Archos has announced a $200 Android-powered tablet with a 7-inch (800×480) touch screen.
The device – which is capable of streaming video at 720p – also features integrated WiFi, 8GB of Flash memory (according to Gearlog), a USB port and battery that provides seven hours of video playback or 44 hours of music on a single charge.
In addition, the Archos 7 is loaded with a selection of pre-installed apps, including Aldiko (instant messenger), DailyPaper, an MP3 player, as well as access to Deezer and the Archos Apps Library.
So far so good, right? Well, maybe not.
Indeed, Matthew Humphries of Geek.com notes that the tablet does not offer access to the Android Marketplace and only runs v1.6 of the OS.
“Archos took a similar decision with its 5-inch Internet tablet [by] choosing to offer its own range of apps instead. The Archos 7 sounds like a great device on paper, but interested parties should be weary,” explained Humphries.
“[And] reviews of the Archos 5 Internet Tablet have been less than great. The hardware is a very capable mix of good screen, ARM processor and wireless connectivity. The only problem is the amount of bugs in the software and a few unusual decisions Archos decided to take.”
The $200 Archos 7 home tablet will hit the hot summer streets in June, with pre-orders available at Amazon.com.
