Arcos have announced plans to create a WiFi mobile communicator device, intended as a companion to a normal cellphone and offer larger-screen access to the internet. In a French press release (which you can read after the cut), the PMP company describes a mobile terminal called “e-comp@gnon” to be developed in partnership with a number of research and telecom partners, and that would use WiFi connections for both internet access and multimedia.  A number of Archos’ models already offer internet access, such as the 605 WiFi, and it is unknown whether this new device is an adaptation of one of these or brand new. 

Suggested as the first of a number of devices, spanning price and feature points much as Archos’ existing PMP range does, the e-comp@gnon would seemingly not only be able to connect to a WiFi access point but form ad-hoc connections with other units, building a mesh network.  Possible uses for that could include geolocation, real-time information on public transport and education.

Archos have a financial review and new product presentation on April 22nd, and the e-comp@gnon is expected to feature there.  The initial trial of the device will be in Paris, France. 

Press Release (translated):

ARCHOS
Industrial pilot of a project within the pole of competitiveness SYSTEM @ ICT PARIS-REGION,
Announces funding under the 5th FUI.

Under the 5th call for projects in Fond Unique Inter, the company ARCHOS and its partners in the competitive cluster SYSTEM @ ICT are pleased to announce that the draft e-comp @ gnon, for a total amount of spending 6 , € 25 million, was selected for funding of € 2.55 million.
E-comp @ gnon
The main objective of this project is to define, design and develop up to the stage demonstrator communicating a portable terminal of a new type, called e-comp @ gnon, which harmoniously combines utility and entertainment. This new type of terminal, which complements an existing mobile phone where appropriate, offers the user the ability to display high-resolution and a wireless access efficient and comfortable to the Internet and many other services and functions that would currently required the use of a computer, more costly and cumbersome.
This terminal attractive subsequently lead to the marketing of a range of devices that offer a price / performance ratio before exceptional contribution to bridging the digital divide. E-comp @ gnon, who communicates by both Wifi mode infrastructure in ad hoc fashion to provide communications between devices, is a potential choice for innovative services and new scenarios for use in direct contact with daily life and that the project proposes to explore: uses in public transport, uses for education, services based on geolocation by Wifi…
Industrial Pilot Project: ARCHOS
Partners: Centre de Recherche et de Documentation Pedagogical Academy of Versailles, Deveryware Institute Telecom, INRIA, Open Wide, SNCF.

[via generationmp3]