Android e il mondo delle TV devono ancora trovare del tutto la quadratura del cerchio: i due poli si attraggono, ma spesso per unirsi percorrono strade un po’ accidentate o comunque non facilmente accessibili ai milioni di persone che stringono un modello col robottino tra le mani. Archos vuole quindi portare la completa esperienza Jelly Bean 4.1 sul televisore domestico e per rendere l’interazione più semplice (vero punto dolente della maggior parte di questi dispositivi) propone anche un completo controller con tanto di tastiera, utile per il gioco, ma anche per la navigazione o la chat.
Il dispositivo è atteso per la presentazione ufficiale al CES di Las Vegas e sarà disponibile sul mercato già dal prossimo mese, ad un prezzo di 130$ (circa 100€). Si tratta di un accessorio che esteticamente ricorda un po’ il Kinect di Microsoft, sul quale troverà alloggiamento una webcam in HD per le videochiamate ed anche unLED di notifica, in pieno stile Android. Il TV Touch remote dal canto suo supporta anche le gesture multi-touch ed include i tasti indietro, home e multitasking per interagire al meglio col sistema.
È importante sottolineare la presenza del Play Store, che rende il modello di Archos un “vero” Android in tutto e per tutto, inoltre ci fa piacere segnalare che il cavo HDMI, necessario per la connessione al televisore, è incluso nella confezione (cosa non sempre scontata). Il collegamento ad internet avviene invece tramite Wi-Fi, ma sono presenti anche una porta USB host per pennine o altri dispositivi, e uno slotmicroSD per espandere la memoria disponibile.
In attesa insomma della Google TV, quella che vediamo giungere da parte di Archos ci sembra un’ottima proposta e non ci faremo certo scappare la sua presentazione al CES di Las Vegas. Comunicato stampa a seguire.
ARCHOS Unveils TV connect – Future Ready your Existing TV – First and Only Multi-Touch for Android on TV
ARCHOS TV Connect features a multi-gesture TV Touch remote with game control mapping and an HD camera for video callsTo be debuted at CES 2013, LVCC Central Hall Booth # 153222013 International CESDENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ARCHOS, a pioneer in multimedia portable devices, is pleased to announce the ARCHOS TV connect, the only multi-touch “AndroidTM on TV experience” for your apps and games. The ARCHOS TV connect turns any HDTV into an Android powered smart TV providing the full Android ecosystem with a specially designed TV Touch remote.“As a pioneer in multimedia Android devices, we wanted to create a bigger, better way to enjoy Android”The TV connect allows you to control your TV just like a tablet – tap, swipe, zoom in, zoom out, select or type. With the TV connect users will be able to play games, stream videos, video chat in HD, email friends or surf the web all from their big-screen TV. The ARCHOS TV connect runs Android 4.1TM ‘Jelly Bean’ and will be available starting in February, 2013 for $129.99.“As a pioneer in multimedia Android devices, we wanted to create a bigger, better way to enjoy Android,” says Henri Crohas, Founder and CEO of ARCHOS. “The ARCHOS TV connect provides users with a multi-touch, multi-media Smart TV experience powered by AndroidTM.”Revolutionary TV Touch remote - A smartly designed remote for every task
- Pointer – Allows you to control your TV just like you would your tablet with a tapping and/or swiping motion
- Full multi-touch gesture support - Control your apps easily with zoom In, zoom out and rotate with ARCHOS developed unique gesture controls
- Full keyboard with Android shortcuts - The TV touch remote includes a full keyboard and Android shortcut keys including a key for voice controls and voice typing
Play Games on your TV - Critically acclaimed games at your fingertips
- Thousands of games available on your TV – Choose from over 700,000 apps and games on Google PlayTM
- Dual thumb sticks and buttons - Play all your favorite games with full gaming controls and dual analog thumbsticks
- ARCHOS Gaming Mapping Tool – Map the controls of games to the buttons and controllers of the remote for playing virtually any game on your TV – as recently introduced on the GamePad
Turn your TV into a Smart TV - Get a full web experience on your current HDTV
- Internet - Surf on the net from a big screen
- Online video streaming – Stream videos directly on your TV through YouTubeTM, Daily motion and other video applications
- Emails – Send and receive emails or share photos from your Facebook page with friends
HD video calls - Connect with a group of friends or family members on a big screen
- HD webcam - ARCHOS TV connect is equipped with an HD webcam for High quality video calling
- LED notification – LED lights notify you when you have an incoming calls while watching TV
- Compatibility with all popular video calling apps - Video chatting with Skype or Google TalkTM as a family from your sofa has never been easier
Multimedia Player - The ARCHOS TV connect includes the critically acclaimed ARCHOS Media Center applications so you can finally get control of your home media content, including:
- Best video codecs and format support - Read all your favorite video files with format and codec support including H.264 decoding in full 1080p HD
- Media Center Library - Tailor-made UI with automatic jacket, synopsis and subtitle download as well as library organization even for files stored elsewhere on your home network
- Easy home streaming - Stream your media content over your home network either through WiFi or Ethernet
- The right connections – Features HDMI (cable included), full USB host and micro SD slot
- Google™ Certified with Full Access to shop on Google Play™ – With over 700,000 applications, get all your favorite Android content on your TV including books, music, magazines and movies
ARCHOS at CES 2013 – Come experience the ARCHOS TV connect first hand during CES 2013 in Las Vegas, NV from January 8-11. In addition to the TV connect, ARCHOS will be showing off its new line up of tablets which include the recently announced GamePad and new entrants to the ARCHOS Elements line – the dual-core Titanium range and the quad-core Platinum range, both of which feature tablets with stunning 2048×1536 resolution IPS screens. The ARCHOS booth is located in Central Hall (15322) of the Las Vegas Convention Center.For more information about the ARCHOS TV connect or ARCHOS at CES visit www.ARCHOS.com.
