Aerial view
The keen-eyed amongst you will have noticed there is no snooze button. Also there’s no FM radio, so I won’t push the clock-radio analogy too far but the pre-loaded TuneIn internet radio app is a good replacement and has a one-button record facility.
Given the connectivity, is this is PMP in a box?
Around the back you will find a MicroSD slot to expand the 4GB of internal storage to a maximum of 16, a 3.5mm audio jack and a MicroUSB port for syncing and charging. Archos doesn’t say what the battery capacity is but it’s certainly good for at least 8 hours mixed use away from the mains.
Loading apps other than those in the Archos-endorsed AppsLibb requires that you instal ArcTools from said. One you have that you can use it to install the Android Market and any Google apps you want.
Internet radio player
Because the Home Connect’s screen is locked to portrait most apps are flagged as not being compliant. I got around this by exporting the apps I wanted from my phone using AirDroid. Once I had side loaded them all the ones I tried worked just fine.
Once installed Skype worked perfectly with the VGA web-cam above the screen and turned the Home Connect into a handy video and VOIP communication device, though who would want to video chat with me when I’ve just woken up in anyone’s guess. It’s really not a pretty sight.
Web browsing
Verdict
The Archos Home Connect is an interesting modern take on the good old bedside clock-radio with a decent screen at the front, Flash-playing Android underneath and a fine pair of speakers at either end. I’d like a snooze button and physical volume controls on the top though and the system buttons should be backlit for night-time use. ®
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Archos 35 Home Connect
COMMENTS
POWER CONSUMPTION
POWER CONSUMPTION. POWER CONSUMPTION. POWER CONSUMPTION. Please, whenever you review an electronic device, please give the power consumption (and that means more than battery life) as it would help people who are trying to make efficient choices.
On top of that, an easy ability to play a looping sound would be nice for some people. My wife uses a sound machine* to help her sleep.
* Sound machine replaced a standing fan: it'll pay for itself in reduced electricity costs in about 2 years. We'd have bought a combined sound machine/clock radio but you couldn't turn off the backlight and we like the room DARK.
A weighty problem?
It looks kind of light, and has a resistive touch-screen, which will require some pressure to operate.
My concern is that, unless you hold the body of the thing with one hand, you will just shove it around the bedside table as you try to prod the screen.
No GPS?
So if you get shitfaced and wake up the next morning in the bed of a strange woman, you won't be able to tell where you are?
Re: Re: Chumby
The original Chumby had stereo speakers, the one I have has a single speaker. It's a very loud and clear and there is a volume dial and snooze button. Screen is resistive touch. The Chumby doubles up as an FM radio, internet radio and has bunch of apps you can run on it that you download from their site. The device is definitely hampered from not running Android though and is basically obsolete as a platform.
I like the concept of the Archos device. Running Android is a good idea but I think it doesn't look very pretty. I think I would be more tempted by a device that looked like a picture frame preferably with an OLED screen. Failing that it would be interesting to pick up an OLED 800x400 capacative PAYG phones for less than this Archos, flash it with Cyanaogen and use that as a clock.
Wait a minute...
..a radio alarm clock with a built in camera?
Just what every bedroom needs, right?
