It has always made sense for Archos' to make a phone given that they have been making standalone personal media players for years. Now we know they have a 5-inch Android tablet up their sleeve, but the company will release a phone-phone early next year says Archos CEO Henri Crohas.
The company will launch a smaller all touchscreen phone (around the size of the iPhone is our guess) in early 2010 that will run Google's Android and be powered by Texas Instruments' OMAP TM3 platform (the same that is in the Palm Pre). The 3G enabled smartphone will most likely be sold unlocked but also through carriers. My guess is that it will hit Europe before anywhere else.
Oh and don't forget Motorola announced its Android running CLIQ today. Mmm loads of Android landing in our hands. [Archos]
DISCUSSION
Looks like Archos are dropping Windows Mobile too.
With Sony Ericsson dropping it and HTC releasing more of their handsets with Android its a matter of time before Windows Mobile is dead.
If that marketshare ends up in the hands of the vastly superior Android though it'll be a good thing.
It is an extremely good mobile operating system in every regard I can't wait for these handsets.