Archos is working on a second-generation GamePad tablet as a follow-up to the 7 inch gaming tablet that launched earlier this year. The Archos GamePad 2 passed through the FCC recently, and now a product page at the HKTDC website lets us know what kind of hardware to expect.
The new Archos GamePad 2 will be about the same size as its predecessor, but it’ll have a higher resolution display, a faster processor, and more memory.
The new tablet has a 1.6 GHz quad-core processor (which sounds like an RK3188 chip), a 7 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel IPS display, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB to 16GB of built-in storabe.
There’s also a microSD card slot for extra storage.
What makes this a gaming tablet are the D-pads and buttons built into the case. They make the GamePad 2 larger than most 7 inch tablets, but they let you hold onto the tablet by its sides, use your thumbs and fingers to mash buttons, and play games without your hands getting in the way of the action on the screen.
The tablet does have a capacitive touchscreen, but you can use button mapping software to control many games without using the touch panel.
Retail pricing hasn’t been announced, but you can pick up 500 units for $170 each if you want to buy wholesale. If I had to guess, I’d say that means this tablet will launch later this year for around $200 retail.
via ArcTablet
What software do you use to map touchscreen actions to the buttons?
Devices of this kind come with their own mappers, of course.
Not my type of device, but damn it looks sexy enough to make me want one regardless!
The biggest issue with the Gamepad 1 was the battery life. I certainly hope they addressed that.
That’s been a recurring problem for many Archos devices. Except my old Archos 5 500gb… that thing will play music for the entire work day – even without the external battery dock.
I’m pretty interested in this one. Been on a major 8-bit and 16-bit emulators/retro gaming kick lately. This tablet should handle those apps just fine.
omfg wrong again! archos, the sticks go on top a la the wii u gamepad. atleast they sprung for the rk3188 and for the wuv of god, please have a decent display.
Shut up lol. It doesn’t matter where you put the sticks. They need to be like the Vitas instead of retarded nubs.
ever tried a caanoo, those nubs are what they should use
I have a Caanoo, it’s okay (certainly better than the PSP nub), but not great. The new JXD seems to have console-style sticks, which sounds much better.
yeah even jxd got the layout right…just hope quality is up to snuff