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Archos PMA400 Linux Based Media Portable

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink dept.

freitasm writes "The new Archos PMA400 is a Linux based portable- entertainment/PDA/DVR/Internet device. It comes with wireless and ethernet LAN connections, plays Mophun and Qtopia and supports Microsoft DRM protected files (WMV, WMA). The company will release a SDK on its dedicated website sometime before the end of January 2005. The device will retail for around US$800."

6 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Wowee! Windows Media files! by TooMuchEspressoGuy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    supports Microsoft DRM protected files (WMV, WMA)

    It kind of figures that one of the major product features of a Linux-based handheld is that it supports a media standard championed by MS, doesn't it? I mean why not support open-source standards like OGG?

    --
    Many Bothans died to bring you this sig.
  3. Catch up with the times Archos... by }InFuZeD{ · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This thing looks really cool... I mean awesome, except for two things.

    First, it's $800. Second, it has a 320x240 screen. Who wants a screen that small anymore? You get better resolution on any $100 Palm now...

  4. Disclaimer: Linux not compatible with Linux by Random+BedHead+Ed · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The fine print on the product page is interesting:

    PC: Pentium® III 800 MHz or higher, Windows 98 SE (with driver downloaded from ARCHOS web-site), ME, 2000 or XP. 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended) with USB port and CD-ROM drive Mac: 9.2 or X (10.2.4) USB Manager version 1.2 or higher with USB port and CD-ROM drive

    So no sneaky using your new Linux gadget with Linux. Of course I'd imagine you could make it connect to the storage just fine, especially if it does USB Mass Storage.

  5. Re:No Thanks by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 2, Interesting
    else it'll sulk and stop playing them...

    So? You weren't going to play wma files anyway, were you?

  6. Editorial Content i.e. advertising by Eberlin · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There's a difference between advertising and endorsing. When there's an MS banner up top, that's advertising. When Taco posts what is clearly a product "review" it seems more of an endorsement. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it'd be nice if folks are a little more forthcoming with it.

    As a tech, when I talk about certain products, it kind of carries some weight...like I prefer that product over its competitors.

    On a somewhat related topic, I used to post web pages for a place that offered paying advertisers "editorial" content on their web site. Disguised as reviews, they were no more than actual press releases from the advertisers. I always thought it was a bit misleading.

    Now if they say something like "I got a PDA out of this deal -- Taco" I'd understand and be more accepting. :)