Sci/Tech India announces $35 tablet computer for rural poor

[The Helper]

NEW DELHI (AP) - India introduced a cheap tablet computer Wednesday, saying it would deliver modern technology to the countryside to help lift villagers out of poverty.

The computer, called Aakash, or "sky" in Hindi, is the latest in a series of "world's cheapest" innovations in India that include a 100,000 rupee ($2,040) compact Nano car, a 750 rupee ($15) water purifier and $2,000 open-heart surgery.

Developer Datawind is selling the tablets to the government for about $45 each, and subsidies will reduce that to $35 for students and teachers. In comparison, the cheapest Apple iPad tablet costs $499, while the recently announced Kindle Fire will sell for $199.

Datawind says it can make about 100,000 units a month at the moment, not nearly enough to meet India's hope of getting its 220 million children online.

Get the whole story here.

 

[xPass]

Wow this is awesome!

 

[rover2341]

I am pretty sure the price went up to 60$ but still pretty cool stuff.

Source.
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/India-Cheap-Tablet-60-tablet-budget-Tablets,news-12777.html

 

[Dan]

how is this possible? Last month I bought the crappiest low end phone for $50 because mine wasn't on contract and it got smashed.

 

[xPass]

how is this possible? Last month I bought the crappiest low end phone for $50 because mine wasn't on contract and it got smashed.

It's time you visit to India

 

[Varine]

how is this possible? Last month I bought the crappiest low end phone for $50 because mine wasn't on contract and it got smashed.

Welcome to the world of government subsidies. Unfortunately, you don't make enough money to qualify here.

 

[Bartuc08]

What's the quality of these things? If they're on par with the iPads that's pretty cool, if it's like a Kindle that's still pretty cool... I guess anything that can get online and read material for $35 is pretty awesome, haha.

 

[Wiseman_2]

how is this possible? Last month I bought the crappiest low end phone for $50 because mine wasn't on contract and it got smashed.

There's a phone on sale here in the UK for a mere £2.95. My friend has one as a back up, and if she loses it it's no big deal because it only cost her £2.95. Plus £10 credit. Still a bargain though, even if all it can really do is text and call.