For those of you interested in networked entertainment - specifically portable networked entertainment - this is a show you can’t miss. We spend some time with the Chief Operating Officer of Archos, Larry Smith. Archos is a pioneering portable media player vendor, being one of the first to deliver Wi-Fi connected portable media players. My discussion with Larry is pretty wide ranging, as we talk about how the new Generation 5 of Archos media players differs from previous generations, what Archos can do against the Apple freight train, and the likelihood of mobile broadband in the next generation of Archos PMPs.

Some interesting take-aways:

-55% of those who bought Archos PMPs in the U.S. last year bought the DVR Station add-on, effectively allowing themselves to make their portable media device a PVR

-25% of those who buy a PMP from Archos buy software add-on modules from Archos for new functionality. Archos is looking to take a more modular approach going forward as it allows them to reduce cost for their overall customer base while giving options to those who want to buy the modules

-They are looking at adding 3G connectivity such as WiMax in the sixth generation devices, as well as VOIP. My feeling is that the 3G is a potential, but that it may slip to later generations.

Anyway, lots of great info in this one as as Mike Wolf of ABI Research talks to Larry about the future of connected portable entertainment.
Take a listen :

download link

This entry was posted on Monday, July 23rd, 2007 at 11:26 pm and is filed under Archos, General, Podcast, Portable, Portable Media Player, wi-fi. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.