India unveils prototype of $35 tablet computer

[chobolan]

India unveils prototype of $35 tablet computer

Tablet uses memory card, open-source software

Last Updated: Friday, July 23, 2010 | 11:33 AM ET
The Associated Press

India's human resource development minister Kapil Sibal displays a low-cost $35 US tablet at its launch in New Delhi. (Associated Press)

It looks like an iPad, only it's 1/14th the cost: India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 US basic touchscreen tablet computer aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production in early 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 out of India, home to the $2,100 Nano car, a $16 water purifier and $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 — important for India's energy-starved hinterlands — though that costs extra. "This is our answer to MIT's $100 computer," Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told the Economic Times as he unveiled the device Thursday.

In 2005, Nicholas Negroponte, co-founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, unveiled a prototype of a $100 laptop for children in the developing world. India rejected that as too expensive and embarked on an effort to develop a cheaper option. Negroponte's laptop ended up costing about $200, but in May his non-profit association, One Laptop Per Child, said it plans to launch a basic tablet computer for $99.

Sibal, meanwhile, turned to students and professors at India's elite technical universities to develop the $35 tablet after receiving a "lukewarm" response from private-sector players. He hopes to get the cost down to $10 eventually. Mamta Varma, a ministry spokeswoman, said falling hardware costs and intelligent design make the price tag plausible. The tablet doesn't have a hard disk, but instead uses a memory card, much like a mobile phone. The tablet design cuts hardware costs, she said, and the use of open-source software adds to savings.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

 

[molly]

$35 yes cheap but how about quality?

 

[hochiminhcity]

Well done India, they have the world highest IT and engineers,
This is what our A Star and highest paid minister should adopt n some innovation product for the mass and not profit oriented,

India HR minister have a heart for the school children and mass population unlike our PAp.........

 

[longbow]

Nothing surprising.

There is no markup and foc operating system. Probably made in China!

I do not see any need for university to develop this. Universities know little about the production process. Any of these subcontractors will be able to help

Just go to Asus, Foxconn or a larger China subcontractor tell them you want something like this for $35 OEM. And you will order 5 million units. They can probably build you one. With no hardrive, battery life is good hence the solar power option.

It cost Apple $188 to make the Iphone 4 - that includes 2 cameras, gps chip, superb touch screen, processor etc So $35 is doable.

 

[fishbuff]

Well done India, they have the world highest IT and engineers,
This is what our A Star and highest paid minister should adopt n some innovation product for the mass and not profit oriented,

India HR minister have a heart for the school children and mass population unlike our PAp.........

you have a good point there.

 

[fishbuff]

Nothing surprising.

There is no markup and foc operating system. Probably made in China!

I do not see any need for university to develop this. Universities know little about the production process. Any of these subcontractors will be able to help

Just go to Asus, Foxconn or a larger China subcontractor tell them you want something like this for $35 OEM. And you will order 5 million units. They can probably build you one. With no hardrive, battery life is good hence the solar power option.

It cost Apple $188 to make the Iphone 4 - that includes 2 cameras, gps chip, superb touch screen, processor etc So $35 is doable.

u never hear of open source software and os like linux? :P

 

[cocobobo]

well done india.

i always have the greatest respect for their IIT uni. a privelege to have met its few graduates here in sg. but very very few. the rest are big-talking poseurs.

 

[Cestbon]

US$35 about SG$50. I don't think so the Ah Neh talk big.
Let break doen the cost
1. LCD $20
2. Battery $10
3. Motherboard $10
4. Casing $5

Is already more than $35 dollar not incluced others cost as transport........

 

[Teo Kok Eng]

Maybe their parts substandard cheap cheap like LCD $5, casing $1

 

[AhLeePaPa]

Apple ipad mati?

 

[longbow]

Here is breakdown of some Iphone 4 parts

The priciest part of the iPhone 4 is the new, higher-resolution LCD screen, which iSuppli estimates carries a cost of $28.50. Flash memory, which has been in short supply, costs $27. Apple's processor, which was manufactured by Samsung, according to iSuppli, costs $10.75, and the capacitive touch screen costs $10.

Lets see touchscreen LCD screen $18, processor $5, flash memory 2GB $2, case, wifi, assembly $10 - total $35

 

[panama]

Sometimes got to respect these Indians for doing things cheaply

 

[johnny333]

Apple ipad mati?

How I wish , maybe then fewer people wouldn't consider getting one:(

Went down yesterday & the iPads were all sold out
Maybe people want to buy & keep them as antiques

With so many iPads sold, expect lots of companies to support this platform.

 

[manokie]

Until they can really roll out $35 into production, I doubt we can trust them

What happened to the previous cheap laptop they were talking about?

 

[Glaringly]

It has a solar power option — important for India's energy-starved hinterlands — though that costs extra.

Solor power option?

Should I put it out under the hot sun to recharge it? Will the motherboard get's bake before the batteries get charged?

 

[SQguy]

Bunch of idiots this is just a show for this minister fool to come on front page news and newspaper without checking the facts just publish.

 

[johnny333]

Sometimes got to respect these Indians for doing things cheaply

Seeing as our public transport system is so crowded, they should bring in that cheap indian car into Spore. More people would then be able to afford to drive as it would cost the same as buying a motorcycle but safer to drive.

 

[longbow]

Much was talked about this $35 tablet computer. I think their realized that it would cost more than $35 and that most of it would be done in China - so political suicide.

Anyway another bunch of hot air.- be it the $10 laptop or $35 tablet.

India's failed-promises saga continues - $35 tablet cancelled
By SiliconIndia
Friday, 21 January 2011, 11:34 IST

The Indian Government has always disappointed people with its false hopes. Earlier in the beginning of 2009, Indian Government unveiled a $10 educational laptop which turned out to be a substandard flop receiving various negative views about it. Now it is $35 tablet's turn.

The expected launch of $35 tablet, 'Sakshat' in the mid of January by the Indian Government is now delayed due to bank security issues. HCL which was to raise a security deposit of 60 Crore and could not do it for reasons unknown. A security deposit is always demanded by the Government on any tender. The proposal was made in June last year and the tender was given to HCL. Now a report states that the tender is cancelled.

The question here is that why such a big technological company like HCL has denied raising a security deposit of 60 Crore, which it could have done very easily. Does HCL feel that $35 tablet cannot be manufactured according to the Government's specification at such a low cost?

The proposal to launch $35 tablets which would run on Android OS was quoted the cheapest compared to the earlier version of OLPC XO which was launched at $100, was aimed for educational developments of children across U.S. and other developing countries. The government had also allotted $6.5 million for the so called 'ambitious project'.

It is said that a re-advertisement for new tenders are issued already, but nothing can be found in the Government website and HCL also states that it has not been informed yet of the cancellation.

There are a lot of speculations happening about the project. Earlier there were accusations regarding the product that it was not an Indian product and it is completely outsourced from China.

Another aspect that has popped up regarding the pricing of the device as India has also proposed to import a few components from Taiwan and Korea. Though the device proposed at $35, exported out of India would cost about $124. Now the final actual pricing of the tablet is yet to be quoted.

The Indian Government usually has a habit of building greater hopes and then finally shattering them to pieces. Now we have to wait and see whether the proposed $35tablet also would end up with same note as $10 educational laptop or according to a senior official "The sun will raise in 2011".

 

[zuoom]

classic vapour ware.

 

[Watchman]

Seeing as our public transport system is so crowded, they should bring in that cheap indian car into Spore. More people would then be able to afford to drive as it would cost the same as buying a motorcycle but safer to drive.

They are starting to export cars at a time
when most cities are curbing back on car
population.

You can say bye bye to your high pay
when you start adopting India's way of life .