Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Indian Tablet
India launched what it dubbed the world's cheapest tablet computer Wednesday, to be sold to students at the subsidized price of $35 and later in shops for about $60.
Most of India's 1.2 billion people are poor and products such as Apple Inc's iPad are beyond the reach even of many in the fast-growing middle class.
"The rich have access to the digital world, the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide," Telecoms and Education Minister Kapil Sibal said.
The government is buying the first units of the lightweight touch-screen device, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, for $50 each from a British company which is assembling the web-enabled devices in India.
A pilot run of 100,000 units will be given to students for free, with the first 500 handed out at the launch to a mixed response. It supports video conferencing, has two USB ports and a three-hour battery life but some users said it was slow.
India has a reputation for creating affordable products that are easy to use and sturdy enough to handle its rugged environment -- from Tata Motors' $2,000 Nano car to generic versions of pharmaceuticals.
tablet
Our very own Gadget Guru, Rajiv Makhni in exclusive conversation with Kapil Sibal about the growth, future and possibilities of the device
tablet-made in India
The device is 100% made in India and there is a sticker at the back to emphasize this fact. The device costs $37.98 to manufacture and will be available through retail for $49.98. The extra dollars include shipping and other costs
tablet
You will only be able to charge the device through a dedicated DC in. The 2100mAh battery will last for two or three hours depending on use
tablet
The device supports two full USB ports. You will not only be able to view content on the device but connect their internet dongle as well. (Photo Credit: Sameer Mitha)
India launches "world's cheapest" tablet computer
India launched what it dubbed the world's cheapest tablet computer Wednesday, to be sold to students at the subsidized price of $35 and later in shops for about $60.
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