Will Archos provide a $150 iPod touch Android equivalent?

With my trusty old G1 phone showing its age, I've been surprised at the lack of an Android-powered iPod touch-class device for gaming.

I did have a Droid, which didn't work in the UK as a phone, was a great wi-fi-enabled gaming device until I foolishly reset it and then couldn't get it reactivated. Doh!

The only options I can see is a Dell Streak - at £429 standalone too expensive if you're not buying it with a phone contract - or various tablets from Archos - too big either in 7- and 9-inch models (latter pictured).

Now however it seems that Archos' Generation 8 devices might fulfill my needs.

Five Android-based tablets in various sizes will be offered with the entry-level Archos 32 looking particularly good.

It's said to boast a decent 800 MHz ARM Cortex A8 chip, 8 GB of storage, and a 3.2-inch 400 x 240 pixel touchscreen. Other specs are said to include a VGA camera, USB 2.0, composite video output, a microphone, wi-fi b/g/n and Bluetooth.

OS-wise, it uses Android 2.1, which will be upgradable to 2.2.

However, the source of the information - US retailer JR.com, which had the device listed for $150 - appears to have taken the page down, casting doubt either on the features or the price.

In comparison, the cheapest equivalent 5-inch 32GB Archos 5 device currently available is $270.

[source: Archos Fans]