Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

Wrong. i didn't purchase my N800 because i didn't need a phone. I got it because it would be a nice addition to my phone. But I would rather have a tablet with phone cabalibilties than not. The N900 is almost right, but the screen is too small.

The N9 looks to be a perfect device, both phone and "tablet" in one; 4 inch screen, super camera, HDMI, real keyboard. Anything bigger than the N9 and I would be much better of with a netbook, which I already have.

A suggestion for everybody. Before you do something stupid, like buying an Android Tablet that is useless without a phone, or something even more stupid like an iWhatever. Sit down and think for a minute. Everything you need is in a device called the Nokia N9. The more I think about the N9, the more perfect it becomes :D Seriously!

Or at least get a Samsung Wave. Bada is cool :)

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

Thanks, Railroadmaster, for bringing attention to this. This is the form factor, price, lack of contract, more powerful processor, phone-free tablet I've wanted, although I'd have liked it to be Maemo/Meego from Nokia. But this is exactly what I want as a successor to the N800/N810: 4.3" screen in a 130 gram pocket-able package. It even has a kickstand.

(Silvermountain's UMPC alternatives, like the Viliv N5, weigh 388 grams and 300 grams -- way too much for me.)

I'm even happy they didn't waste money on the camera. If I want decent photos, I'm going to use a dedicated camera. 2 Megapixel is probably adequate for snapshots and for apps like the ones that identify things from barcodes.

I'm surprised you can't get Android apps for non-phone devices. That's mind-boggling to me, as there are Android tablets coming out. I would have to see how limited the functions are without apps. If I could perform the functions of my N800 without the apps (PDF viewing, browsing, book-reading, etc.), I'd be satisfied.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

It can still run all nonphone applications and you can still install any apk file and there should be a very simple Android Market hack. Also as for Maemo, Angstrom should be available as a special developer edition firmware. Angstrom is very similar to Maemo it is what powers the OpenPandora.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

I think this will also be a great replacement for my PSP-3001 which has been hacked, tweaked, modded, and messed with like crazy. I'm tired of the PSP's annoying limitations, lack of a newer version of Adobe Flash, and poor web browser. However the PSP still holds a special pace in my heart :). Though I did like the community support, games. emulators, the skype feature, themes, and other hack of the device.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

while google dropped the phone requirement with android 2.1 (2.2 added bluetooth), they still require 3-way accelerometer, compass, gps and 2mpix camera before they allow market.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

Well it does have the bluetooth, wifi, accelerometer, and 2mpx camera, but I doesn't have the compass or gps.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

What I have found from Nitdroid is that there are MANY Marketplace Android programs that are not worth using. I don't see what difference it makes if I have 1,000 extra worthless programs or 50,000 worthless programs. I haven't even had enough time to look at the worthless ones available in Nitdroid.

I myself only use maybe 20 programs. It's like a chess world champion once said when asked how many moves he thinks ahead: "oh, just one. The RIGHT one." I only use the right programs, so I don't need thousands of them.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

The one thing this Archos seems lacking compared to my N810 is a hardware keyboard. That is less serious when you are talking a 7 inch or 10 inch screen; at least you have a roomy keyboard to compensate, I assume. But a tiny keyboard on a tiny screen? Has anyone any impression of the keyboard on this thing?

On the issue of a phone: I have been considering buying a very small phone and carrying it with me usually, but getting a big tablet on the occasions when I'm sure I'll want to use it. When I'm on the train I will carry both with me. When I'm on a bus, say, I'll just carry the phone -- I'm not likely to use both. I will never just carry the tablet without also carrying the phone, which is why I want a small one.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

Seriously why is it whenever there's a competitors with better specs and better price the Maemo community's only argument against it is having a hardware keyboard. Seriously not every device is going to have a hardware keyboard. It kinda reminds me of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch owners whenever theres a better device that comes they always give oh my idevice it has more apps in its appstore b.s.

Re: Archos 43 Internet Tablet
 

You seem to have me confused with the Maemo community.

Did you ever try answering a question? Have you tried the keyboard? That is what my question was. I think the N900 non-hardware keyboard is lousy. Is the keyboard for the Archos better?