My 1st review of Dec 24th revisited. With the new firmware update I'd give this device a much higher end-score. 7.5 out of 10 or 75% of 100. Much if not all software issues with buttons cancelling each other out have been removed with the firmware update. Also the lag and flickering screen with the Archos mapping tool have been removed. Very nice. It brings the device up to a standard it really should have been when it was released. Read more below.

Mind you the old review still shows a very in depth real world experience with the device that may be interesting for people wanting to buy the device.

Where can you find the official new firmware:
http://www.archos.com/support/support_tech/updates_fwm.html?country=gb&l...

On this forum you can find information on how to root the system
http://www.arctablet.com/blog/forum/archos-gamepad/archos-gamepad-rooted/
Mind you rooting your device does void warranty.

minuses that remain:
- battery life is short (2-3 hours with 3D intensive games) longer with browsing
- thumb-pad is not a real thumb-pad but 4 individual buttons which seriously lessens the ergonomy of that part of the controls but still good enough for a lot of games actually.