the ultra-low cost tablet device named Akash tablets, was launched by Education minister of India Mr. Kapil Sibbal.
It was more than a year ago, when HRD ministry announced the project of “one laptop per child”. Initially the cost of proposed tablet computing device was estimated at $35. This project became very famous as world’s cheapest laptop at the cost of $35.
During launch of world’s cheapest tablet (Aakash tablet), it is said that Indian Government will purchase this device from a British company (DataWind) at the rate of Rs. 2250 / tablet, which comes to around $45 according to current Rupee/US dollar exchange rate. And then Akash tablets will be made available to students at subsidized rate. Still the cheapest tablets!
Commercially, this tablet (Akash tablet) will be available from November for Rs 2999, which is $60 according to current exchange rate. Again I will say, Akash tablet is world’s cheapest tablet.
This tablets run on Android 2.2 and having 7 inch touch screen. It is said to have preloaded with some software (details not available) and can support standard Microsoft Office files (DOC, DOCX, PDF and PPTX). I believe that this device will definitely going to support almost all the common file formats.
Here is the details about hardware used in Akash tablet:-
Operating System:- Android 2.2 (Froyo)
Screen:- 7-inch resistive touch screen
Resolution:- 800×480 px
Weight:- 350 gram
RAM:- 256 MB
Expandable Memory:- upto 32 GB
USB ports:- 2
Battery:- 2100mAh battery which lasts for 2-3 hours
As of now, there is no information on how the Akash tablet will be made available for sale and which stores through. We will have to wait and watch for a couple of weeks more.
Looking at it at first glance and going through review of Aakash tablets on other blogs, I will say that though it doesn’t match the standard and application of Apple’s iPad, still it is one of the best solution for students and for people who doesn’t have enough money to spend for iPad
