Aakash (tablet)

Aakash (Asec Internationals as1753)
Image of the Ubislate7 – initial version of Aakash.
ManufacturerVMC Systems, Hyderabad[1]
TypeTablet computer
Introductory priceUS$35 / ₹ 2,250
MediaGSM Device
Operating systemAndroid 2.3 Gingerbread
CPUARM 11 Cortex A8 @ 800 MHz processor
Memory256 MB RAM
StorageFlash memory
Internal: 2 GB flash
External: 2 to 32 GB microSD slot
Display800 × 480 px
7 in (18 cm) diagonal
SoundBuilt in microphone; stereo earphones; 3.5 mm jack
InputMulti-touch touch screen
CameraNone
TouchpadResistive
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
Power3000 mAh li-po battery
Online servicesGetJar Market
Dimensions190.5 mm (7.50 in) H
118.5 mm (4.67 in) W
15.7 mm (0.62 in) D
Mass350 g (12 oz)
PredecessorSakshat
SuccessorAakash 2
RelatedUbiSlate 7+
Websitewww.akashtablet.com

Aakash a.k.a. Ubislate 7+,[2] is a low-cost Android-based tablet computer promoted by the Government of India as part of an initiative to link 25,000 colleges and 400 universities in an e-learning program.[3] It was produced by the British-Canadian company DataWind,[4] and manufactured by the company, at a production center in Hyderabad.[5] The tablet was officially launched as the Aakash in New Delhi on 5 October 2011. The Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development announced an upgraded second-generation model called Aakash 2 in April 2012.[6]

The Aakash had a 7-inch touch screen, ARM 11 processor, and 256 MB RAM[7] and ran the Android 2.2 operating system. It had two USB ports[8] and delivered high definition (HD) quality video.[7] For applications; the Aakash had access to Getjar, an independent market, rather than the Android Market.[8][9]

Originally projected as a "$35 laptop",[10] the device was to be sold to the Government of India and distributed to university students – initially at US$50[8] until further orders are received and projected eventually to achieve the target $35 price. A commercial version of Aakash was marketed as UbiSlate 7+[11] at a price of $60.[12] The Aakash 2, code named UbiSlate 7C, was released on 11 November 2012.[13]

  1. ^ Harsimran Julka, ET Bureau (2 June 2012). "Aakash 2, the cheapest tablet PC, misses May-end deadline". The Economic Times. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
  2. ^ Android Tablet| Smartphone Tablet Pc With SIM Slot Price In India Archived 5 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Ubislate.com (20 September 2012). Retrieved on 9 December 2013.
  3. ^ "India unveils prototype for $35 touch-screen computer". BBC World news-South Asia. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
  4. ^ Kurup, Saira (9 October 2011). "We want to target the billion Indians who are cut off". Times of India. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  5. ^ Timmons, Heather (6 October 2011). "Aiming for the Other One Billion". New York Times.
  6. ^ Budki, Sandeep (18 January 2012). "Datawind loses government edge". Themobileindian.com. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  7. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference gazette was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c "Meet Aakash, India's $35 'Laptop'". New York Times, 5 October 2011, Pamposh Raina and Heather Timmons. 5 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Aakash: We want to target the billion Indians who are cut off, says Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of DataWind". Economic Times, 9 October 2011, Saira Kurup. 9 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Low Cost access –Cum-Computing Device Unveiled by Kapil Sibal". Press Information Bureau. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  11. ^ "DataWind rebrands UbiSlate 7 as UbiSlate 7+".
  12. ^ "Aakash: World's cheapest tablet launched; to be sold for $60 in retail". Economic Times. India. 5 October 2011.
  13. ^ "President Unveils Aakash Version 2.0 Tablet on National Education Day Launches Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 11 November 2012.