Aakash – World’s Cheapest Tablet Computer | Features Specification | Price | Your doubts answered..

▶ Aakash – World’s Cheapest Tablet Computer | Features Specification | Price | Your doubts answered..
▶ Key Features – Android OS, USB, Wi-Fi, 2GB RAM, 32GB Hard Disk, 7 inch touchscreen LCD, 3-hour battery life, In-built Keyboard, solar charging options & more.
▶ Key Functions -  Video conferencing, Multimedia support, Internet browsing, Open Office, SciLab & more.
▶ Price – Rs.2200 ($49) | Subsidized Price – Rs.1100 ($25).

Aakash – the World’s cheapest tablet computer ever made is India’s best contribution to the gadget world. This revolutionary gadget is a result of the Government of India’s ambitious project to manufacture ultra low-cost tablet devices for the students, as part of the National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology that aims to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities in an e-learning program via an existing Aakash portal.

Here are few FAQ’s that will help you get the first hand information about Aakash.

Q1>> What is Aakash ?

Ans: Aakash is a hand-held tablet computer capable of performing most of the operations of a standard computer. It is mainly built to aid education in India.

Q2>> What does the name Aakash mean ?

Ans: The name Aakash means “sky“.

Q3>> How was it developed ?

Ans: This tablet was in development for long time and is an outcome of collective efforts from the Indian Institute of Science, various IITs and UGC.

Q4>> What is the price of Aakash ?

Ans: Early reports suggest that the tablet is likely to be priced at Rs 2,200 ($ 49), out of which the Indian government will subsidize the 50 per cent of the cost – bringing down the price to Rs 1,100 ($25) .

Q5>> What are the prominent features of Aakash ?

Ans: The reports about the device’s features vary greatly. However it is said to have the following features :

• Android OS.
• 7 inch touchscreen LCD.
• Front-facing camera.
• USB port.
• Wi-Fi.
• 32 GB hard disk.
• 2 GB RAM.
• Solar charging option.
• 3-hour battery life.
• In-built Keyboard.
• Rugged casing with a rubberized feel.
• Headphone jack.

Q6>> What are the operations that Aakash can handle ?

Ans: Aakash can do most of the operations that are done by a standard computer. They are :

• Video conferencing facility.
• Multimedia content viewer ( .pdf, .docx, .ods, .adp, .doc, .xls, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .odt, .zip, AVI, AC3, etc..).
• PDF reader.
• Unzip tool to unzip zip files.
• Computing abilities such as Open Office & SciLab .
• Media player able to play streamed and stored media files.
• Internet browsing.
• JavaScript.
• Rendering YouTube and other online video services (open source Flash players).
• and few more functions..

Q7>> When will the shipping of Aakash begin?

Ans: Nearly 10,000 tablets will be dispatched to IIT-Rajasthan later this month (June 2011), while some 90,000 devices will be rolled out over the next few months.

Q8>> When can I buy this device ?

Ans: Initially this device will be distributed by HRD Ministry to IITs and other Universities. Only after the successful distribution and good feedback of the device, measures will be taken to distribute it to other sections and common-man.

Q9>> Where can I buy this device ?

Ans: Refer to the answer of Q8 above.

Q10>> Is it a Laptop or Tablet ?

Ans: Though it was touted to be a laptop, designed specifically for students, later due to certain design and cost issues, it turned out to be a tablet.

Q11>> Is it worth the money ?

Ans: Yes. It’s a good value for money, considering the relatively ample storage space on offer, Wi-Fi Internet Browsing and its ability to handle multimedia content with ease.

Q12>> Will the retail price be same as that offered to students ?

Ans: No. It wont be retailed at this price.

Q13>> Can I call it a cheapest android device on earth ?

Ans: Of-course yes. It is not just the cheapest android device but also the cheapest tablet computer on earth ever made.

Q14>> Will Aakash affect the prices of notebooks and laptops ?

Ans: With the entry of Aakash into the markets, notebooks and laptop makers will have some tough fight to face. This may eventually result in the price tumbling of notepads and laptops.

Q15>> What does this mean to Indian schools ?

Ans: Access to IT in the education system will grow very rapidly. Because of the government’s great push forward in IT, every school will have these devices and, at some stage, every person will have access to IT. Effective methods of imparting education using e-learning and e-books would potentially change the way of learning.

Q16>> What does this mean to Rural India ?

Ans: Computer literacy is very poor in Rural areas of India. Aakash is considered to be a revolutionary gadget, as it aims to connect the rural India with the ongoing technology boom. The tablet, which is mainly meant for students, is an attempt to ensure accessibility of information and latest technology for the masses in the rural areas.

Q17>> What would be the future enhancement to Aakash ?

Ans: The enhancements would certainly come as the days pass. The world’s leading OS provider Microsoft has offered Windows CE to this device while Google is already in further talks with Government of India.

Q18>> I am still doubtful of this device ! Help..
Ans : Doubts about the tablet being vaporware( a term in the computer industry that describes a product that is announced to the public but is never actually released nor officially canceled ) were dismissed in a television program “Gadget Guru” aired on NDTV in August 2010. Here is the video clip to clarify your doubt.

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Q19 >> Can I watch some more videos ?

Ans : Yes, definitely. Here are few prominent ones.

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With the development of this World’s cheapest tablet computer, I strongly feel that – ” The solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India”