used as a nice place to rest the 605 while you watch a roadside movie.

The add-on costs around $130 (£75/€100) and comes with maps of Europe, the US and China. But Archos will also offer a deal bundling the 605 and the suction cup together for around $400 (£200/€250).

Archos' cradle: adds GPS to the 605

Archos has also updated the TV+ - reviewed here - to enable users to stream live TV from their home to wireless devices anywhere in the world. The plug-in will be available next month and costs $50 (£25/€35).

The PMP manufacturer’s also signed an agreement with Paramount to allow users to buy films from a list pre-loaded on the TV+, which they can then stream to a wireless device too. The service launches in North America and major European countries this spring and includes titles such as Cloverfield and Beowulf.

Archos has even created a firmware update for the 605 and 705 PMPs, enabling both models to support Adobe Flash 9, Windows Media Video 9 and the ON2 video format. Once you pay the $20 (£10/€13) fee to download the firmware update, you’ll be able to enjoy the ‘delights’ of YouTube on your Archos PMP in no time.

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Posted Tuesday 29th April 2008 00:01 GMT

frymaster

To be fair...

Opera will be charging _them_ :)

It works if you realise the archos ISN'T amazingly cheap, it's just modular... with all options and gizmos it costs the same as competitors. The advantage is, you just pay for the ones you want.

eg I have no interest in random apple-sponsored codecs, I transcode all my media before transfer and save myself the licensing fee

Posted Thursday 24th April 2008 02:07 GMT

Chris

Hmm

I was going to buy one of these (maybe not this exact model, but an archos).. until I realized that I would have to spend another couple hundred dollars in add-ons and upgrades before it did what I wanted. I think I'll pass.

(Charging for an internet browser? f'k off.)