Datawind Delivers Final Shipment of Sub-$50 Android Tablets in India, Completes Aakash 2 Project
Back in 2011, the Indian government in collaboration with Datawind and IIT Rajasthan developed a low-cost tablet for the masses dubbed the “Aakash”. That was followed by the Aakash 2 (commercially known as the UbiSlate 7Ci), which was designed to offer substantial upgrades over the previous version. Datawind promised to deliver 100,000 Aakash 2 tablets to India's government for (approximately) $49.98 each, and now the company has delivered on its promise.
Late in the process, the project was handled in part by IIT Bombay, which recommended some changes to the Aakash 2 design, including an embedded SIM slot, and the slightly tweaked versions were actually a bit cheaper at about $42. "We have supplied 98,000 of Aakash 2 devices and 2,000 devices with Datawind's recommendations for upgraded version of Aakash 2, all at a price of Rs. 2,263," said Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli.
The Aakash 2/UbiSlate 7Ci, which proved to be a popular device, runs Android 4.0.3 and features a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor; 512MB of RAM; 4GB of onboard storage; WiFi; a G-sensor; microSD, mini-USB, and an audio jack; a front VGA camera; and a capacitive touch screen.
Late in the process, the project was handled in part by IIT Bombay, which recommended some changes to the Aakash 2 design, including an embedded SIM slot, and the slightly tweaked versions were actually a bit cheaper at about $42. "We have supplied 98,000 of Aakash 2 devices and 2,000 devices with Datawind's recommendations for upgraded version of Aakash 2, all at a price of Rs. 2,263," said Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli.
The Aakash 2/UbiSlate 7Ci, which proved to be a popular device, runs Android 4.0.3 and features a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor; 512MB of RAM; 4GB of onboard storage; WiFi; a G-sensor; microSD, mini-USB, and an audio jack; a front VGA camera; and a capacitive touch screen.
