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India's $35 tablet delayed after losing primary vendor

By

On January 21, 2011, 7:30 AM

India's $35 academic tablet has been delayed following complications with the device's vendor. HCL Infosystems won a manufacturing contract last year, but it failed to get an Rs 60 crore ($13 million) bank guarantee, which protects the government in case the vendor doesn't deliver the project.

The tablet, named Sakshat, is said to run Android and can handle PDF documents, YouTube videos, web browsing, and more. The hardware hasn't been fully detailed, but it supposedly packs 2GB of storage, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, and it supposedly consumes only two watts of power.


The Sakshat was supposed to launch on January 15 with an initial order of 100,000 units. An unnamed government official told the Economic Times that the matter would be sorted out in a few weeks and the device should be available in mid-2011, but no exact date has been announced.

Many still question whether the device will actually be sold for $35. Analysts say the processor and display alone cost more than $35 in the market, while one government source says the device costs about Rs 5700 (~$125) in components -- and that's before import and logistics fees.

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7 comments

User Comments: 7

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  1. January 21, 2011 10:27 AM
    matrix86
    matrix86 said:

    A $35 tablet named Sakshat...it was doomed from the start, lol

    Reply
  2. January 21, 2011 10:32 AM
    yRaz
    yRaz said:

    It looks like the iPads illegitimate child.

    Reply
  3. January 21, 2011 11:36 AM
    veedubguy said:

    For $35.00 it can't be any good...

    Reply
  4. January 21, 2011 5:37 PM
    princeton
    princeton said:

    For $35 I'd buy it just to see what it was like. Think about it guys, even if it's slow as hell, it's still cheaper than a lot of E-readers.

    Reply
  5. January 22, 2011 4:33 AM
    ihaveaname said:

    I think $35 for a tablet device makes it above all criticism. THIRTY FIVE DOLLARS!!!

    Reply
  6. January 22, 2011 7:56 AM
    Guest said:

    just buy your people food than giving them laptops. $35 laptops wont give them satisfaction. It will add only to their lists of liabilities like cars, loans and wife.

    Reply
  7. January 22, 2011 4:45 PM
    Guest said:

    India has lots of bureaucratic ****** who think that they can solve all problems.. Corporates are ill.. and markets dont work.. They need to be publicly reprimanded.. I am sure if India improves the infrastructure, allows manufacturing to happen, clean up some corruption, we can see a $30 tablet also but nothing.. if that does not happen.

    Reply

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