Archos -PDA/Entertainment Device

[eric2002]

Without getting into too much detail, my current PDA..the NZ90 probably doesn't have much of it's life left. I've used it daily for over 2 years.. so I feel I have got my use out of it.

It's time for me to look for a replacement.
None of the palm one devices impress me, I don't want a PPC device (i've heard to many horror stories about PPC)...

I found this device the "archos pma 400" (http://www.archos.com/products/overview/pma_400.html)

-it's a pda that runs linux, has a 30gig hard drive built in, can record movies and TV directly from the TV, has built in wi-fi, and many other features.

I am curious, has anyone used this device??? does anyone own one??
What are your thoughts about this device???

[SamuraiCatJB]

one of my partners at work as "a linux" pda, I believe the zarus? anyhow, he is able to do most things on the pda that I would, though software is very different. exchanging information with me requires me to put it into text files to import and export between the two since palm really doesn't like talking to Linux through IR.

I can exchange no more than business card data with my project leader's PPC (dell), but I cannot do that much with my partner's linux PDA.

Outside of that I am wishing for some good changes in Linux PDA's in the future. :)

[Bionic Antboy]

In last weeks podcast about device design, I've made the argument before on these boards that there's no reason why a Palm developer can't make a device like the Archos, with Palm being the underlying OS and a "media friendly" launcher.

Think TH55 grafted onto an iPod (of course with media playing capabilities). It could definitely be sold at market prices.

If such a device was successful as a media player, it could be an opportunity for a whole new segment of the population to discover the Palm OS.

[eric2002]

it would be great if the archos device used Palm OS, although it does seem like Linux may be the future for Palm ???

The archos really intriques me for a variety of reasons.

I use my PDA for business and entertainment, however beaming notes and such to others isn't that necessary for me.

[SamuraiCatJB]

it would be great if the archos device used Palm OS, although it does seem like Linux may be the future for Palm ???

The archos really intriques me for a variety of reasons.

I use my PDA for business and entertainment, however beaming notes and such to others isn't that necessary for me.

hehe, yup. We don't beam too much now.... there are 3 PDAs in our department, one PPC, one Palm, one linux. :) makes it hard.

[eric2002]

Yep, I use beaming mainly for entertainment purposes rather than business.
Seems that at my work everyone has a different device running a different OS.

when I do beam, it's usually a program or game to a friend.

I am really considering the archos device as a replacement for my NZ.
What i especially love about the archos device is the large internal hard drive and the abillity to record TV shows straight from the TV. Recording off the TV was something Sony never gave us, unless you kicked down an extra $250 for their TV recorder.

[JAmerican]

That looks sick but Archos first mistake, no Palm OS. Not everyone know how to operate Linux or is used to Linux compared to PPC or Palm OS. They should have stayed in the playing fields, although Palm OS is declining :( .

JAmerican

[Bionic Antboy]

I haven't paid much attention to the Palm/Linux stuff (no point until something is available). Is the plan to release a Palm "frontend" that runs on a handheld linux hardware base?

I wonder if in the future, one could "install" Palm OS on a Linux PDA.... :D