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Monthly Archives: September 2012

1

When the Gen10xs line-up was announced, we were expecting that all the tablets will run on the same chipset – the TI OMAP4470. As it now turns out, it would be too easy for Archos. Today, some Archos 80XSK device appeared on GLBenchmark.

The interesting part is not only the added “K” to the 80xs name, but also the system information that was made available by Archos engineers.

Furthermore, the GLBenchmark data tells us the display resolution will be 1024×768 pixels, the CPU will be able to run clocked between 252 and 1608Mhz(that’s ~100 Mhz higher than in 101xs) and the included GPU is a Mali-400 one(confirms there is RK3066 inside). Possibly, Archos swopped the CPU to reach an 199€ price point for the 80xs. The left questions are what will the 80xs offer above the 149€ 80 Cobalt and whether Archos will also adjust its media ssoftware to work on the RK3066 platform?

Source: GLBenchmark |

3

While the Arnova website doesn’t mention much specifications for the Arnova 10d G3, we found it to be an ordinary OEM model, just like the Arnova 10c G3 and Arnova 7h G3. This time the Zenithink Z1000 model was taken and the modifications made are the addition of 512MB RAM and the reduced flash memory to 4GB.. The thing about the VIA8850 processor is – while it is based on Cortex A9 architecture, it is actually still a silly single-core processor and provides simillar performance to Allwinner A10. Here is the picture of the Z1000 model:

For those wanting to see the performance of the 10d G3, here is the video from Charbax about a tablet which uses the same chipset:

And here are the expected specs for the Arnova 10d G3:

Operating System Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
CPU Single-core VIA 8850 running @1.2 Ghz (ARM Cortex A9)
Integrated GPU: Mali 400 (single-core)
Flash Storage Memory Capacity: 4 GB
System Memory 1024 MB
Additional storage Micro SD slot (SDHC compatible)
Display TFT LCD 10 inches capacitive 5 points screen
1024×600 resolution
Bluetooth No
Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
Gravity Sensor Yes
Camera 0.3Mp (front facing)
GPS No
HDMI Yes (mini HDMI)
Interfaces Full size USB Host
Micro USB slave 2.0: Mass Storage Class (MSC)
MicroSD slot
Battery TBC
Google Play Store No Has Archos own Marketplace, Appslib
Kickstand No
Dimensions 200 x 127 x 10 mm
Weight 590 g

Thanks to McBub for the info on the model. The Z1000 is being offered there for 139$ incl. shipping, so let’s hope Archos will offer it for a reasonable price too. More Arnova G3 stuff is still on the way, we are talking about the GBook which will feature a RK29xx processor and the FamilyPad based on the Allwinner A10. ;)

0

The ARCHOS 101 XS gets a new firmware just a few days after the product is selling. While the pre-release product we tested (see our review) was already very stable, it’s good news that Archos is following well their product. This firmware release focuses on Media Center (Archos Video and Music player application) fixes and power consumption improvements.

According to the release information, the detailed changes are the following:

Version 4.0.24 – September 27th, 2012
  • Power consumption: improved product video battery life
  • Media Center Video: add ability to apply new information on whole TV show serie/season/episode
  • Media Center Video: possibility to change video poster in video info view by clicking on the poster
  • Media Center Video: display TV show season poster in background of the list view
  • Display: larger more visible mouse pointer on TV
  • Keyboard: fix focus issue in gmail when pressing backspace
  • Accessories: add notification on accessory connection

Archos 101 XS G10 4.0.24 Firmware download

firmware_archos_it4x.aos

Firmware update procedure at Archos.com

0

If you have been following the Arnova tablets story, we mentioned the existence of these devices not so long ago. They are now official on Arnova web site. These are rather basic models: the Arnova 7h G3 is the entry level 7 inches tablet, with 512 Mb RAM, ARM Cortex A8, 1 GHz CPU (probably Boxchip Allwinner A13) coming in a white case. The Arnova 10c G3 has similar specs to the 10b G3: 10.1″ screen, ARM Cortex A8 CPU, 1 Gb RAM. Finally the Arnova 10d G3 comes with an 1 Gb RAM, an ARM Cortex A9 @ 1.2 GHz CPU (probably a Rockchip RK3066 running at low clock VIA8850 CPU) and a nice case. Watch soon for a review of these marvels, well maybe :)

Arnova 7h G3


Arnova 10c G3


Arnova 10d G3


27

The Arnova ChildPad is an children-optimised Android 4.0 ICS Android tablet with great features for an affordable price. It comes with Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, featuring a Rockchip RK2918 CPU, 1 Gb of RAM and is available with capacitive or resistive screens. In addition to our first custom firmware which brings root and Google Play on the device, we are happy to provide another one to provide full Android 4.0.4 experience, CWM Touch recovery and many other options. Though we developed this firmware with the ChildPad in mind, it should also work on Arnova 7d G3.

Changes over our previous kasty custom firmware:

  • Android 4.0.4 built from Evolution 2.3 for Cube U9GT2
  • CWM Touch Recovery built from Prestigio 5080B
  • Update fw files to 20120608 Official FW version (capacitive only)
  • Allow mass storage
  • Stability improvements
  • Camera enhacements
  • Smoother screen rotation
  • Change browser behaviour(keeps processes going on, for ex. playing music)
  • Google Ears included
  • Face Unlock
  • Apex Launcher
  • Fix disappearing icons after performing a reboot
  • Fix Google+ and Google Talk issues
  • Fix Google Calendar Sync issue

This firmware also features full Google Play support and read/write access to /system partition.

Arnova ChildPad custom firmware install procedure

Before starting, please make sure you backup all your existing apps, data and files that are on your tablet as they will be erased during the flash process. Also make sure your device is connected to the power.

Step 1. Download

AN7DG3-CP20120919EV2.3 | ONLY FOR CAPACITIVE SCREEN MODEL |

This firmware is specific to the Arnova ChildPad and 7d G3 capacitive screen models and should not be installed on other devices.

WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DEVICE.

THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE IS USED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

WE RECOMMEND TO FLASH THIS FIRMWARE ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO RESCUE A BRICKED DEVICE USING ROCKCHIP FLASHING TOOLS.

Download the file from above and extract the custom firmware files on your computer hard drive.

Step 2. Installing the driver

Please follow the Rockchip Flashing tool procedure: that will explain how to download Rockchip flashing tool, put your device into flashing mode and install the driver. Because we are using a different setup here(otherwise we would have to build six different firmwares), you only need to follow steps 1-3 from that tutorial.

Step 3. Installation

Run EvolutionRKTool program from the first archive. Check that your tablet is connected by usb and is put in the recovery mode. RKAndroidTool should say “Found RKAndroid Loader Rock Usb”. There are three parameter files in the Loader folder. Select one of the three, corresponding to the size of the Apps partition you want to have(parameter for 512MB, parameter-1G for 1GB and parameter-15G for 1.5GB). Now tick the other boxes as shown on the picture below.

Now, click on EraseIDB. After the proces is finished(should take around 15 seconds), click on Run. When the CWM Recovery will show up on the device, choose Reboot System now. After a couple of minutes, the Start-up Wizard should appear. Please note that the wizard itself may be a little bit slower than the stock one from Arnova.

Tips&Tricks

Improving screen density. 

The procedure is explained on our forum. After applying, don’t clear cache and/or data of Google Play, as not all the apps will be visible then.

Kaspersky Mobile Parental Control.

With this custom firmware, we decided not to install the Mobile Parental Filter app from Profil Technology. If you still want one, we recommend to use the one from Kaspersky, as it is free and has more options than the stock one on the ChildPad.

Setting up parental filtering on Google Play

This custom firmware will open your ChildPad thousands of applications in Google Play, but you may want to enable filtering, so your little ones do not see applications they are not supposed to see.

To achieve this, start Google Play Store, go to the upper right corner menu, click on it, select Settings

Scroll to “User Controls” section, click on Content filtering item

Make sure that only “Everyone” rating is checked.
According to Google, “Everyone” setting should not contain objectionable material, where “Low maturity” setting may include mild cartoon or fantasy violence or other potentially offensive content.

Let us know how it works for you in our Arnova ChildPad forum.

20

ARCHOS 97 Carbon is an Android 4.0 ICS tablet featuring a great 9.7″ multipoint IPS screen, Rockchip RK2918 CPU and 1 Gb of RAM. The device comes unrooted and with a limited space for applications (500 Mb), we have modified the stock firmware to add full root, with write access to /system and 2 Gb extended space for applications. Guess what, this firmware works on Arnova 9 G3 too !

ARCHOS 97 Carbon custom firmware features

  • Full root support with writable /system partition
  • Root access is controled thru SuperSU.apk v0.95 (free version), a cool upgrade to SuperUser.apk by XDA developer Chainfire
  • Storage space for application (/data partition) extended to 2 Gb

    • Stock firmware offers about 500 Mb storage space to install applications

    Our custom firmware extends it to 2 Gb

    Testing our ARCHOS 97 Carbon rooted custom firmware on the Arnova 9 G3

    Support the project!
    If our web site and applications helped you, thanks for supporting us by donating using the Paypal form below or visiting our Donations page. Donations will be used to pay the bills for our server hosting costs, tools and purchase new tablets to support.

    Install procedure

    Before starting, please make sure you backup all your existing apps, data and files that are on your tablet as they will be erased during the flash process. Also make sure your device is connected to the power.

    Step 1. Download

    Kasty custom firmware download (version 0.42)

    kasty-arc97carbon-40-042-2G.zip

    This firmware is specific to the ARCHOS 97 CARBON and Arnova 9 G3 and should not be installed on other devices.

    WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DEVICE.

    THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE IS USED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

    WE RECOMMEND TO FLASH THIS FIRMWARE ONLY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO RESCUE A BRICKED DEVICE USING ROCKCHIP FLASHING TOOLS.

    Download the file above and extract the custom firmware image (update.img) on your computer hard drive.

    Step 2. Install and run Rockchip Flashing tool

    Please follow the Rockchip Flashing tool procedure: that will explain how to download Rockchip flashing tool, unpack the archive, put your device into flashing mode and flash the custom firmware file that you have unpacked in Step 1.

    Step 3. ARCHOS 97 CARBON / Arnova 9 G3 flashing and restart

    After Rockchip flasher has transferred the custom firmware to the tablet, the device will restart and install the firmware. Finally you will be back to Arnova default startup wizard.

    You will find the 3 easy steps of the installation procedure in the following video, see how to get Google Play and root to the Arnova 9 G3 in less than 10 minutes, it works the same on the ARCHOS 97 Carbon.

    Let us know how it works for you in our ARCHOS 97 Carbon forum.

    Great thanks to BlueSKYRiver member on our forum for his help with the firmware dump and tests.

    0

    We already mentioned the 97 Xenon a few weeks ago and suggested that it will be the next tablet to be announced by Archos in the Elements range. Today Archos quitely revealed its new device. The 9.7″ tablet will feature an IPS screen, 1.4Ghz single-core processor from Qualcomm(we assume that by looking at the Arnova 7c G3 specifications) and 512MB of RAM. Just like all the other Elements, it will come with the whole suite of Google Apps.

    Just like the 97 Carbon, it also has a 2.0Mpx camera on its back.

    No pricing details have been released yet, but we expect it to be priced between 299 and 349EUR. Here is a specifications list for those that are interested.

    Operating System Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
    CPU ARM Cortex A8
    Qualcomm MSM8255 @1.4GHz (TBC)
    Flash Storage Memory Capacity: 4 GB
    System Memory 512 Mb
    Additional storage Micro SD slot (SDHC compatible up to 32GB)
    Display 1024×768 IPS
    Capacitive MultiTouch
    Bluetooth No
    Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
    Gravity Sensor Yes
    Camera 0.3 MPx front-facing only 

    2.0 MPx back
    GPS Yes
    HDMI No
    Interfaces MicroSD slot

    USB host
    Android Market / Google Play Yes
    Kickstand No

    1

    The wait is over, ARCHOS 101 XS has finally made it to their online store, apparently with immediate availability. The ARCHOS 101 XS is the latest 10″ ultrathin tablet with magnetic keyboard cover, it is powered by a TI OMAP 4470 CPU. Prices are 379.99 euros or 299.99 UKP. Don’t forget to check our ARCHOS 101 XS review if you want to know more about the tablet.

    The 101 XS is available with different keyboard layouts depending on the country where it’s sold:
    – AZERTY in France
    – QWERTZ in Germany
    – QWERTY for the rest of the world

    China Ebay like site taobao.com is listing the ARCHOS 101 XS items since a few days at price between ¥2285.00 (Chinese Yuan, about $362) and 2499.00 Yen (about $396)

    The product is also showing for pre-order on Amazon in Germany and few online stores in France (CDiscount, Topachat, FNAC).

    12

    Cube Chinese tablet manufacturer keeps improving their Android tablets, their latest Cube U9GT5 is equipped with a 2048×1536 pixels, 9.7″ IPS screen. This high definition display gives a pixel density of 264 pixels per inch (ppi), just the same as Apple 3rd generation iPAD.

    Cube U9GT5 specifications

    CPU: Rockchip Dual-Core Cortex A9 RK3066 CPU running at 1.6GHz
    GPU: Quad-Core Mali400 GPU
    RAM: 1 Gb
    Storage: 8 or 16 Gb
    Bluetooth, WIFI
    Camera with flash

    Price and availability currently unknown.

    Cube U9GT5 benchmarks video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwhkZG8X1E&feature=player_embedded

    Via phonandroid.com

    3

     

     

     

     

     

     

    While Archos tends to spend too much time on releasing more tablets in the Arnova G3 line-up, we tend to spend too much time on checking the new images on Mr Blurrypress and the FCC pages. Actually, we already mentioned the 10c G3 a few weeks ago, but we didn’t know much back then. Anything interesting?

    For the specs for the 10c G3, which looks pretty much like the Arnova 7h G3, we visited the YF Tech website and found one 10.1″ model.

    10.1″ Tablet PAD MW13-1001

    Features
    1. CPU: All Winner A10, Cortex-A8 1GHz
    2. Screen: 10.1″ TFT, 1024×600 pixels
    3. CTP:G
    4. 1GB DDR3, 8 GB FLASH; optional: 16 GB FLASH
    5. WIFI: IEEE 802.11b/g/n
    6. 0.3M front camera, optional: 2M front camera
    7. 3D G-Sensor, USB OTG&USB HOST, HDMI 1.4
    8. Battery: 5000mAh

    Not much to write home about for the 10c, but what about the 10d G3?

    Looking at the FCC documents, it looks like the 10d G3 will feature Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, microSD slot, full size USB-host, mini-HDMI and mini-usb ports, along with the volume buttons. Thanks to idealo.de cashing system, we also get to know the other specifications:

    1Ghz Cortex A8 processor, 1GB of RAM, 1024×600 display and Android 4.0. Pretty much the same specifications as the 10c G3 and not much different from the 10b G3. Still, some websites had the 10d G3 listed for 110-130EUR, which is slightly lower than the current 10b G3 retail price.

    Via: jbmm.fr | liliputing.com | FCC

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