India Launched “Aakash” Tablet: The World’s Cheapest Tablet

by John Laster 54

To expand its digital access and to take on China and Brazil in connectivity, India today introduced a computer tablet for students available for around $50.

The preliminary price at which the government is purchasing one lakh tablets from DataWind is Rs 2250 per unit and the target value at which the government proposes to obtain further 1 crore units is at Rs 1750 per unit.

The device named Aakash, meaning the sky is considered to be the cheapest in the industry and according to the government will be available in pilot run of 100.000 units before it reaches the millions of students in a few months time. “Soon, a $35 computer will be made available to every child in school. The tablet shall help enhance the quality of learning of children,” Telecoms and Education Minister Kapil Sibal informed.

The tablet will be available commercially from November at a price of Rs 2999 which will include an additional feature of a cellular modem in the commercial model. Some units of the tablet were also circulated to the students which were present at the launch event held in New Delhi. This device in the beginning will be made available to post-secondary students.

The Aakash tablet will also support Wi-Fi connectivity and includes a stereo earphones and microphone. 12-month replacement warranty will also be offered with the tablet along with an additional external memory up to 32 GB and an USB port for supporting external storage devices.

One can acquire a keyboard portfolio case at an additional cost of Rs 300, for the Akash tablet during the commercial launch of the world’s cheapest tablet.

A Report by Maplecroft, a risk analysis firm illustrated that India trails fellow BRIC nations China, Russia and Brazil in the force to acquire its 1.2 billion people to stay connected to the one of the most demanding technologies such as the mobile phones and Internet.

According to the other recent report, the number of Internet users has increased between 2000 and 2010 but only 8 percent of Indians have access to Internet as compared with around 40 percent in China.

Last week launch of Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet shook up the worldwide tablet market and with its $199 price tag along with a professional browser is going to be a serious threat to Apple’s iPad tablet.

Unlike the Kindle Fire, the Aakash also utilizes the Google Android operating system but market watchers were doubtful that the device which will be developed in India will have mass demand.

Specifications of Aakash Tablet:

Hardware:

  • Processor: 366 Mhz. Connexant with Graphics accelerator and HD Video processor
  • Memory (RAM): 256MB RAM / Storage (Internal): 2GB Flash
  • Storage (External): 2GB to 32GB Supported
  • Peripherals (USB2.0 ports, number): 1 Standard USB port
  • Audio out: 3.5mm jack / Audio in: 3.5mm jack
  • Display and Resolution: 7″ display with 800×480 pixel resolution
  • Input Devices: Resistive touch screen
  • Connectivity and Networking: GPRS and WiFi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g
  • Power and Battery: Up to 180 minutes on battery. AC adapter 200-240 volt range.

Software and Formats:

  • OS: Android 2.2
  • Supported Document formats: DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, ODT, ODP
  • PDF viewer, Text editor
  • Image viewer supported formats: PNG, JPG, BMP and GIF
  • Supported audio formats: MP3, AAC, AC3, WAV, WMA
  • Supported video formats: MPEG2, MPEG4, AVI, FLV
  • Communication and Internet
  • Web browser – Standards Compliance: xHTML 1.1 compliant, JavaScript 1.8 compliant
  • Separate application for online YouTube video
  • Safety and other standards compliance
  • CE certification / RoHS certification
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About the Author

John Laster is a technical news junkie and Founder of TechieApps. He loves everything about digital world, technologies, social media and gadgets and has been prophetic in identifying the best ways to leverage and harness such news to drive sales growth for companies ranging from startups to huge organizations.

54 comments

  2. Pingback: Tablet Computer News for Oct 6, 2011 | Tablet Computer

  6. Boasting of wi-fi connectivity, cloud storage, 256 MB of RAM and a 32 GB expandable memory, the $35 tablet is all set to empower the below middle class Indian janta. Indeed a revolution !!

  7. Hi Katyayan, It is not available in the market yet. Initially it has been given to some students so that they can test it and could send their feedback to the development team. Once this process would be over then we can expect it to be available in the market.

  8. WHY we want the out country products, our india is king it statement will e proved by the latest launched “AAKASH” I Salute to Our great india and our researchers ,and i want to buy the our indian aakash thats all…….

  13. Thanks to my Indian IIT student who made the world cheapest tablet. I proud of my Indian student.
    Wishing you for grand success.

  14. hi

    Aakash is a wonderful device for whom they don’t have much money to buy Computer or Galaxy Tab or iPad. i think this device will rock the market of computing industry …

    I want to have Aakash Tablet …

    I’m From Oman..

    Any one can help me ….

    +968-96362993

  19. I am the student in thane cit and how wood i geet the tabet in my colleg. colleg name is g.s.s

  22. HI GUYZZ
    GOOD EVENING
    WHERE I WILL GET THIS TABLET I HAVE SEARCH WHOLE MUMBAI
    AND I STAY AT DADER
    IF ANYONE KNOW WHERE I WILL GET THIS TABLET
    PLEASE CONTACT OR MESSAGE ME ABOUT THIS I M REALLY THANKFUL FOR YOU??
    MR ARFAAD:- 9768562843

  24. I am a student of BCA, 2nd and I want to buy this tablet. so, can you plz tell me where should I submit my student ID to get it? and what will be the payment procedure?

  26. I am a student in 12th,and I want to buy this tablet. so, can you plz tell me where should I submit my student ID to get it? and what will be the payment procedure?

  29. Thanks to all who made Aakash Tablet.
    But please tell me where i get this Aakash Tablet.
    I an very exited to buy Aakash Tablet.

  34. OH so u want to buy TABLET.
    YEAH, this tablet pc is made for all people.u can also buy this but not as student as general public….

  36. I want “AKASH” as my pc. Please any one send me the address of akash’s shop. Or the contact no. Of the shop of akash.
    My ph. No. Is –
    +918436200104.

  37. Pingback: Aakash Tablet Conflicts | Mariana DLR's Blog

  40. I am a student of M.B.A. , i like to purchase akash tablet, so how much time still remains in the launch of akash tablet for general public? Please keep informing me

  44. pls tell the nearest way to buy this tablet along with its launching date

    My no is 9045985244(nanital)

  45. i want to buy this tab can u help me . that from where did i get in Odisha (Cuttack)

    my ph. no. is 9776988944

  47. Hey Friends….. Will it be available to school children coz i am really desperate to know the answer to this question…plzz

  49. i want to buy this tab can u help me . that from where did i get in kerala please contact 9995736889,9633332865

  50. GoD Damn ! this gadget shaked whole India ,this is the excellent awesome superb gadget if you’ll compare the price to the product . you dont even get android in a 3000rs cell phone but aakash tab is the best , Imagine every INDIAN roaming with a tab in his/her hand . It will be sooooooo awesome. soo *cheers* to aakash tab and INDIA. Indians forever xD

  52. What makes Aakash different ?

    There can be many opinions about Aakash tablet , but it is worth remembering that ,

    1. At its price-point , Aakash is the only tablet capable of bridging the digital divide between the urban and the rural India
    2. It will be used by persons who have not even seen a smart phone or a computer – much less used these
    3. Aakash is its own benchmark. Much like Walkman and iPod , it has created a new category – hence there can be no comparisons
    4. More than 2 million orders are a proof that , it is a product which millions have been waiting for

    No doubt there will be hiccups – as with any innovation

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