Aakash (World’s Cheapest Tablet) is Now In Front of us

Indian government’s ultra low-cost tablet ‘Aakash’ is finally in front of us. The official launch comes after nearly one year telecom minister Kapil Sibal flaunted a prototype of the device. Previously nicknamed as ‘Sakshat’, the Aakash is being touted as the “world’s cheapest tablet”.  The tablet is considered to be a significant accomplishment for the government, which believes the device will bridge the gap between the rural India and the ongoing technology boom in the country.  Of late we have got several queries regarding the new Aakash tablet, so we’ve decided to give you a Facts post, which will help you find answers to most of your queries.

Availability: 

The government will roll out 100,000 units of the Aakash tablet initially.  The details of the availability of the device are bit sketchy. The government says it will distribute the device to students through the institutions they are studying. So, best way to find out exact availability of Aakash tablet is to contact your concerned department of your college/institution.

Commercially, the device will be launched in November. Pre-booking for the Aakash tablet (retail version is known as UbiSlate) has already started. For more info on pre-booking click Here

Price:-

Well, the Aakash tablet will be available for students at a subsidised price of nearly Rs. 1,730. However, the exact price of the Aakash is nearly Rs. 2,276, which the government paid for its procurement. As per the official website, the Aakash tablet a.k.a UbiSlate will be commercially available at Rs. 2,999.

Plans:-

As per official website, UbiSlate will come with an unlimited mobile Internet at Rs.98/month.

Features:-

• High Quality Web Anytime & Anywhere:
• Connect via GPRS or WiFi
• GPRS: Embedded modem eliminates the need for external dongles and allows Internet access everywhere
• WiFi: Allows fast Youtube videos at hotspots
• Fast web access even on GPRS networks, across the country using DataWind’s patented acceleration technology
• Web, Email, Facebook, Twitter and much much more!
• Multimedia Powerhouse:
• HD Quality Video
• Watching movies in the palm of your hand on a 7” screen
• Audio library software helps manage your full collection of songs
• Applications Galore with Android 2.2:
• Games
• Productivity software: Office suite
• Educational software
• Over 150,000 apps!
• Full sized-USB port & Micro-SD slot:
• Expand memory to 32GB
• Use any ordinary pen-drive
• Even plug-in a 3G dongle
• And It’s a Phone!

Configuration:-

Hardware:-

• Processor: 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 800x480 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:-

• OS: Android 2.2
• Document Rendering
• Supported Document formats: DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, ODT, ODP
• PDF viewer, Text editor
• Multimedia and Image Display
• 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
• Other: Additional Web Browser: UbiSurfer-Browser with compression/acceleration and IE8 rendering.

Versions:-

Yes, there are two versions of the Aakash tablet. The subsidised Aakash tablet will miss few features such as inbuilt cellular modem and SIM to access Internet. The retail version is likely to sport full-fledged specs as announced by the government.

Developed by:  The Aakash tablet is designed, developed and manufactured by a Canada-based firm called DataWind in co-ordination with IIT Rajasthan. According to reports, DataWind plans to launch a high end version of the device in less price sensitive markets such as the UK and US.

For more information click Here

-News Source (Aakash)

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UbiSlate 7 Upgraded Version of Aakash Is Finally Ready To Sale

Earlier we have discussed about Aakash (World’s Cheapest Tablet).Now the countdown is over and the much awaited Aakash tablet is finally ready to sale. DataWind, the Canadian company that is manufacturing Aakash, has started the online booking and pre booking of the much anticipated low cost Android tablet. Online booking is for students' version of the tablet and pre booking is for UbiSlate 7, the upgraded version of Aakash.

Students' version of Aakash will be available for Rs 2,500 and will be delivered in seven days. The commercial version, UbiSlate 7 is priced at Rs 2,999. The payment mode for both the tablets is cash on delivery.

The commercial version of Aakash tablet will be powered by Android 2.3 and will have a resistive touchscreen, Cortex A8-700 MHz processor and graphics accelerator HD video processor, 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal memory. Other specifications are a one standard USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, a 7 inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, resistive touchscreen, GPRS and WiFi support.

"The improved version of Aakash tablet will be available in retail outlets by January end," a spokesperson of DataWind told media. The tablet was to be made available in retail stores by the end of November. "The delay in the availability of the tablet has been due to upgradation in the tablet and some unforeseen delay in manufacturing," the spokesperson said.

To book and prebook student and commercial versions respectively of Aakash tablet, users have to visit DataWind's website and fill up the required form. In case of booking they will get a booking ID and a message which will state, "You will shortly receive an email confirmation from our support team with further details."

In case of pre booking users will get a confirmation message which will state, "The commercial version of the Akash UbiSlate 7 would be launched in early weeks of December. After the commercial launch we would get in touch with you to deliver your device as soon possible." As a matter of fact, the confirmation message a reader will see is factually incorrect as The mobile Indian had reported earlier the Aakash tablet will be available only by January end.

Datawind has however not cleared how it is going to establish the identity of students who will book the cheapest version of Aakash tablet. When The Mobile Indian contacted spokesperson of Datwind he said, "Anyone can book the student version of Aakash tablet." 

This defeats the purpose of providing students an affordable tablet as now anyone can place an order to get the tablet. Interestingly, now it has been revealed that the government has procured only 10,000 Aakash tablets for distribution in schools and colleges of the initial 1 lakh proposed.

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Aakash 2 “World’s Cheapest Tablet” Ready For Release With Handy Features

Aakash 2 “World’s Cheapest Tablet” Ready For Release With Many Handy Features 

Earlier in October, 2011 the long awaited 'Aakash' came in front of us and after the countdown in December last year UbiSlate 7, the upgraded version of Aakash finally made available for online booking. After a huge success now  HRD Minister of India Mr. Kapil Sibal has unveiled a new version of the "world's cheapest tablet computer" - widely known as "Aakash 2".  The device, primarily for students, is to be sold for 2,263 rupees ($40; £26). It has a faster processor, longer battery life and more programming capability than an earlier version.

“Unlike other tablet devices, Aakash can also be used to create computer programs, in Python, C, C++ and Scilab,” - said Kapil Sibal, adding that the tablet can be further used for accessing e-governance services. The government has approved the specifications of the upgraded version of the tablets submitted by Datawind, to IIT-Bombay for testing. “The government has approved the specifications,” Datawind CEO Sunit Singh Tuli confirmed. The Aakash 2 sample devices are now being tested, with manufacturing projected to start by July or August. Like its predecessor, the Aakash 2 allows users to watch online tutorials and videos, browse the internet and play games. "It's a fully-fledged computer, not just an access device," said Prof DB Phatak from Bombay IIT. "The applications and the content on Aakash 2 are most important, not just the device." The new version of the Aakash tablet has an 800Mhz processing speed, a three-hour battery life and operates on the latest Android software. It also has an SD card slot, a USB port and works over wi-fi. It does not have 3G capability, however, so users need access to a good internet connection. Bombay IIT has developed new apps like interactive class quiz programme Clicker and Sci-lab, which allows students to conduct interactive classes. For detailed information about "Aakash" click here. 

-Source (BBC, Hindustan Times)

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