TechFundu

India has come up with a USD 35 (INR 1500) touch-screen “laptop” a computing prototype that it aims to make available to students from elementary schools to universities.

It has the following features:

• It has single unit system which has a touch screen.
• It has a keyboard which is in-built.
• It consists of 2 GB RAM memory.
• It comprises of wifi connectivity and USB port.
• It is operated by a 2 watt system so that it can even perform in areas where power supply is low.
• The laptop uses Linux system.

The Rs.1500 Laptop has additional features such as:

• Video web conferencing facility,
• Multimedia content viewer for example pdf, jpeg, zip, etc,
• Computing capabilities such as Open Office, SciLab and
• Internet browsing with flash plug-in, JavaScript.

The gadget, developed by the elite Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, is part of a push to give students a better education and technical skills needed to boost India’s economic growth.

The first users are expected to be university students with introduction of the Linux-based computing device targeted for next year.

The ministry is going to install broadband Internet at all of its 22,000 colleges so students can use the 1,500-rupee device.

The tablet gadget, which can be run on solar power, is equipped with an Internet browser, video-conferencing capability and a media player, among other facilities.

“This is part of the national initiative to take forward inclusive education,” Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters on Thursday.

“The solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India,” he said. Sibal said the cost of the motherboard, chip, processing and other components cost a total of around 35 dollars but the government may subsidise 50 per cent of the price for students.

Sibal said the government, which hopes the cost of the device can eventually fall to 10 dollars, is in discussions with global manufacturers to start mass production of the device.