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LAST October, this column reported that India unveiled the world’s cheapest tablet computer, a feat actualized under a programme of the Human Resources Development Ministry called National Mission on Education Through Information and Communication Technology (NME-ICT).
Branded Aakash, the tablet PC was to be sold at the price of US$35 to post-secondary students. I further reported that two years earlier, the government of India had announced its intention to launch a low-cost computing device. Aakash was developed and manufactured by DataWind in partnership with IIT Rajasthan, under the programme mentioned above.
To refresh memories, Aakash is a seven-inch Android 2.2 touch screen tablet that has an HD video co-processor for a multimedia experience and core graphics accelerator for faster application support, and comes with DataWind’s UbiSurfer browser.
The device includes Wi-Fi connectivity and support for optional 3G modems.
Two USB ports are integrated into the unit allowing pen-drives, external keyboards, webcams, dongles and other peripherals to be attached, according to DataWind CEO, Suneet Singh Tuli.
Cheaper tablets from India
Barely six months after this, the Indians, not resting on their oars, have launched tablet PCs even cheaper than Aakash.
The India Today newspaper in its online edition of Monday 27 February reported that competition has arrived for Aakash with the launch of three tablets.
Here is the story, from the paper’s portal: “Giving a tough competition to low-cost Aakash tablet , The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has now launched three tablets priced at Rs.3250, Rs.10,999 and Rs.13,500.
“The first tablet has a 7-inch screen with a resistive touch and runs on Android 2.3 operating system. The second comes with 7-inch screen and the third tablet comes with an 8_inch screen, both of which are capacitive but with a higher price.
“These tablets are designed keeping in mind students’ need. Also, the tablets come with a promotional offer of three_month free data download. BSNL is also giving 2G SIM along with all the tablets. “Developed by a Noida based company — Pantel technologies, the tablets will be sold at data plans from BSNL at reduced cost.”
With this development, IT penetration into the deep recesses of Indian population is almost guaranteed as the cheapest tablet is getting even more affordable at Rs3,250. If this magic happened here, nearly every secondary school student, even in those in primary schools will have one each. At current exchange rates, Rs 3250 equals N4,368.
Help our OEMs
That means with less than five thousand Naira, our children can have tablet PCs, and connect straight to the 21st century knowledge society.
But where we are, I still don’t see how this can be achieved here, despite the fact that we have more than what it takes to achieve. We have the manpower, we have the know-how, we have the market; if the telecoms sector can grow so fast with diesel power, its IT twin can also grow.
There is need for a conscious, deliberate, sustained effort to empower our OEMs so that ICT solutions like Aakash and BSNL’s of India can be delivered here. If we don’t take action on this, all that talk about Vision 20-2020 will remain talk; nothing happens with ordinary gas.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/02/cheap-tablets-from-india-lessons-for-us/
Branded Aakash, the tablet PC was to be sold at the price of US$35 to post-secondary students. I further reported that two years earlier, the government of India had announced its intention to launch a low-cost computing device. Aakash was developed and manufactured by DataWind in partnership with IIT Rajasthan, under the programme mentioned above.
To refresh memories, Aakash is a seven-inch Android 2.2 touch screen tablet that has an HD video co-processor for a multimedia experience and core graphics accelerator for faster application support, and comes with DataWind’s UbiSurfer browser.
The device includes Wi-Fi connectivity and support for optional 3G modems.
Two USB ports are integrated into the unit allowing pen-drives, external keyboards, webcams, dongles and other peripherals to be attached, according to DataWind CEO, Suneet Singh Tuli.
Cheaper tablets from India
Barely six months after this, the Indians, not resting on their oars, have launched tablet PCs even cheaper than Aakash.
The India Today newspaper in its online edition of Monday 27 February reported that competition has arrived for Aakash with the launch of three tablets.
Here is the story, from the paper’s portal: “Giving a tough competition to low-cost Aakash tablet , The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has now launched three tablets priced at Rs.3250, Rs.10,999 and Rs.13,500.
“The first tablet has a 7-inch screen with a resistive touch and runs on Android 2.3 operating system. The second comes with 7-inch screen and the third tablet comes with an 8_inch screen, both of which are capacitive but with a higher price.
“These tablets are designed keeping in mind students’ need. Also, the tablets come with a promotional offer of three_month free data download. BSNL is also giving 2G SIM along with all the tablets. “Developed by a Noida based company — Pantel technologies, the tablets will be sold at data plans from BSNL at reduced cost.”
With this development, IT penetration into the deep recesses of Indian population is almost guaranteed as the cheapest tablet is getting even more affordable at Rs3,250. If this magic happened here, nearly every secondary school student, even in those in primary schools will have one each. At current exchange rates, Rs 3250 equals N4,368.
Help our OEMs
That means with less than five thousand Naira, our children can have tablet PCs, and connect straight to the 21st century knowledge society.
But where we are, I still don’t see how this can be achieved here, despite the fact that we have more than what it takes to achieve. We have the manpower, we have the know-how, we have the market; if the telecoms sector can grow so fast with diesel power, its IT twin can also grow.
There is need for a conscious, deliberate, sustained effort to empower our OEMs so that ICT solutions like Aakash and BSNL’s of India can be delivered here. If we don’t take action on this, all that talk about Vision 20-2020 will remain talk; nothing happens with ordinary gas.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/02/cheap-tablets-from-india-lessons-for-us/
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