India unveils world’s cheapest tablet computer for $35

&#62; The Indian government put out a tender for the tablet to be developed, and plans to sell 100,000 units of Aakash<p>My comment a year ago: <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1600780" rel="nofollow">http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1600780</a><p>Same thing. 'unveiling' a tablet for a price is nothing until a tablet is actually sold for that price on the market. This times two in a place like India, which is plans-heavy and implementation-light. This really doesn't mean much.

It is not a Government's job to make tablets.<p>If they can only fix their corruption, bureaucracy and the totally broken governmental system, thousands of entrepreneurs can emerge and create millions of gadgets...

Again? The 'Indian Government' makes an announcement like this every three to six months. There is really really weird politics surrounding this vs the OLPC project in India. Start believing in these releases when you have consumers purchasing them, and/or deployments greater than 100.

As posted in my other thread - the subsidized cost to customer is $50 (cost of manufacture is $35). The blurb: <a href="http://tech2.in.com/news/tablets/indias-very-own-35-tablet-to-launch-tomorrow/245822" rel="nofollow">http://tech2.in.com/news/tablets/indias-very-own-35-tablet-t...</a><p>Will be available for purchase in November.<p>The specs are:<p>Android 2.2<p>Wifi, 2 USB Ports<p>7'' resistive display, 350g<p>366 mhz processor<p>256 mb RAM<p>2GB flash<p>microsd support<p>2100 mah battery<p>can play 1080p video

Consumers will be able to buy a retail version for about $60.

The lack of keyboard means that it is a terrible tool for students.<p>Without a keyboard you cannot create. (Ok you can draw imprecise pictures and type really slowly)<p>Without creating/doing you are not learning. You are just absorbing data.<p>Tablet/touch screen users never add new content to the world, they are just an audience.

The article switches tense from "on sale" to "will have", which is a similar uncertain time detail to other articles about vaporous sub-$50 computers that have been published in the past.<p>Is this device shipping at the claimed price right now or not?

But what do you do with a $35 tablet with WiFi when there is no electricity, let alone internet.<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_electrification#India" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_electrification#India</a>

Regards the Nano, why would people rather walk than be seen in the 'world's cheapest car?' Given the funds and the availability I'd grab one in a moment---a mountain bike in a snow storm makes a very convincing argument that there must be a better way! Is this a cultural thing---if so move the market to where such hangups don't exist would be my suggestion...

I really want to know what the plan is? How will poor people who cant afford a decent computer have access to WiFi? Its not like India has free Wifi spots in many of these locations. Is there a plan to provide Wifi in the schools where these kids go? I wish this article had more information regarding the whole plan

How worlds cheapest 35$ android tablet aakash is made possible [video] - <a href="http://bit.ly/pN4hi6" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/pN4hi6</a>

But the question is, is it google approved? i.e. will there be android market, gmail, updates, etc.. (highly doubt on updates though)

Yeah in 10 years time when inflation will make $35 look like pennies and moore's law will make this device feasible to sell at $35.

Now every Indian adolescent boy can watch 1080p porn in private.<p>Seriously, I hope this gets put to good use by schools for textbooks too.<p>Boys will be boys.

yet another world's cheapest [insert gadget] announcement. time to step it up, waiting for the day i hear world's best...

Anyone ever laid hands on one of these ultra-cheap tablets?

How long until Microsoft comes to screw it up for them and make the price $75?

But... will it blend?