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10:10 AM
Aryan
How the world's cheapest tablet computer was born
The idea to develop the world's cheapest computer was born in 2005 when HRD ministry resisted a proposal of the Planning Commission to buy $100 (approx Rs 5,000) laptop developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology for students to access internet easily. The average cost of a laptop
then was around $800 (approx Rs 40,000) and the MIT's device seemed cheap. Most educationists were ready to buy the argument expect NK Sinha, an IITian, then joint secretary in the ministry.
He urged that India can produce a simple computing device for students at $10 (approx Rs 500). "People called it an impossible task," Sinha recalled before the launch of $50 (approx Rs 2,470) tablet called Aakash.
Education secretary RP Aggarwal was convinced and allowed Sinha to constitute a small group of fellow IITians and experts to work on the idea.
Breakthrough came in 2007, when a final year student of IIT developed a motherboard - provides electrical connection to other components in a computer - suitable to run a low-cost computing device. "It was the first hope of realising a dream," Sinha, now additional secretary in HRD ministry, said.
It took another two years for the team of experts to develop a model for the low-cost device. In January 2007, the government included the model for funding under the National Mission for Information Communication and Technology and IIT Rajasthan bagged the job to develop the device.
The man in-charge of the project in IIT Rajasthan was its director Prem Kalra, whose son provided the first breakthrough. Over 170 students from his campus finally developed a prototype in 2009. After its initial testing, the cost of the device was projected as $35 (approx R1750).
A tender for one lakh devices was floated and Datawind bagged the project with the lowest bid of $37.98 (approx Rs 1,880).
The UbiSlate7+
The UbiSlate7+ is an Android 2.3 touch screen tablet that has a HD video co-processor for a high-quality multimedia experience and core graphics accelerator for faster application support. This tablet is the only Android device in the market to offer DataWind’s UbiSurfer browser, based on 18 international patents. The UbiSurfer browser accelerates web pages by factors of 10x to 30x, allowing for a web experience who’s speed is unrivalled. Internet access is available everywhere on a GPRS network at Rs.98/mo. for 2GB.
The device includes WiFi & GPRS connectivity allowing anytime & anywhere internet access and phone functionality. Optional 3G modems are also supported via USB. In addition to a micro-SD card slot, a full-sized USB port is integrated into the unit allowing pen-drives, external keyboards, web-cams, dongles and other inexpensive peripherals to be attached.
Features
· Anytime & Anywhere Internet access with Cellular connectivity for only Rs. 98/- per month (in India only)
· 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 and much much more!
· High Quallity Video Streaming & HD Quality Video Playback
· Games, Full Office suite, Educational software, Over 150,000 apps!
· Expandable memory to 32GB
· Use any ordinary pen-drive
· Even plug-in a 3G dongle
· And it's a Phone to make/receive voice calls
Specifications
· Android OS 2.3
· Cortex A8, 700 Mhz Processor with HD Video Co Processor
· 256 MB RAM
· Storage: (Internal) 2GB Flash / (External) 2GB to 32GB Supported
· Peripherals: 2 Standard USB Ports (Ver. 2.0)
· Audio Out: 3.5mm jack
· Display and Resolution: 7" Display with 800x480 pixels
· Supported Document Formats: All Version Office Document formats and many more
· High Quality Video Streaming & HD Quality Video Playback
· Input Devices: Resistive Touch Screen
· Connectivity with GPRS & WiFi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g
· Battery: Upto 180 minutes of battery, AC adaptor 200.240 volts
Posted in: Computer
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