Tablet - a complete new genre which has taken the world by storm and which will eventually evolve. Apple started it, Samsung evolved it and now Datawind Co. (India) has reasonably priced it. The world's cheapest Tablet - Aakash (a.k.a Ubislate 7) was recently launched in India by its manufacture 'Datawind' in association with the Ministry of Information Technology (India).
The motto which drives the creation of the world's most affordable Tablet is to ensure Students in India (especially in the rural areas) can easily afford to own a personal computer alternative for their educational requirements. Rich educational content like (e-Books, Video lectures, etc.) will be available for students via Aakash.
Disclaimer: You will be highly disappointed if you start comparing Tablets like iPad2 or Galaxy with Aakash. Right from the use of built materials, display quality and touch interface, everything is different about Aakash. In an effort to make an affordable Tablet, Datawind technologies considered the use of many outdated or obsolete technologies whose final performance has even made the Govt of India ask for an upgraded version of the tablet. Technologies like:
- Resistive Touchscreen: Aakash works on a resistive touchscreen technology, when the world is using capacitive touchscreen. So, the next time when you have a test-run on Aakash, don't be surprised if the touchscreen responds rather slowly, you know who is to be blamed here - Resistive Touchscreen.
Datawind technologies, have confirmed the use of capacitive touchscreen in their next version of Aakash tablets, which may be priced around INR 7,000 Why? Coz Capacitive touchscreen are expensive. Government of India and Datawind are in-talks to check on the feasibility to ensure the next upgrade to Aakash is made available at the current price. Which if made possible will make it the World's cheapest capacitive 3G Tablet.
There are 2 versions of Aakash currently advertised by Datawind. Availability of the other (upgraded version) will be by Jan '2012. Booking's open on their website.
Bottom-line: For what you pay for - you get a fully functional Android Tablet which serves the purpose of decent Web Browsing and the actual purpose of delivering on educational content for students. The current version might be a blessing for the students, but we would prefer waiting for a Capacitive version of the Tablet, which is expected to be released by Mar' 2012.
Current Alternative for Aakash:
CREATIVE ZIIO 7:
- Android v2.1; 7-inch resistive display; 1 GHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 8GB memory; Wi-Fi; In-built battery - Price: INR 17,999
RELIANCE 3G TABLET:
- Android v2.3; 7-inch capacitive display; 800 MHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 8GB memory; 3G, Wi-Fi; 3400 mAh battery - Price: INR 12,999
BEETEL MAGIQ:
- Android v2.2; 7-inch resistive display; 1 GHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 8GB memory; 3G, Wi-Fi; 2200 mAh battery - Price: INR 9,999
Aakash Tablet
