World’s cheapest tablet gets major upgrade
Device expected to make big splash in market in coming months
India has announced details of an updated model of what the country is calling “the world’s cheapest tablet computer” — the Aakash 2.
The Aakash 2 will feature several updates, but still retain its low price.
It is a new version of the 2011 tablet, the Aakash 1, and will feature a faster processor, longer battery, and more programming capability.
The Aakash 2 is built primarily for students enrolled in India’s universities, and will be sold for 2,263 rupees, or $40USD.
The country believes that these low-cost, web-capable tablets will help revolutionize internet access across India.
Problems with the Aakash 1
Last year, there was some hold-up with schools receiving the Aakash 1. While details on what caused the delay weren’t exactly offered outright to the media, Indian blog Medianama was able to uncover some information pertaining to the issue via a right to information request. In the report, the site found that 572 of the devices total were actually distributed in the first go-round of the program, reaching only 20 colleges.
“There was some delay in taking the project forward for reasons I don’t want to get into,” explained Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal to a group of students gathered to see the unveiling of the Aakash 2.
All of that being said, it should be interesting to see how well Datawind handles the project this time around. The UK-based company will be in charge of manufacturing the new model despite criticism for their failure to deliver the Aakash 1 in 2011. At present, Datawind is testing the Aakash 2 out, with manufacturing slated to start either in July or August.
The group seeing this project through is engineering institution Bombay IIT. Their goal is to distribute 100,000 of the Aakash 2 tablets to engineering universities before the end of the year. As a result of last year’s distribution headaches, the group plans to use software to track the delivery of the devices this time around.
What the Aakash 2 has to offer
Some of the key features of the Aakash 1 were its ability to allow students to watch online tutorials, surf the web, and play video games. Users will still be able to do all of this, but on a significantly better performing device.
The Aakash 2 is expected to feature 800Mhz processing speed. Its 3200mAh battery will offer three hours of life, and the device will run on Android’s latest software. The Aakash’s 7” resistive screen has been replaced with a capacitive one in the new model (better response to touch), and the hand-held device now features a Cortex-A8 processor, a pretty standard form of CPU architecture that certainly won’t knock anyone’s socks off, but is none too shabby for the price being paid.
In addition, the new model has an SD card slot, USB port, and gets online using Wi-Fi. Of the latter feature, it should be noted that the Aakash 2 does not have 3G capability, so tablet owners will need access to a hot spot when using the device’s web-based apps.
Along with watching tutorials, typing up reports, and playing games, students can use the device for programming purposes as well. “Unlike other tablet devices, Aakash can also be used to create computer programs, in Python, C, C++ and Scilab,” Sibal said.
“It’s a fully-fledged computer, not just an access device,” said Professor D.B. Phatak from Bombay IIT. “The applications and the content on Aakash 2 are most important, not just the device.”
In anticipation of the tablet’s launch, Phatak’s company has already developed new apps for the device, including interactive class quiz programs “Clicker” and “Sci-Lab”, both of which allow students to conduct interactive classes.
Learn more
Visit the Aakash site for more information on the new tablet. ■
Story via: BBC.co.uk and NokiaHouse.com (image).
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
