Relevance of Low Cost ($50) Android Tab "Aakash" in Indian Context
By premsingh
Indian market is flooded with 7" Tablets. If you ask a commoner (spare techies) naming few Tabs, it is most likely that the respondent won't be able to tell the name of a single brand of tablet PC. This situation is likely to change soon and one may find people using "Aakash" Tabs in the three tier air-conditioned and sleeper coaches of the trains.Development of Aakash is an effort by India to get its 1.2 billion population connected to internet and mobile technology.In India, the study of internet use published recently revealed that despite nearly 15 fold increase in internet users between 2000 and 2010, only 8 percent of Indians have access to internet compared to 40 percent population in china using internet technology.Human Resources Development Ministry is planning to subsidize "Akash" Tab for distribution among students studying in post secondary colleges. After distribution to college & universities, tablet PC has to be distributed to students studying in classes from standard IX to class XII. Single piece of tablet PC will cost rs 1225/- something to students whereas its commercial version named UBISLATE will be available commercially at a price of Rs 2999/-. HRD Ministry is planning to buy 1.0 lakh units from the manufacturing company 'DataWind' that has developed the "Aakash" in collaboration with IIT, Rajasthan.
 | Amazon Price: $199.00 |
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Dell Streak 7 16GB Wifi + 3G/4G Unlocked 7inch Android Tablet PC
Current Bid: $159.99
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7" Google Android 2.2 Tablet PC MID WM8650 800MHZ HDD 4GB WiFi G-Sensor Camera
Current Bid: $58.98
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Where does it stand?
Tablets could not catch the Indian users due to higher costs and people's ignorance of the functionality of the gadget. There are several tablets like Beetle Magiq, Reliance tablet, Kindle Fire etc. in the range of Rs 10000-15000. Chinese tablets are also available in the price range of Rs 5000-6000. Chinese products are not advisable considering quality of the products. Price and functionality of the "Aakash' is definitely going to make it popular in India. Students may feel bit dis-comfortable with absence of a camera but it seems that HRD Ministry has knowingly done it considering MMS scandals in the schools and colleges. Just kidding. Camera may not be feasible to use in a 7" tab considering the movement and angles of the object being shot. Other disadvantage with "Aakash" may be felt with its inability to use Android Application Market but considering its target users this deficiency may be overcome by free access to the students of the ecosystem filled with and surrounded by education related material.
Since tabs are convenient to carry, these become useful to connect with internet.Aakash is equipped with WiFi so one browse internet in the hotels and airports conveniently. However, non-starred hotels and bus stands do not provide WiFi connectivity. Even International Airports ask for paid use of WiFi. Even schools to which target students may belong don't have WiFi facility in majority of cases. Government should first think of providing WiFi connectivity in Government schools, villages and far off villages. Commercial version of the Aakash is provided with inbuilt cellular modem so it may help one connected while touring other places.Student version may lack this facility assuming that students will use it in their schools and homes.Best thing about using internet with Aakash is its compatibility to 3G. It may use 3G networks if an external dongle is attached to its USB port.
More information about "Aakash" is available at the DataWind website. Features, specifications and information related to accessories is provided on this site. One may contact them for availability & other inquiries (booking related) clicking "Aakash Tab Information".
Updates:
- Processor speed to be enhanced to 800 MHz
- Screen quality is being improved
- Connectivity for LAN is being provided
- Online booking is available for students' version and pre booking for UbiSlate 7 (upgraded version of Aakash) on datawind website.
- Cash on delivery is to be made @ Rs 2500 for student version & @Rs 2999 for UbiSlate7.
- Retail outlets may get the improved version of Aakash tablet by January end
SNAP OF OTHER TABS
Click thumbnail to view full-size
What will feel lacking?
- As I said earlier, this device does not have a camera. It's not a big issue.
- It does not have GPS but then despite its availability GPS presently is not used by majority of mobile users in India. Hence, users won't mind absence of GPS system in the Aakash tabs.
- It may not be felt a big issue at present that device has a processor with a speed of just 366 MHz. Availability of on chip graphic accelerator and HD Video processor will help run videos smoothly. However, users may feel disappointed after few years when they observe that their operating System is difficult to upgrade since device has a memory of 256 MB RAM.
- Aakash can operate on battery for a maximum period of three hours. This is great drawback. If all the children in a class get one Aakash Tab, how a three hour back up help them to work on it for a minimum period of six hours. Expenditure of schools will increase on providing infra-structure facilities for plugging these devices in addition to increase in electricity consumption. Devices is said to literate poor people but most of the villages in India get electricty for 2-3 hours per day and device requires four hour charging for full charge of the device.
- Considering the price of the device, it may not be a justifying demand to ask for a capacitive touchscreen since AIrtel's Beetle Magiq priced at Rs 9999/- has the same touchscreen. Reliance 3G Tab, however, comes with capacitive touch screen but its very costly compared to beetle Magiq and Aakash.
Reliance 3G Tab & Beetle Magiq
Reliance 3G is made up of plastic and look-wise appears pretty good. Operating system is Android 2.3 that allows number of applications run on this version. Applications in Beetle Magiq runs on Android 2.2 that has a custom skin. Screen resolution of both Reliance 3G and Beetle Magiq is same i.e. 800 x 480 pixels.However, display of Reliance 3G Tab is capacitive which makes touch experience more enjoyable than Beetle Magiq that has resistive touch screen.Storage capacity of 8 GB with 512 MB of Memory with slots for SIM and micro SD card makes Beetle Magiq very impressive. Customers have to compromise either on specs or price for their choices of Tabs depending on their preferences.
Comments
If any body want......tab contact me 9566091637
when will you come?
For Ubislate 7 +.
Contact Authorized Distributor
ETL and CO, Spiritual Learning
74, City Center, Near Amrit color Lab
and Bus Stand.
9914141926
Call : 183-2557220
I WANT TO BUY TAB PLZ CONT DIS NO PLZ * 9121419697 *
I have a SAMSUNG GalaxyS2 and I want to sell
please call me if you want to recive
my contact no'-08880444167
08904514930
I HAVE AKASH TAB.I WANT 2 SELL
PLZ CONTACT 09494551552
the low price tab 2345/- only . made by GIET STUDENTS
09849590486
APPAM TABLET COMMING SOON PRICE VERY CHEAP 2345/- ONly
I WNT 2 AKASH .TEL ME THE PROCESS
Allahabad me kab aayega
hi . . .nd i want 2 buy aakash tab . . . . . . . . .nd mai pre-booking vi kr diya hai . .bt yeh kb tk milega . . Plz tel me. . . My mob no-9044886322
IAM A STUDENT.Mujhe akashtab bhahut pasand aya. Mai ise lena chahata hu.plese ye tab booking kaise hoga plz call me this information my phon no.9932522175
ye tab booking kaise hoga plz cl me this information plz plZ my no.9999161726
Thanks for launching above product i really proud of you.very sad thing government is not given financial support to those people who are using talent for competition of world market.they must release maximum funds for your production & your creativity.please try to available in Navi Mumbai.i want to purchase. please send me details of distributor name 7 phone numbers in mumbai. or navi mumbai.please send details on my website www.kailasdarole.com
Important: Please inquire about the Aakash availability clicking DataWind website link in the hub under "Update" section. Govt. has booked only few thousands of Aakash tablet for distribution in the schools. However, makers of tab are giving its commercial version at a price of Rs 2999/- and student version @ Rs 2500/-. Anyone can book student version. It means all the hype was created by HRD ministry to attract people's attention towards "Aakash" tab, to get credit for it and later on ...
Mujhe akashtab bhahut pasand aya mai ise lena chahata hu i love aakash tab plz plz plz i want aakash tab plz contact Mobile.N 8898335884 i am Ye tab mumbai mai kab aayaga i am office workig javed shaikh1234595@yahoo.com
Can we connect usb webs cams to ubislate7 or akash tab for video callings
SINGH SIR when it will b available in allahabad and where
ur lov is so cheep mam
i love aakash tab plz plz plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz i wanted to buy the aakash tab .....
i love aakash tab plz plz plz i want aakash tab plz contact me on 8507015867
I like this tab very much and i want to buy this......how i will get this from the market at the price of 1250/- as i am a student.....pls help me.....
I AM A STUDENT OF STD 12 AND I WANT AKASH TAB . SO PLZ CONTACT ME ON MY PHONE NO 7277435939
I AM A STUDENT OF STD 12 AND I WANT TO BUY AKASH TAB.PLZ CONTECT ME ON MY MOB NO.9939932070
Mujhe akashtab bhahut pasand aya mai ise lena chahata hu Mobile.N 9804018269
i have Aakash tab but speed is very low its like a p3 also
the world goes to core i3,i7 and i9
and speed processing is so low its not for working pc its only for entertaintment
I want aakash tab @rs 3000/.my contact no-8603294667 myemailid-aditya patel5511@gmail.com
When it will be available to students in amritsar,punjab?????
December's going to end but still not available.......
Plz inform me mast_boy88@yahoo.in
Am a engineering student when wil launch phone included akash tap..., pls contact:7299215371
FROM WHERE I WILL GET THIS TABLET IN BHOPAL MY E MAIL ID praveenlic88@gmail.com plz tell me immedatiolay
When it is gonna come in gujarat?
i am really very excited...
Plz reply on
nssuperior08@gmail.com
I am engineering studend. Buy to tab for me plze contec 8866192060
Kya ye tab kolkata me mil raha hai to kaha par milega pls tell me on my nmbr 8981580568
Maine akash tab. Book kr dya hai . But mjhe ye nhi pta ki wo mjhe kb tak milega. Kya ap mjhe bta skte ho. Plz.,
Ye tab delhi mai kab aayaga
Ye tap delhi me kha milega ,please call me 9818363066
yippy i hv got Akash Tab in Delhi, Realy it's wonderful, just Rs. of 3075 i am very happy and if u need my help call me 09873230720
where is available in nagpur city. i want to purchase that product. thanks lot of
mujhe ye tab 1225 ka kha milega mai 12th class ka open school ka student hu please mujhe ye tap kis tarah milega mere id siddharth.juneja106@gmail.com hai.
i buy a akash tap online Rs 1225
Where can i get this. plz send name in maharastra state distributers near to the nashik.
8237710654
i have akash mbo no. 9975903733
plz send name in maharastra state in satara dist. distributers
when this tablet arrive in tamilnadu?
super
plz kerala distribut
thanks sameer for comment.
Hats off to akash
Please tell me process of finding akash tab
at
email bahadur.tej2@gmail.com
phone 9808452211
plz
As the name implies INDIANS are reaching for de sky...waitin eagerly 2 use and see an INDIAN product world wide...gr8 wrk INDIA
kya ye tab 11th wale ke liye available hai .please send me a mail at rohit.chauhan734@gmail.com
when is it hittin in d marketz????
im a student...n how cn i enroll for it???
KYA YEHTAB AMRITSAR ME AA GAYA HAI
When is coming 2 tha market
hw cn i get akash,s tab ... i want it
contact:-9891356564
I have aakash tab
contact:-8511124632
thanks Akshay
Vere nice
thanks nitesh & kapil. Aakash is likely to become available in the last week of november.
Nice one this best ever in world, Akash tab is one of the cheafest tab ...i like one
I like this tab ,when it is going to launch in bhopal
Thanks vineet, ditto
no comparisom... Finally india show its talent..
it has to be first given to students seeking higher technical education and later on to students enrolled in classes from 9th to 12th standards.
kya ye tab 11th wale ke liye available hai .please send me a mail at surajraj085@gmail.com
thanks abhishek & 007
Super
hats off to government and akash for removal of this tab i am intrested in it thanks
SUPER
Dear Pankaj,Rubel &Shatak you may register at DataWind site for booking of the device. Link is given above in the box.
yesterday, there was a report in he newspapers that HRD Ministry has suggested for improvements in the screen. Its not yet clear whether they plan to change resistive scren to capacitive one but screen of the "Aakash' is being improved as users have reported problems in the use of touch screen. They are also thing to upgrade processor to 800 MHz.Since connectivity is through WiFi, plans are afoot to provide a jack for broadband cable insertion.Its not yet known how much these changes would affect the price of the unit.
nice good theory of govt. and i love this tab and i want to buy this tab today
I am ready to buy ,,,, just waiting for release ....
from where should i get this ???
thanks Ajay Khandekar. there is no doubt that Aakash Tab is cheapest one for students since it is being heavily subsidized. However, one has to be vigilant about the commercial version. DataWind has to resist the temptation from making lifetime profit from ubislate.
Nice one this best ever in world, Akash tab is one of the cheafest tab ....... i like one.....
Ajay Khandekar.....
09823890885
mufitkhan@yahoo.com 2 months ago
why this product so cheap ?