Archos 101 XS Tablet With Built-in Keyboard Station Will Go on Sale in Early November

Archos has been quite the little busy bee in these past few months, considering their long-term strategy and efforts to gain more market share in the oh-so-crowded slates business. And while the primary focus seems to rest with the entry level priced devices, the multi-media French corporation has officially announced it has plenty to offer. The new revelation is the 10-inch (1,280 x 800 screen resolution) Archos 101 XS tablet, which is due to come out in November.

The tablet itself will almost definitely include the Android OS, although we don’t know if this will be the Ice Cream Sandwich or the newer Jelly Bean version, by the time it will be released (Update: According to Archos the 101 Jelly Bean upgrade will be delivered by October 2012). Under the hood, we’re also looking at a 1.5GHz dual-core TI OMAP-4470 processor, alongside a 1GB of RAM, 1.3-megapixel camera, and 16GB of internal storage.

But the biggest benefit of this XS tablet, which is set at $399, is of course the keyboard dock (AKA: Coverboard) that serves both as a full-fledged typing surface and a nice protective cover case — That sticks magnetically to the chassis. In addition, it will be sporting a standard USB 2.0 hub, mini-HDMI and a microSD card slot.

To wrap this one up, Archos also announces a couple of docking solutions for added optional features, like the Boombox speaker dock, or the Cradle audio output, with a bunch of USB sockets and some other type of ports. Hit the break for the full PR and a quick look video.

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Denver, CO – (August 22, 2012) – ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, is pleased to announce the unveiling of its Gen10 XS tablet line. The ARCHOS 101 XS, a 10.1-inch tablet that weighs only 21 ounces and measures 0.31 of an inch thin, will be the first of this new line of extra slim AndroidTM tablets to debut mid-September followed by the release of the ARCHOS 97 XS and ARCHOS 80 XS later in 2012.

In addition to creating a new standard of thin for tablets, ARCHOS continues to push the technological boundaries with the innovative Coverboard, a unique magnetic keyboard conceived for each tablet model that will offer protection, a kickstand, docking and easy typing. The Coverboard is included in the box with each tablet.

The entire Gen10 XS line is GoogleTM certified, features Android 4.0 and allows full access to Google PlayTM featuring over 600,000 apps. The range will be upgradable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in Q4 2012.

“As the pioneer in the Android tablet market, we strive to continually push the technological boundaries of tablets and user experience,” says Henri Crohas, ARCHOS Founder and CEO. “We are taking our

tablets to the next level by releasing an entirely new design that will redefine thin while providing more functionality and a better price than any current Android tablet in the market.”

Magnetic Coverboard: 4 Steps Ahead

The ultra-thin magnetic Coverboard included with all Gen10 tablets enables users to protect, stand and dock the tablet as well as type with a full-size QWERTY keyboard.

Protect

The 0.2″ thick protective cover is secured to the tablet with magnets. To open, the Coverboard simply twists to separate and reveal the full keyboard and magnetic kickstand.

Stands

The magnetically guided docking system enables perfect alignment on the keyboard, eliminating the need for clips or stands. The integrated magnetic kickstand holds the tablet to the Coverboard as one solid unit, allowing users to sit back and enjoy their music and movies comfortably.

Docks

When docked the Coverboard is powered by the tablet providing hours of productivity. The Coverboard also has a DC in, so when it’s plugged into a power outlet the keyboard functions like a dock and charges the tablet.

Types

The Gen10 XS series come fully equipped with a chicklet-style QWERTY keyboard and a complete version of OfficeSuite Pro 6, a $14.99 value. This critically acclaimed application allows you to view, create, edit, print and share Word, Excel and PowerPoint files as well as open attachments and read PDF files. Combine that with a full QWERTY keyboard that also has intergrated Android shortcut keys for direct access to main tablet functions for the ultimate in productivity.

Play Anything and Share Wirelessly with the ARCHOS Media Center

ARCHOS Gen10 XS tablets come with tailor-made Media Center apps for full HD video, complete codec and format support, jackets & meta-data for your music, videos and wireless sharing over your home network. In addition, each tablet features a Video Carousel for a video library experience like no other including automatic jacket download and an easy to use search tool for finding title, series, actor, subtitle or other information. Other media center functions include:
• Wireless streaming, home file sharing and read media from external storage
• ARCHOS remote control app
Pure Android experience
Certified by Google, ARCHOS Gen10 tablets include full access to Google PlayTM, including DRM support for downloading books, music and movies.
• Play Apps and Games: Over 600,000 apps and games
• Play Music: Access millions of tracks and artists
• Play Books: Over 4 million books to choose from
• Play Movies & TV: Thousands of movies including HD titles, new releases, award-winning films
or your favorite classics.
Powered by an unskinned version of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, ARCHOS Gen10 tablets deliver a pure AndroidTM experience and will be upgradable to Android’s next OS, Android 4.1 or Jelly Bean. Additional features include:
• 1.5 GHz smart multi-core processor and 1GB of RAM
• Google’s suite of mobile applications including GmailTM, Google TalkTM, YouTubeTM and
Google+TM.
• Google MapsTM with Street View and Navigation
• Google DriveTM with 5GB of free cloud storage
Gen10 XS Series Accessories

The ARCHOS Gen10 XS series has an assortment of designed accessories including a Speaker Dock, Docking Station and protective carrying Pouches.

ARCHOS Speaker Dock: The perfect musical companion for your Gen10 tablet easily combines a sleek design with remarkable sound and quick charging station.

Archos Docking Station: An ingenious little product allows you to charge your tablet while providing a great viewing solution. It also includes USB ports and audio ports for easy connectivity to a hard drives and existing stereo system from your tablet.

ARCHOS Pouches: Provide protection and an easy carrying solution for tablet and Coverboard. They will be available in a large selection of colors and finishes.

Availability

The first tablet in the Gen10 series to be released will be the ARCHOS 101 XS. The 101 XS tablet, which is 15 percent thinner than the new iPad3, weighs only 21 ounces and measures 0.31 of an inch thin and will be in stores and online in North America starting in November with a suggested retail price of $399.99.

Additional specs for the ARCHOS 101 XS include:
• OMAP 4470 CPU with PowerVR SGX544 GPU
• 10.1-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution
• 16GB Flash Memory
• Micro USB, MicroSD (SDXC up to 64 GB), Mini HDMI
• WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0

For more information about the ARCHOS Gen10 XS tablet series and accessories, visit www.ARCHOS.com .