GPS navigators with multimedia features are not exactly a novelty, most high-end products from this segment providing MP3 and multimedia playback features. But what about the other way around? What about a portable media player with GPS functionality? Well, looks like that's exactly what Archos has managed to pull out of the hat this time, alongside several other goodies which might actually help push the company's forward in the customer's wish lists.

The first (and probably the most important) novelty brought about by the French company is the one related to GPS. Thus, the owners of the Archos 605 WiFi portable media player (PMP) will be able to actually transform their devices into a full-fledged portable navigation device due to the GPS In-Car Holder, an accessory that can be very easily installed in any car and provides complete navigation support with Tele Atlas maps, the European version covering 22 countries, the North America version covering the U.S. and Canada, and a Chinese version.

Practically, users will be able to combine the high-quality touch-screen displays included in all of the PMPs from Archos with such features as easy and intuitive address, zip-code and POI (point of interest) markers for rapidly selecting destination points, precise navigation with automated simulation inside tunnels, lane assistance, advanced signposts and fast and accurate route recalculation.

Additionally, users will also be able to enjoy clear voice-to-text support through the car’s FM stereo (via the built-in line out), or the ARCHOS 605 WiFi’s amplified built-in speaker. This very interesting and useful add-on will be available separately starting with May 2008 for around 130 US dollars, but users can always go for the much sweeter deal provided by the bundle offering (ARCHOS 605 WiFi 30 GB plus the GPS module, all for just 400 US dollars).

Archos has also announced the availability of a new firmware update for the ARCHOS 605 or 705 WiFi devices, which will open the doors for Adobe Flash 9, Windows Media Video (WMV) 9 and ON2 video formats.thus allowing users to access a huge variety of online content, ranging from YouTube videos to various flash-based games.

Additionally, the company has introduced the new ARCHOS Web TV and Radio plug-in, which permits consumers to access more than 9,600 Web radio stations, 600 Web TV stations and 110,000 podcasts streamed live over the Internet to their Archos devices. The plugin can be very easily downloaded directly from the Archos website and will cost just 20 US dollars when it becomes available at some point during May.

Last, but certainly not least, Archos touts the global relationship with Paramount Digital Entertainment that brings hundreds of Paramount movies to ARCHOS Portable Media Players (PMPs). Thus, consumers from all over North America and major countries in Europe will be able to watch some of their favorite movies, such as "Cloverfield," "Shooter," and "Beowulf" on the go or in the living room. The Paramount library will be both preloaded onto the ARCHOS TV+ WiFi Digital Video Recorder (DVR) for one-click viewing on the TV, and available directly from ARCHOS portable devices or online.

As you can plainly see, it's been a pretty busy day for Archos, whose new offerings are really, really impressive, and will most certainly boost up the company's sales quite a lot. After all, who wouldn't want a wireless device that can access any web page, play video content and also provide full-featured GPS navigation, all for under $500?


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