Archos G9 Tablets Get 3G From Three UK

The Archos G9 range of touchscreen tablets, due for release this autumn, will be getting 3G connectivity from the Three UK network.

When Archos presented its touchscreen tablets back in June, it was clear that the firm had thought long and hard about how to find its place in the market. First of all, Archos' tablets are technologically attractive, notably thanks to Android Honeycomb, but the firm's commercial strategy is also pretty interesting. For starters, the tablets will be reasonably priced, but they'll also be available with an optional 3G key for boosted connectivity. This cuts production costs for Archos, as the firm doesn't have to make as many versions of the G9 to meet different user demands.

This week, Archos signed an agreement with Three UK to provide 3G network access for its tablets. Users will need to buy the Archos G9 3G Stick for an extra €49 (which we assume will end up being £49 in the UK) which fits seamlessly into the tablet for mobile data access. It really couldn't be easier—you buy the stick, plug it in, and then get 72 hours of unlimited surfing. Plus, it'll work just as well on the Archos G9 as on a laptop PC. Three is then offering pay-as-you-go top-up packages for one or several days.



Just ahead of the G9's launch in September, the deal with Three UK is a promising start that should help Archos win over 3G network providers in other countries. In any case, the Archos press department seemed quietly confident, stating that this was 'the first of a series' of partnerships.

As Henri Crohas, president and founder of Archos, explained when presenting the G9, the brand is in discussion with all kinds of operators. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to see mobile virtual network operators step up to provide data plans if big-name networks give the G9 the cold shoulder in some countries.

The G9 runs on Android Honeycomb and will be available with a screen size of 8" or 10.1" depending on which model you choose. All versions have a 1.5 GHz dual-core OMAP 4460 processor made by Texas Instruments, come loaded with an exclusive Archos media player and have direct access to Android Market—a first for Archos tablets.

Prices start at £249 for an 8-inch 8 GB G9 and go up to around £390 for a 10.1-inch 250 GB model.

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