High hopes, hard realities for India's 35-dlr computer
A man reads comics on a Kindle-style tablet called Wink at the EC Media International Private Limited office in Bangalore. The Indian government won headlines around the world when it unveiled a prototype 35-US dollar tablet computer in July, but questions are now growing over whether the project is just a pipe dream.
The Indian government won headlines around the world when it unveiled a prototype 35-dollar tablet computer in July, but questions are now growing over whether the project is just a pipe dream.
At the computer's launch, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal vowed "the solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India" as he revealed the breathtaking price tag -- a fraction of the 500-dollar cost for an Apple iPad.
Officials said the touchscreen device, aimed at the country's millions of students, could even be hammered down to just 10 dollars once production rates increase.
The tablet computer, which has yet to be named, is billed as boasting a three-hour power back-up, Internet browser, media player, video-conferencing capability, good data storage, hard disk drive and webcam.
"The price includes a small component of profit for the manufacturer and hence higher volumes will fetch more returns," Sibal told AFP.
"This low-cost device is likely to revolutionise the education system in our country. It will have a very positive impact on our literacy campaign."
But Indian promises of a "laptop
for the masses" have hit the buffers before. The government said it was on the brink of putting the computer on sale in both 2005 and 2009 -- only for the much-hyped product never to materialise.
for the masses" have hit the buffers before. The government said it was on the brink of putting the computer on sale in both 2005 and 2009 -- only for the much-hyped product never to materialise.Terry Thomas, a partner in the local arm of global audit firm Ernst and Young, is among those striking a note of caution.
"A computer with all normal functionalities at this price will not be sustainable unless it is subsidised by the government or the industry," he said.
Thomas suggested a "stripped-down version" with a bare minimum of facilities could perhaps be engineered at nearer the advertised cost, though users would likely be unimpressed.
The first 100,000 computers are slated to be released as soon as January, but details of its exact specifications are still scarce -- as is the level of government subsidy that will be essential to keep the price down
0 Response to "High hopes, hard realities for India's 35-dlr computer"
Post a Comment