ARCHOS Announces New Android-Based IMT Device

ARCHOS, a technology innovator and leading provider of portable media player solutions, announced that it planned to add to its offering a new ultra-thin Internet Media Tablet (IMT) that also featured mobile phone capabilities, through the combination of Google's Android telephony stack and ARCHOS' multimedia framework. At the same time, the new IMT will include the OMAP 3 platform from Texas Instruments.

IMT will have all the functionalities of a premium smartphone provided by the Android platform, which also offers access to its fast-developing application environment. At the same time, ARCHOS' rich and proven multimedia framework is meant to provide a leveraged entertainment and web-browsing experience.

The OMAP 3 application processor, connectivity and analog products developed by Texas Instruments are meant to offer high performance and low power, as well as to allow the company to develop compelling, highly-competitive products that run under the Android OS. ARCHOS is able to deliver an Android-based device fast and cost effectively, given the software investment made by Texas instruments on the platform. The device will also be able to offer advanced features such as the newly integrated voice capabilities.

“ARCHOS was proud to announce the introduction of its ARCHOS 5 HSDPA IMT last year with SFR. We are continuing to advance our efforts in the IMT space with the introduction of this new product,” said Henri Crohas, CEO and ARCHOS founder. “Support for an Android-based device represents a historical opportunity for ARCHOS to combine all the best of our IMTs with a phone in a single device delivering high quality video and a full web experience in true mobility.”

“TI remains committed to helping ARCHOS advance its product line and deliver a new class of devices that builds on a history of delivering rich multimedia experiences,” said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president and general manager for TI's OMAP platform business unit. “The OMAP 3 platform, with its support for the Android OS, is a powerful tool to support HD video, high quality multimedia and connectivity anytime and anywhere. ARCHOS' use of TI technologies, including connectivity and analog solutions, helps to push the boundaries with new products and as we see today, new business models, to be a leading innovator with its new IMTs.”

ARCHOS also announced voice integration, a feature through which the company seeks to expand beyond portable media players so as to provide solutions for the converged space. Moreover, the feature is also meant to open new markets for the company. The new Android-based IMT with voice functionality developed by ARCHOS is expected to be released in the third quarter of the year.