What are Archos’ and Apple’s respective policies on accessories, and what do they bring about ? That is the question !

Apple’s popularity raises the interest of many accessory manufacturers, which has both a nice and a dark side. You have a huge amount of available accessories, and plenty of interesting ideas coming from everywhere. You may, for example, make a VCR out of your iPod (thanks to the iRec), though it will suffer huge limitations. You may also make a choice among an overabundance of docks, soudstations, cases, remotes or FM transmitters, but very few of these accessories offer a decent compatibility with the iPod Touch ! For example, the iPod’s video output being purposedly limited by Apple, do not even think about using your touch with a TV-display dock... Most of remotes and FM transmitters d not work either. In short, here is a whole market to rebuild for Apple, for its trapped customers and smart azccessory manufacturers... En l’état, l’iPod Touch

Obviously, Archos’ products not selling as well as the iPods, accessory manufacturers do not hurry at releasing products for Archos (except for cases), so the accessory policy strongly differs from Apple’s. Archos are forced into designing their own accessories to please their customers. You may purchase a video camera (Helmet CamCorder), docks (for quick battery reloading and TV-screen display), a remote (not available yet) and the DVR Station. These accessories offer more or less important features ; the helmet Cam is more of the gadget while the DVR Station opens a new dimension.

The DVR Station allows you to transform your Archos 605 into a real MultiMedia Center, with the TV program available online, schedulable numeric recording, internet browsing onto the family’s TV screen... It’s Archos users’ favorite choice and no mistake. The minidock offer the features the the French firm had withdrawn from the 605 to lower its price, like the USB host port, or TV output (plus an additional battery on the Battery Dock)

 Winner : Archos

 Score : Archos 7-5 Apple

 Next article : Round 13 - Point count or KO victory ?