Communications of the ACM
High Hopes, Hard Realities for India's $35 Tablet Computer
The Indian government won headlines around the world when it unveiled a prototype $35 tablet computer in July, but questions are now growing over whether the project is just a pipe dream.
At the computer's launch, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal vowed "the solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India" as he revealed the breathtaking price tag—a fraction of the 500-dollar cost for an Apple iPad.
Officials said the touchscreen tablet computer would boast a three-hour power back-up, Internet browser, media player, video-conferencing capability, good data storage, hard disk drive and webcam. But some are striking a note of caution. "A computer with all normal functionalities at this price will not be sustainable unless it is subsidized by the government or the industry," says Terry Thomas of Ernst and Young.
The first 100,000 computers are slated to be released as soon as January, but details of its exact specifications are still scarce—as is the level of government subsidy that will be essential to keep the price down.
From AFP
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