Archos has today unveiled a trio of new ‘Platinum’ tablets, with displays ranging in size from 8 inches to 11.6 inches. These are the most advanced tablets the French company has released to date, and it has clearly taken a leaf out of Apple’s book when it comes to design. Not only do they look a lot like the iPad from the front, they also have similar displays.

The 8-inch model offers a 1024×768 resolution, just like the iPad mini; while the 9.7-inch model has a very impressive 2048×1536 resolution, just like the third- and fourth-generation iPads with Retina display.

Archos launched its GamePad tablet in Europe back in December, and the company took the device to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week to show it off on the other side of the Atlantic. It has now confirmed that the device will make its debut in the United States in February, priced at a very reasonable $169.

Tablet gaming is evolving at an incredible pace. We can now play titles on our iPads and Android-powered slates that have graphics and gameplay that rival their console counterparts — and at a fraction of the cost. But I’ve always felt there’s one thing missing, and that’s physical controls.

The Archos GamePad solves that. It’s an Android tablet, on sale now in Europe, that boasts physical buttons and joysticks to provide you with an enhanced gaming experience on the go.

I’m sure you don’t remember, but back in March, ARCHOS announced a budget Android 4.0 device for kids called the ChildPad. Fast forward to today, and it’s now finally available for purchase. The ChildPad allows parents to give their children the educational and fun experience of a mobile media device without having to break the bank or their personal high-cost device.

Archos may be a month late on their promise to update their G9 tablets to Android 4.0 but it’s here now and they’re still ahead of many top manufacturers. Archos has begun rolling out Ice Cream Sandwich to their G9 lineup and if you’re the proud owner of a G9 7 or 10-inch tablet, you can expect to receive Android 4.0 in an OTA update soon.