Yup they are. It sounds like there are some sour grapes between Archos and Google, especially when they talk about devices "that have finished the official android approval bureaucracy", which I guess means Archos didn't and so are not going to have Google Maps, GMail and the other Google apps along with not having access to Market (I think this is reasonably certain, why else would they set up appslib?).
Personally I've got some concerns about the Archos devices in the back of my mind. Threads like http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=23019&start=180 which talk about devices being unsupported a year or less after their release and threads like http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21909&start=0 which, on a board of fans of Archos devices, only 54% say they are "satisfied" with their current model Archos 5, doesn't fill me with a warm fuzzy feeling that their commitment to Android. What I have noticed is phrases in their financial statements (available at http://www.archos.com/corporate/investors/financial_rep_pr.html?country=gb&lang=en) where they seem to be saying that they'll profit from thousands of Android applications even though they're setting up a Google Market/AndAppStore/SlideME alternative which currently has about 20 apps listed. I have started to wonder if they see Android as a cost cutting measure that can be tweaked to their needs as opposed to wanted to become an active part of the Android community (has anyone seen any posts from them to any mailing lists or forums?). Given that you're looking at a $300+ device for the flash based versions according to http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=25450 (which makes them only slightly cheaper than an equivalent iPod) and the Archos will come without access to Google Market, and possibly without Maps, GMail etc., and could be like the Samsung Galaxy with a big spec memory but a only small amount for apps, it's looking less and less appealing to me. Still, September 15th will be interesting, they could come out with something amazing, or they could come out with an overpriced device powered by a "customised" version of android which doesn't work with existing tools like adb, no Google apps, and we could all end up disappointed. Al. -- * Written an Android App? - List it at http://andappstore.com/ * ====== Funky Android Limited is registered in England & Wales with the company number 6741909. The registered head office is Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, UK. The views expressed in this email are those of the author and not necessarily those of Funky Android Limited, it's associates, or it's subsidiaries. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hong Sent: 01 September 2009 20:31 To: [email protected] Subject: [android-discuss] Re: Email from appslib I got a few. I guess it's due to my multiple released apps. Interesting that they sent to the same email address multiple times. Appslib seems to be also working with Archos for its android tablet. On Tue, Sep 1, 2009 at 3:25 PM, Al Sutton <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: Anyone else get a generic email from appslib trying to drum up business by offering "truly international distribution to your apps" (huh?)? I'm wondering if they've been harvesting email address from cyrket or a similar market front end. Al. -- * Written an Android App? - List it at http://andappstore.com/ * ====== Funky Android Limited is registered in England & Wales with the company number 6741909. The registered head office is Kemp House, 152-160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, UK. The views expressed in this email are those of the author and not necessarily those of Funky Android Limited, it's associates, or it's subsidiaries. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Discuss" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-discuss?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
