India has recently unveiled a new version of the world’s cheapest tablet computer known as the Aakash 2. This device is primarily for students and the price is also bit increased @ 2,263 rupees. This time it has a faster processor, longer battery life and more programming capability than an earlier version. This low cost tablet has emerged because the government believes that low cost tablets can help revolutionise internet access and can reach all corners across India.
All thing is all right about the tablet but the distribution system has been an issue for quite a long time and the first tablet that was released quite a few months ago was received by only few schools. A right to information request filed by Indian media blog Medianama showed that only 572 of the first devices have been distributed, reaching fewer than 20 colleges.
Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told a group of teachers and students who had gathered to see the Aakash 2 that, “There was some delay in taking the project forward for reasons I don’t want to go into. The Aakash 2 sample devices are now being tested, with manufacturing projected to start by July or August. Aakash 2 will be manufactured by the same UK-based company Datawind, which faced criticism over delivery of the Aakash 1 in 2011.
