Archos recently started offering a software update for its latest tablets bringing Android 4.0.3 to the Archos 80 G9 and Archos 101 G9 tablets. Now the company is starting to sell those tablets with Google’s latest operating system preloaded.
The order page for the US Archos Store still lists Android 3.2 Honeycomb, but the company homepage has a “powered by Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandiwch'” message. And EuroDroid noticed that the tablets are now shipping with Android 4.0 in the UK.
The Archos G9 tablets feature ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core processors and are available with 8GB or 16GB of flash storage or a 250GB hard drive.
While the Archos 80 G9 has an 8 inch, 1024 x 768 pixel display, the Archos 101 G9 has a 10.1 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel screen.
Even with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, these were the first two tablets from Archos to feature Google certification. That means that they were the first tablets from the company to come with the Android Market, Google Maps, Gmail, and other Google applications installed.
Android 4.0 brings a streamlined user interface, system-wide spell checking, a new People app, and other improvements.
Tablets from Archos tend to have plastic cases that feel cheap when compared with top-of-the-line tablets from Apple, Acer, Asus, Samsung, and others. But Archos G9 tablets tend to be cheaper, with starting prices of around $269.
Very cool. Â I’ve had my eye on the 8″ 250GB model since it came out… have to watch and see when 4.0 models hit US retailers.
Now, if someone would just make a good keyboard case for them…