“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.