[darklord]

MUMBAI, India — It looks like an iPad, only it's 1/14th the cost: India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 basic touchscreen tablet aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production by 2011. If the government can find a manufacturer, the Linux operating system-based computer would be the latest in a string of "world's cheapest" innovations to hit the market out of India, which is home to the 100,000 rupee ($2,127) compact Nano car, the 749 rupees ($16) water purifier and the $2,000 open-heart surgery.

The tablet can be used for functions like word processing, web browsing and video-conferencing. It has a solar power option too — important for India's energy-starved hinterlands — though that add-on costs extra.

"This is our answer to MIT's $100 computer," human resource development minister Kapil Sibal told the Economic Times when he unveiled the device Thursday.

The Associated Press: India unveils prototype of $35 tablet computer

Hope it makes to mass production at that price.

Mods: I think the thread deserves it's own space, more than in the gadgets section. Kindly move there if you think otherwise.

[sindabad]

I haven't looked at the details yet but want to say JAY HO!

[Digital Vampire]

$35 is pushing it really really hard..wow!. A decent LCD panel itself cost more than $20 unless the new ones from PixelQI has rammed down the production cost way down.

I only hope it would become a reality. Last time something like this was announced but turned out to be a major embarrassment later.

Any news about the specs?

[darklord]

Originally Posted by Digital Vampire

$35 is pushing it really really hard..wow!. A decent LCD panel itself cost more than $20 unless the new ones from PixelQI has rammed down the production cost way down.

The government is looking at a market rate of as low as $10 (may be with subsidy and probably only for students, but still ).

[shivshanker]

If only we can keep our Cities clean.. including corruption.

I am sure we could all do better, than 20$ too.

[SirAlec]

Call me a skeptic! but this will also go down the drain. With Indian Govt tender offering procedure, which involves lot of greasing every time, i am not very hopeful.

Remember Simputer project!!

[aerohit]

Originally Posted by shivshanker

If only we can keep our Cities clean.. including corruption.

I am sure we could all do better, than 20$ too.

If only we could support our own currency, and thereby our own economy, and thereby our standard of living.

INR 1500 !!

[sushantr5]

India's $35 Android tablet reportedly on track for January launch

India's $35 Android tablet reportedly on track for January launch -- Engadget

This is really good if this tablet sees light of the day.
If we are looking for cheaper CarPC alternative then this is it.

[darklord]

NEW DELHI: After hitting the roadblock for over six months, the Indian government backed ambitious low-cost tablet project is finally set to take off.

According to latest media reports, the low-cost $35 tablet codenamed 'Sakshat' is expected to launch by the end of this month.

India's $35 tablet launching this month - The Times of India

The price is more like $50 (Rs. 2200); still good enough. And the Rs. 1100 price for students will be fantastic.

[Bluengel180]

Its the same news article copy-pasted 3 times this year with only the dates changed /

[Ragul]

All we have on the Internet is mostly P0rn and Propaganda. Makes me shudder every time I imagine rural folks or school kids getting easy unsupervised access to the Internet.


--Ragul