This’ll take you by surprise. The recently-released Archos 101 Internet Tablet, which Archos promised would receive an official update to Android 2.2 soon after launch, has indeed received it’s “FroYo” update. Very soon after launch. Well done, Archos.
It’s out now, and you can get it direct from Archos here. These are the official highlights of the 2.2 OS from the Archos release notes:
Version 2.0.54 – Android “Froyo” 2.2.1 – November 30th, 2010
- Higher performance: just in time compiler (JIT) technology makes applications run up to 5 times faster than previous Android “Eclair” 2.1 firmwares
– Enhanced Microsoft Exchange support: it is now possible to synchronize contacts and calendar events
– Allow to install more 3rd party applications by installing them on the storage memory (for applications that supports it)
– Video: movie information and cover retrieval in video file info dialog
– Multiple selection mode is now always enabled in the file manager
– External bluetooth GPS receivers are now supported
– Better assistance is provided in the tethering wizard to pair with cell phone using bluetooth DUN profile (smart APN detection)
– OpenVPN is now supported
– Slideshow support for network shares has been added to Gallery and Photoframe applications
– Photoframe: full screen picture can now be displayed on double tap when in floating image mode
– Manual white balance setting has been added in Camera application
– Faster USB write transfer
– Battery: more accurate battery charge estimation
– Audio: improved compatibility with android audio stream volume management (voice/music/ringtone etc.)
– Orientation: fixed compatibility issue with some applications working with inverted accelerometer axis
The Archos 101’s going for £269 at Dixons and in a rare occurrence for an Android tablet is actually IN STOCK at the moment – even though Archos UK itself seems to be out of stock of both the 8GB and 16GB versions.
UPDATE:
Turns out this update applies to ALL of the most recently released Archos Android tablets, so also upgrades the Archos 70, 43, 32 and 28 models. Full details from Archos here.
It’s smooth to use, the 1080p display is sharp, clear and bright, the device is extremely light and thin and therefore very pocketable and portable — much more so than other 5-inch phones we’ve used. And yet… we’re a bit unimpressed by the overall package…
A relatively high-spec smartphone, with a 4.5″ display running at 480 x 854 resolution and powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, plus the Ascend G510 arrives running Android 4.1.1 — albeit potentially hindered by Huawei only sticking 512MB of RAM inside it..
The Panasonic Eluga marks the company’s return to the European mobile phone scene years after several years of absence, and it’s come back to us with a moderately high-spec Android model that features a rather stylish, slim case.
Sony returns with an all-new mobile design for 2012, pairing a dual-core processor with a 720p display. It’s a lovely phone, but is it enough to end our Samsung and HTC obsession?
LG’s updated Prada phone comes with an absolutely crazy black & white theme, but is it just for fashionable suit wearers who want to make themselves look a bit more interesting?
5th Horseman
/ December 1, 2010Updated my A70 last night to 2.2 but what a disappointment!
Sluggish, Android market not compatible with 2.2. Should have waited a bit to get the buggy bits out. Can’t go back.
5th
Gary C
/ December 1, 2010You sure it wasn’t just doing a heap of downloading/syncing in the background? Once a thing’s been updated, it’ll usually try to re-download all your apps for you.