Author: Bo Stone

So I just happened to notice Adobe Reader in the Android Market a few minutes ago, sitting there with less than 50 downloads!  What a sneaky little product release that was, Adobe.  This marks only the second title from the company, following last year’s Photoshop app.  The photo editing tool has seen over 250,000 downloads since launch so we fully expect Reader to hit that mark too.  A free official PDF client has long been asked for by fans.

Features listed in the market description include:

• Open PDF files as email attachments and on the web
• Interact with PDF files using advanced multi-touch gestures like Pinch zoom, Double tap Zoom, Flick scrolling & Panning
• Reflow view fits the page contents to the screen for easy viewing

After spending a couple of minutes with the app, we’re already hoping to see support for opening locally stored PDF files.  We’d love to sideload our Watchmen comics to read back on a 4.3-inch EVO screen!  BE ADVISED: Reader needs Android 2.0 or higher to install.

Last night I was both very pleasantly surprised and somewhat scared when I got email with the following snippet:

“Due to your contribution to the success of Android Market, we would like to present you with a brand new Android device as part of our developer device seeding program. You are receiving this message because you’re one of the top developers in Android Market with one or more of your applications having a 3.5 star or higher rating and more than 5,000 unique downloads.”

Naturally, I was reluctant since I’ve had one too many letters promising me everything from the free Viagra to 1,000,000.00 British pounds.  Further, the email was linking me to not very officially looking form at Google docs. So I inquired. Two emails and 12 hours later it turns that this is not a hoax or elaborate phishing attempt. Indeed, I was pointed to this article as proof that this is real.

Yes, I do have an app that qualifies and yes I filled up the form! I’m excited and I also think that this is a very, very smart move on part of Google which will undoubtedly recruit more developers.  For those who don’t qualify, perhaps this might push them to try harder to deliver better apps.  The devices offered vary by market but in US it’s ether Nexus One or Motorola Droid. No disrespect to you happy Droid owners but dear Google, can I have a Nexus pleeeze? I will keep you posted but it seems that Android-freebie season is in a full swing!

I got my free Archos 5 and spent a very lovely evening playing with my new toy. To be honest, I have very mixed feelings about the device, especially since I got it practically free.  I’m hoping that the good people of Archos will read this post and take some useful info from it.

The device sure has some looks! It may not be iYouKnowWhat but it is sleek, glossy and feels good in my hand. The screen is bright and beautiful though the “touch” part is somewhat sluggish. It started up out of the box no problem and I was pleasantly surprised that after updating the firmware (no automatic notification though) I was running Android 1.6.

As many people noted before me, things are running fast on Archos 5 – noticeably faster than on my MyTouch 3G. The video playback is nice and clear and it is refreshing to be able to watch Flash-based movies.

What is killing the device for me is absence of everything Google. Yes one can use the browser to check email, etc. However, not having Google apps really kills the gadget for me. I would strongly advise (not that anyone is asking) any manufacturer or carrier not to monkey with Google-things in Android. It leaves gaping holes in functionality and frustrates heck out of the user. I’m not even going to comment on Appslib market app. The Google Market could use some improvements but it feels like walking from Bloomingdale’s into a flea market.

My last chance before the gadget hits eBay is to hack it and install missing Google stuff, but really, good engineers of Archos,  please stop reinventing Android where it does not need reinvention. Call Google, try to cut a deal, it will do you much good.

Am I too harsh? What is your take on Archos? What is your experience?

P.S. No eBay. Since I wrote this post few weeks ago I grew rather found of my Archos 5. Installing missing Google apps was super easy and the snappiness of browsing, gorgeous screen and ability to watch movies and read eBooks in bed (and for my little daughter play Flash-based games) is very addictive. Matter of fact I’m thinking of investing another $39 into HD plugin not so much that regular AVIs look bad but it’s just annoying to not being able watch mp4. And with rumored support of 2.1 in the nearest future Archos 5 may turn my favorite gadget.

But still I’m standing by my original point – not supporting Google stack is bad business decision. Yes it may save some hefty $$ at the beginning but loosing your customers due to the lack of official Google support is totally shortsighted especially when your competition is gearing up. Wake up good people of Archos and shell some dineros, pleeeese…

Recently, I turned on my Archos 5 tablet for my nightly reading and found notification for the firmware update (1.7.77). Alas it’s still Android 1.6. The update went without a glitch but if you are wondering what was includes here’s rundown from the Archos support site:

• Extended Bluetooth™ support for cellphone tethering (DUN and PAN)
• System monitor application to close background apps or services and free up memory without affecting other running apps
• Improved handling of WMV9-HD video files

Do any of you guys have the Archos 5?  Considering the Archos 7 when it comes out?  Thoughts on the Dell Mini 5 as compared?

Here’s something hot: apparently Google is not going to leave Apple alone. Here is article from SMH referencing mockups from Google’s own Glen Murphy. Oh boy, I think I’m seriously in love.

How long you think we have to wait? Not too long giving that Steve announced the iPad somewhat prematurely, as noted by the lack of many basic features consumers were looking for.