Comments on: Archos 5 Android IT Second Impressions

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By: Ganjagorila

Ganjagorila — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:56:53 +0000

I currently have the A5IT and even though there is no real exchange support I was able to Get the work email client.apk and installed it on my A5IT. There’s no real support for contacts and calander but I am able to get work emails without issues. I used an app to sd application on my android Phone to copy over the Apk. Note not all Apk files will copy to SD.

By: Genghis Khent

Genghis Khent — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:20:03 +0000

gmich, thanks for verifying that Touchdown works without the hack. It seemed logical that it would, but you never know.

YouTube is still problematic. I suspect this will be fixed in a firmware upgrade.

I too use the MiFi with my A5AIT. The only problem with the MiFi is the battery life. So I bought an extra battery. With a MiFi, no need for a dedicated SIM, or built-in 3G for that matter.

By: gmich

gmich — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:43:06 +0000

The A5A with the 1.6 FW is working pretty well for me — and the market hack is fairly simple. I still get occasional freezes in YouTube or random slowdowns, but I use it daily, and paired with a Mifi it is a great mobile solution. Also, you can use Touchdown without the market hack. It’s available at the AndApp store, which you can access on the web and download their store app.

By: Genghis Khent

Genghis Khent — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:36:23 +0000

The Dell Mini 5 also can serve as a phone. Not clear if it has an earpiece, or not like the HTC Advantage.

Also unclear is if the Dell Mini 5 will be pocketable like the A5AIT, or not really, like the HTC Advantage.

Like you, I certainly will be keeping my eye out on this device.

By: Genghis Khent

Genghis Khent — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:29:36 +0000

I’ve now prefaced the PIM section with an appropriate warning.

By: Steve 'Chippy' Paine

Steve 'Chippy' Paine — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:39:19 +0000

Sounds like 1.6 + Google hack is working well for you. I might give it a second chance soon.
I’m currently not too positive about using the device for any business work but still use it every day at home.

If the Dell Mini 5 comes with true google Android however, I might be tempted!

By: Genghis Khent

Genghis Khent — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:19:12 +0000

Hi Chippy! Excellent points.

The 1.6 I’m running is what Archos pulled shortly after posting it around Xmas time. Archos said there would be fixed 1.6 within a few days. Nothing yet. No clear word either what was wrong with the 1.6 they pulled. The official reason was the browser, the scuttlebut was WiFi. I suspect from my own experience that WiFi is the reason; it disconnects too easily.

The hack works for free apps. For paid apps there is a kludge that only works until you reboot.

You may well be right — you know more about this stuff than I do — but I’m not sure Touchdown wouldn’t work but for the hack. I doubt it would be difficult to get the apk file outside of the market for the free trial, and you can activate it outside of the Android market, directly from the developer. And I’m not sure there’s anything about it that’s reliant on the Google Experience.

I’ll update my post after I get back from a memorial for a family member who recently passed away. Appreciate any further input you may have.

By: Steve 'Chippy' Paine

Steve 'Chippy' Paine — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:10:01 +0000

Hey. Nice to see a long term look again at the A5.

In the ‘Identity Crisis’ para you should mention that your A5 is actually not a true A5! (e.g. evololved to a hacked Google Android device)
PIM functions simply don’t exist on a stock A5.

How are you getting on with that hack though? I backed out.

Oh, and are we up to V1.6 on Android officially? (You mention it in exchange support.)
Sorry to be a picky so and so but I’m worried about people buying an A5 and wondering why they cant buy apps and cant sync contacts.

Chippy

By: Twitter Trackbacks for Archos 5 Android IT Second Impressions [genghiskhent.com] on Topsy.com

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:52:19 +0000

[...] Archos 5 Android IT Second Impressions blogs.genghiskhent.com/index.php/2010/01/ – view page – cached Several weeks have passed since my first impressions of the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet (A5AIT). I’ve spent a lot of time playing with it. As a result, [...]