Upgraded Aakash to be launched at same price in April 2012

The Aakash is an Android-based tablet computer produced by British company DataWind. It is manufactured by the India-based company Quad, at a new production centre in Hyderabad, under a trial run of 100,000 units.The tablet was officially launched as the Aakash in New Delhi on October 5, 2011

Now ‘Aakash’, the world’s cheapest tablet, will be fully indigenous soon and its improved version will be launched by the government at the same price in April 2012. The Aakash tablet is priced at approximately USD 49 (Rs 2414).

Telecom and HRD minister Kapil Sibal said Datawind – “the manufacturer of the product – will not be associated with it anymore and the Government has roped in C-DAC and ITI in further development of the tablet computer.” “There have been some problem with Datawind I must confess. Therefore, I have got into the act. IT ministry has got C-DAC and ITI into the act and I am going to ensure that this product is fully indigenous and truly an Indian product,” he added.

On whether the new tablet will be available within the same price range as that of the earlier product, he said, “Yes that’s what we hope. It is to be upgraded.”

On the possible timeline for launching it, he said, “Well, 2012 should seen the sun… Aakash-II should be launched. There have been some hiccups in the way.Remember when you do a project of this nature and when your dream is as big as this, things are never that smooth.”

“I think its a great thing if there is competition. Ultimately my objective is to get a quality product in the hands of the children. I have set the benchmark, it has changed the mindset of the world, I can tell you that,” the Minister said.

Everybody now wants to produce a tablet which is of quality and which is reasonably affordable, he noted.

“So if the whole world wants to produce, I don’t care who produces, if ultimately it is produced by somebody for children,” he underlined.