The Archos 605 Wi-fi was ahead of its time – in fact, it may not look the mould, but it’s actually nearing its first birthday. Archos actually has made a solid name for itself as being a pretty popular iPod alternative, and it would very well have been the iPod killer had it not been for one thing hindering it from achieving its full potential.

Source: http://www.trendygadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/archos-605.jpg

It’s got a touch screen, already qualifying it to be an iPod Touch competitor. Speaking of its screen, it’s 800x480px, giving it a dramatic boost over the iPod Touch’s meazly 480x320px. It also comes with two styluses, keeping those fingerprints off the screen. Heck, it’s got arguably stronger wi-fi capabilities than the iPod Touch does. It comes in 30GB and 80GB variants – so what the heck is keeping it from stomping on Apple? Two things.

1. Marketing

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/images/pics/adyearend.jpg

Apple’s ingenius marketing schemes can’t be beat. And you definitely can’t hope to succeed in the Personal Media Player market without a strong marketing campaign; due to the fact that I’ve never seen a single one of Archos’ commercials, I’m going to assume that there is none (pretty ignorant, but I do watch a lot of TV). There also isn’t a major selling point; with the iPod Touch, it’s the gestures and the form factor, but with the Archos 605 wi-fi, it’s…nothing. Speaking of form factor, we come to our second point…

2. Aesthetics

After getting my hands on one of these ducklings, I realized that it was an ugly one. I didn’t actually go out to buy one, mind you – I did it the conspicuous consumer’s way and went to Future Shop to try it out.

• It’s huge.
  • I’m not even the pickiest person here: as long as it fits in any of my pockets, I’ll be fine with it. Too bad it doesn’t – it’s dimensions are amazingly huge and its really thick. Er, AnythingbutiPod would call it “clunky”, and I’m going to have to agree with that.
• It’s ugly.
  • Not that I’m shallow about it, but it really isn’t a looker. The Archos 605 Wi-fi goes for the “retro” 1980s styled look with rectangular buttons on the side. Why the heck would you need buttons if there is a touch screen? You should only need one button, and that’s to get to the iPod Touch menu.
• It’s got nothing on the iPod.
  • Combining these two features and contrasting them with the iPod Touch really kills it. The iPod Touch is well-known for its sleek, slim, flawless design. Where the iPod whispers elegance, the Archos 605 Wi-fi shouts clunk. Where the iPod can be looked upon, the Archos 605 Wi-fi can’t. I’m sorry to be the one to say this, but even if it was a universal remote control that came at half a bill, I’d still have to pass on such a horribly-designed unit.

Source: http://regmedia.co.uk/2007/06/15/archos_605_3.jpg

So will the Archos 605 Wi-fi be a great iPod Touch alternative? Yes, and no. It’s got the stuff on paper, but it really doesn’t have anything that can compare to the iPod Touch in the looks department, I’m afraid. Archos, please revise the design and I think we might have ourselves a winner. Er, if you want, you could send me a sample and I’d be more than happy to help suggest improvements. Haha, stick around for the next iPod Touch alternative, folks.

Oops, forgot to mention, you can usually find this device for less than $300. Not a bad deal, to be honest.

Other iPod Touch Alternatives:

1. Olympus M:Robe 500i
2. Archos 605 Wi-fi
3. Cowon Q5W
4. Archos 706
5. Samsung P2

Runner Ups:

• Cowon iAudio X7
• iRiver Clix 2
• Microsoft Zune

As of recent times, the iPod Touch has presented itself as a typical, world-class iPod product. Usually with such scenarios, there are many other devices out there that can outperform for a smaller price, and we aim to find one such device to fight the iPod Touch. Examples of successful iPod competitors would be Creative’s Zen Vision:M, Creative’s Zen V Plus, Microsoft’s Zune, Toshiba’s Gigabeat, just to name a few.

What classifies a product as an iPod Touch competitor? First and foremost, they have to have a touch-screen – and such a unique requirement already weeds out a good portion of the portable media player market. Next, they had to be dedicated digital audio players, meaning that PDAs and cell phones are going to be left out of the picture (yes, even the Walkman). For the products that I felt couldn’t be left out of the picture, I put in the Runner Ups – they’re all what I’d consider to be somewhat “Touch-impaired”, but still worth taking a look at.

Source: http://www.menstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/ipod-touch-16gb.jpg

Throughout the next couple of weeks, we’ll be taking a look at some of these iPod Touch alternatives and I’ll be telling you what I think of them. Do they stand a chance? You can bet your behind they do.

1. Olympus M:Robe 500i
2. Archos 605 Wi-fi
3. Cowon Q5W
4. Archos 705
5. Samsung P2

Runner Ups:

• Cowon iAudio X7
• iRiver Clix 2
• Microsoft Zune