The teenage daughter’s birthday is coming up and she would like an MP3 player. Unfortunately she is very “hap hazard” in her life and chances are it will be lost or stolen within a six months. Yea, I know, making her pay for one herself might help, but I need to get her something for her birthday and she really wants a player. So $100 is about all I want to spend.

I’m thinking an Android based machine that is Wi-Fi connectable might be more fun and do more things than just an MP3 only player.

Any recommendations on a machine?

The only ones I can think of at the moment are the Archos devices. But the primary problem with those is that they aren't "with Google" devices. So it won't come with the Google apps, including marketplace.

Other than that the only "approved" Android device I can think of is the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi.

If what she wants is just a music player, and not some fancy computer/telephone/internet browser/etc., then you would be hard pressed to do better than this for well under $100 including the iPod Shuffle.

tanstaafl.

When you say "with Google" does that mean that Google android apps, or other off the shelf apss, can't be run on the player or they just don't cvome with hte player?

OK I'm thinking this....

https://store.archos.com/archos-internet-tablet-p-5002.html

... am I wrong?

The specs say 4 or 8 GB but they only list one price option. Googleing I only see 4 GB, hu?

Very odd...it looks like they just never released the 8GB version...or didn't do it yet.

Basically Android as an OS is open, like the Linux kernel. Anyone can download the source, compile it, run it on whatever. Then Google has a bunch of closed source proprietary apps they add in to enhance the experience. Things like the marketplace, Gmail, Google Maps and Google Voice are held behind the closed proprietary wall. To gain these features, a device has to pass a Google certification process and be approved for sale. Archos doesn't try to certify their devices, so they lack the Google apps.

Without the Google marketplace, you can still find apps on the web and download them manually, assuming developers have hosted their apps somewhere. This includes other competing marketplaces that other companies run, including the upcoming Amazon marketplace. I don't believe there is a legitimate way of adding the Google apps (as Google only offers them via Android updates for supported devices or via the Marketplace), but there are hacks to do it.

Thanks for the explanation. I was kind of hoping that Google voice (or at least the phone calling part) would work. She has a pay as you go phone (never trust a teen with anything else) so making phone calls from a Wi-Fi would be nice. Looks like that might be possible with some effort. Half working things are a good learning experience

I'm sorry, but Google Voice is not a VOIP service. It merely connects your phone's cellular service to another number. You cannot make calls without cellular service using Google Voice.

*edit*
Correction: the Google Voice Android app is not VOIP. You can do VOIP within GMail and the Google Voice webpage, but not from the app. You can also get voicemails in the app.

We have a few of the Sansa Clip MP3 players.

The compact size and simple display and UI work well enough.

The clip aspect works well too.

Yes, that's what I was referring to. Sorry I should have used the correct terms. I use this at home for long distance calls since I've canceled all but the basics on our POTS line. Works pretty good IMO.

If I end up with the Archos hopefully GMail+Voice will work.

I use it all the time on my computer at home as well, and I also use it on my phone. But I'm sorry, it won't work the way you want it to. It isn't like Skype. It has to have a cellular connection in order to place calls.

Here's and Android MP3 player for $20

Neat !

Darn, I was hopeing she could make calls from say the Wi-Fi at McDonald's or some other Wi-Fi place.

That's cool. Twisting the head to control it seems kind of sadistic somehow.

Its probably worth like $0.50 but its still quite neat

One thing I haven't looked into is Skype. Does anyone know if that works on non-Verizon phones?

Yeah. Google Voice currently works via special service numbers that you call and get calls from. They're working on a VoIP system though as they integrated it into the Gmail website and also purchased a VoIP software company called Gizmo5. No idea when or if they'll release it however.

As far as I know, Skype on Android is exclusive to Verizon. Works on iPhone and iPod touch though. If you want her to be able to do VOIP, iPod Touch is probably your best option.

Kinda wandering off topic here, but I've found Facetime to be much better than Skype for low-bandwidth voip (and video). The caveat being that it only works with other Facetime enabled devices.

Also, I'm unfortunate enough to live in a country where Skype is blocked on the national level, but Facetime is not.

Why is that?

Beat me to that question.

I'm going to guess, the local monopoly on telecommunications prefers it that way.

Almost all internet in Belize (other than satellite) comes through Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL). BTL is also the sole provider of land lines and long distance. It's also one of the two cellular service providers. Skype competes with their moneymaking business, so they've blocked it. They've not bothered with any of the lesser programs (ooVoo is popular here).

It looks like there's rumblings about people using SIP numbers to use Google Voice over IP. I'm not sure how easy it is, but it looks like it might be possible...

Its not an announced feature but you can call to a Google Voice number using SIP. It doesn't currently let you call out using Google Voice with generic SIP though. You have to use Gmail or have a Gizmo5 account from before if you want the ability to call out via VoIP only.

Read this post and linked posts for more information. It seems its not quite 100% as well.