Specifications of Aakash Tablet – The Cheapest Tablet Yet

The Indian made Aakash LCAD Tablet was launched on 5th October 2011! It has been called ‘Aakash’ which literally translates to ‘Sky’. The tablet has basically been developed for students and keeping this in mind the price of the tablet has been kept affordable. The tablet was developed as an initiative by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development under Government of India. The basic version would cost a student only Rs 1,500 which is around $35. This is because of the subsidies that will be offered to students and institutions using the tablet. These would be available through government organizations to students and educational institutions. The commercial version which would have a few more features than the basic version would be marginally costlier. However, the Aakash LCAD Tablet still holds the distinction of being the world’s cheapest computing device.
When we talk of the specifications provided in the tablet experts feel that they are good but could have been better. The PC tablet is not meant for gaming purpose, it has in fact been developed especially for students, and it would be right to say it meets that purpose. To understand this we must first take a look at the general specifications of the tablet.
Specifications of Aakash LCAD Tablet –

• Developed by – Datawind
• Cost – Rs 2,276 (approximately $50) – Approximately Rs. 1500 for students
• Size – 190.5×118.5×15.7mm
• Screen size – 7” resistive
• Weight – 350gms
• Operating System – Android 2.2(Android Marketplace is missing, instead Getjar is installed)
• Processor -366 MHz, plus Graphics Accelerator and HD Video Co-processor
• Memory -256 MB RAM
• Storage –2GB Micro SD card expandable up to 32GB
• Connectivity – 2 USB ports (full sized)
• Battery – 2100mAh
• Camera – External USB
• Network – Wi-Fi Enabled
• Web Browser – DataWind Accelerated Browser
• Modem – Inbuilt cellular and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

The number of computer users in the world has grown manifold. In India however the percentage is less. Majority of school children do not have access to a computer. This little device will enable all students to own a computer and it can aid in improving the educational levels especially in rural areas. The tablet is affordable and is developed for the masses, yet it has everything a tablet computer must be. The small size and light weight make it convenient to carry the device around and this is just the beginning of its advantages.
Advantages of the Tablet

• It coalesces access to available data in one device
• It provides different learning styles
• Has inimitable capabilities

The one big advantage is the touch screen, which can be used to write notes directly on the tablet using the stylus. This is of immense help to students who can store the notes and access them later for reviewing and compiling the notes. The flat surface enables the tablet to be placed on a desk or any other working surface for easy use. Overall it is a good device with some incredible features and specifications

Aakash Tablet Commercial Launch Postponed To Jan 2012

The much anticipated Android tablet, Aakash, will not be launched this year. You need to wait little more to own the world’s cheapest Android Tablet, priced at Rs 3,000.
A representative of DataWind, the Canadian owned company that is developing Aakash for the government of India, has recently announced that an upgraded version of Aakash Tablet would be available in the market by the end of the January, 2012.
Aakash was supposed to be available in retail stores by 2011 November end. So, the actual launch has been delayed for about 2 months. The Data Wind representative said that the delay in launch of the tablet had been due to improvements in the tablet and some issues related to manufacturing.
The good news about this postponement is that the improved version would include certain upgrades in terms of Operating System and processor speed. The original version was announced with a 366 MHz processor, the upgraded version would possess a much faster Cortex A8-700 MHz processor along with graphics accelerator and HD video processor
Other specifications include a resistive touchscreen, , 2GB internal memory, and 256 MB RAM, one standard USB port, 3 mm audio jack, 7 inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, GPRS and WiFi support.
The company had previously announced that the premium tablets available in the market are for the higher class and DataWind could not compete with them at the price it is offering the tablet for; also added that it is manufacturing high quality products in India for Indian users at a reasonable price.
The chief executive officer of DataWind, Suneet Singh Tulu, had earlier said to the media that they had not set any time frame for future launches yet they were working on 9 and 10 inch Android Tablets. They would include capacitive touchscreens and the company would try to price them under Rs 5,000.

Aakash Tablet Delivery Delayed

1. Aakash Tablet reaches 14 Lakh Bookings in 14 days!!!
2. Aakash Tablet’s Upgraded Version, Ubislate 7, sold out till February. Prebooking open for March.
3. Datawind, which produces Aakash Tablet, is planning to set up two more factories in Cochin and Noida to meet the demand.

Aakash Tablet, available for sale online on December 15, was supposed to be delivered within a week of its booking.
Two days ago the manufacturer, DataWind, announced that Aakash was sold out. Now the latest update from the company is that people who booked Aakash Tablet online will have to wait for the delivery till January 2012. However, the reason behind the delay is not mentioned.
All the students and other people who have been waiting excitingly to have the first touch of their dream tablet, Aakash, have to wait till next month. Those who are disappointed for Aakash being sold out still have a chance to pre-book UbiSlate, upgraded version of Aakash, through its official website at Rs 2,999 which is just Rs 499 more than the original version.

The upgraded version is powered by Android 2.3 and is more powerful than the original one. UbiSlate will have a a resistive touchscreen, Cortex A8-700 MHz processor and graphics accelerator HD video processor, 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal memory. Other specifications are – one standard USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack, a 7 inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, resistive touchscreen, GPRS and WiFi support.
UbiSlate is more costly than Aakash, because along with the above specifications, the commercially available upgraded version will have a cellular modem which allows the tablet to deliver web access anywhere when there is a cellular connectivity, and also it will function as a mobile phone. Another important point to note about both the tablets is that internet access will be priced at Rs 99 for 2 GB.

How to Buy aakash tablet

The much anticipated world’s ultra low cost Tablet PC, Aakash tablet is finally available for sale online and is creating vibrations all around. Datawind, the developers of Aakash has put up for sale about 30,000 tablets on the internet at the cost of Rs 2500 each and the delivery is done in 7 days.
You can also pre-book Aakash Tablet’s upgraded version, UbiSlate 7, at the cost of Rs 2999 which will be launched during the end of January, 2012. This next generation of Aakash Tablet is loaded with better features and functionalities. Both the tablets are commercially available to everyone at its official website through Cash On Delivery option.

Specifications	Aakash	UbiSlate 7 (The upgraded version of Aakash)
Availability	NOW!	Late January, 2012
Pricing	Rs.2,500	Rs.2,999
Microprocessor	Arm11 – 366Mhz	Cortex A8 – 700 Mhz
Battery	2100 mAh	3200 mAh
OS	Android 2.2	Android 2.3
Network	WiFi	WiFi & GPRS (SIM & Phone functionality)

Aakash’s commercial version is powered by Android 2.3 and has a resistive touchscreen, a 7 inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 256 MB RAM, 2 GB internal memory, 3.5 mm audio jack, and a graphics accelerator HD video processor.
According to Economic Times, Datawind has achieved presale orders of approximately 400,000 tablets from various companies and individuals. However, the current supplies will be limited for individual buyers only.
According to sources, the Indian government is also planning to provide a new specification for Aakash, which will have a better battery life and a faster processor. The battery life of current version is about 1.5 hours.

The Indian government has obtained 10,000 tablets till now and it needs to obtain 90,000 more tablets for distribution in colleges and schools. Many other nations are also showing interest to the government for similar low-cost computing devices.
The CEO of DataWind, Mr. Suneet Singh Tuli says to media “This is a made-in-India product. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this.” he adds, “The final goal is to either provide the same features at a lower cost or provide better functionality and features at the same cost.”
The tablet has a lot of add-on accessories as well. External antennas and car charges can be attached to it. You can also use a keyboard case. It comes with two USB ports and can be used as a phone. The commercial version will have a 3G option and also supports an external 3G dongle.
At the launch of Aakash, The Telecom and Education Minister, Kabil Sibbal, said, “The rich have access to the digital world, the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide.”
Definitely there is no other touch pad computing device or tablet available close to the price of Aakash or UbiSlate 7. It is an up-to-date and low cost computing device which comes with a lot of attractive features and functionalities. Though the basic aim of this tablet is to provide low cost tablet for students, anyone can buy it from Aakash official website.

aakash tablet for indian students

From next academic year, students of INDIAN University will have their own tablet PC with touchscreen just for Rs 1,138.
The world’s cheapest tablet PC Aakash was launched officially by the ministry of Human Resource Development on 5^th October, 2011. This 350 gm, 7-inch tablet PC will be available for all University affiliated colleges for e-learning.
Director of board of college and university development, Rajpal Hande, said that they have issued notices to all affiliated departments and colleges on the availability of Aakash to university students at a lower cost than the market price. They are expecting the colleges to get back to them with requirements. Also he said, “We are hoping that students will avail the facility as they are getting it at almost 50% discount. I am also told an improved version of the tablet will be launched in February, so the students might get an upgraded version.”
The university has issued a circular to the colleges asking them to come up with the requirements once after discussing with their students. According to the circular, the tablet is available for undergraduates and postgraduates in engineering, science, commerce, humanities and social studies.
Mohan Kumar, in-charge of Aakash and director of Life Long Education atMumbaiUniversity, said, “We will provide tablet PC to everyone who needs it. But we don’t know if we can cater to 6.5 lakh students in one go.” Also, he said they would soon discuss the distribution method with the colleges, and the university would send it to the Centre by end of the February after finalizing the requisition.
NationalMissionon Education through Information and Communication Technology is planning to offer high quality interactive education and knowledge to students through Aakash over the intranet/internet to students acrossIndia.
Mohan Kumar also stated that the price of Aakash is subsidized and is available at Rs 1,138 for Mumbai University students, and if the colleges wanted to reduce its price further they could do it at their end.
The tablet PC hasn’t reached Mumbai yet, but all the students are very excited to own it. Many students are willing to own this tablet PC as it is very cheap. They claim that carrying a laptop to college or anywhere is cumbersome; instead carrying a tablet PC would be great and helpful for presentations.
Through Aakash, students will be able to access knowledgebase e-content offered by 100 universities through the website sakshat.ac.in
Probably, the upgraded version of Aakash, UbiSlate 7, may be available in the market while the university comes up with the requirements of its 650 colleges and sends the information to the Centre. UbiSlate is expected to be launched during the end of January, 2012.