World’s Lowest Cost Tablet Computer Launched
affordability for the next 3 billion internet users
New Delhi, India – October 5, 2011: Today, the world's lowest computing/internet device was launched in India by the Honorable Minister of Human Resources & Development, Communications & Information Technology Kapil Sibal. Called 'Aakash', the tablet has been designed, developed and manufactured by DataWind Ltd., in partnership with IIT Rajasthan, under the Human Resources & Development ministry's National Mission on Education through Information & Communication Technology (NME-ICT).
The government is buying 100,000 tablets from DataWind at an all inclusive price of Rs.2,250 per unit (inclusive of all taxes, levies, and charges like freight and insurance, servicing and documentation).
At the Plenary Hall in Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Minister Sibal vowed an audience of 1,500 dignitaries, industry leaders, academics and students with a live demonstration of high definition streaming video on the low-cost tablet, followed by web browsing and demonstration of educational applications. Five hundred devices were also handed out to students in attendance. Minister Sibal explained that the low cost device was the third leg of NME-ICT: after connecting over 1,000 institutions across the country with high bandwidth WiFi networks and web-enabling tons of course content for free. Under NME-ICT, the government intends to deliver 10 million tablets to post-secondary students across India. The target price of the 10 million units is Rs.1,750 per unit. DataWind has provided a firm proposal at the Rs.1,750 price point also.
DataWind CEO, Suneet Singh Tuli said, "Our goal was to break the price barrier for computing and internet access. Working with IIT Rajasthan, and NME-ICT, we've created a product that will finally bring affordable computing and internet access to the masses. This is not only a concept that applies to India, but has ignited the imaginations of governments around the world. The Aakash is proudly made in India, and is destined to revolutionize computing and internet access for the world."
DataWind established a new production line in Hyderabad, India specifically for this purpose, resulting in the ultra low-cost tablet to be the first indigenously designed and manufactured tablet.
Intended for students, the Aakash tablet can be used as an Ebook reader, for access to online streaming course material and web based research. Not limited to students, Aakash offers anybody that wants high quality web, social networking, instant messaging, multimedia, games and hundreds of thousands of applications, a durable and affordable mobile device. Instant messaging and social networking are delivered through the Nimbuzz application.
The Aakash is a 7" Android 2.2 touch screen tablet that has a HD video co-processor for a high-quality multimedia experience and core graphics accelerator for faster application support. The Aakash 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.
The device includes WiFi connectivity and support for optional 3G modems. Two full-sized USB ports are integrated into the unit allowing pen-drives, external keyboards, web-cams, dongles and other inexpensive peripherals to be attached. "Pen drives are a common medium for storing and sharing content in India. They are even used by people that are not computer savvy, for access to music and videos. We felt it was very important to include full sized USB ports allowing regular pen-drives to be plugged-in" said Suneet Singh Tuli.
A key accessory offered with the Aakash tablet by DataWind, is the Leather Keyboard Case. The leather case not only protects the device, but has an integrated keyboard case allowing fast typing and conversion of the device as a small notebook.
Road Map
At the launch event, DataWind displayed a roadmap of future products, including its mobile phone version of the device, capacitive screen units with faster and dual-core processors, and 10-inch screen devices.
Pricing and availability
Although, the Aakash tablet will only be available to post-secondary students through the NME-ICT, DataWind will offer a commercial version, called the UbiSlate, starting late November at a Maximum Retail Price of under Rs.2,999 (inclusive of all duties and taxes). The price difference between the Aakash and UbiSlate is because the commercially available product will include a cellular modem, allowing it to deliver web access anywhere there is a cellular connectivity, and also to function as a mobile phone!
The open market product will also need to include various forms of excise duties, countervailing duties, sales tax, distribution costs, marketing costs, channel margins and field service support. Further details of the UbiSlate will be provided upon its launch in November. End-users and channel partners can register their interest at http://www.UbiSlate.com
The UbiSlate will be offered by DataWind online and through reputed electronics and mobile retailers across India starting late November. The UbiSlate will be priced under Rs. 3,000 including 12 months of warranty. Internet access across mobile networks will be priced at Rs.99 for 2GB.
Company Profile
Datawind is a leading provider of wireless web access products and services. DataWind's product range includes the PocketSurfer handheld internet device, UbiSurfer netbooks and UbiSlate tablet devices. Based on several international patents, Datawind's breakthrough technologies solve the bandwidth limitations of cellular networks by accelerating content delivery by factors of 10x to 30x – resulting in a superior mobile web experience at a lower cost. Datawind has offices in Amritsar, London, Montreal, Dallas and New Delhi.