Here's some joyous news for enthusiasts. Quite contrary to the previous reports indicating that the better spec'd Aakash 2 tablet would get costlier than its predecessor. According to an Economic Times report, while the Aakash 2 will go few notches higher, as far as the specifications go, it will still be priced at $49. IT Minister, Kapil Sibal claims that it will still be priced at Rs.2,450 ($49), i.e. on similar lines as its predecessor. The tablet will be of an Indian make completely, very soon, too. The report further reveals that the makers of the Aakash tablet - Canada-based, Datawind will not be a part of the making on the Aakash 2 tablet, and that the government has roped in C-DAC and ITI, instead.
Awaiting a better, faster Aakash tablet
Quoting Sibal, the report stated, "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." Sibal further stated that the current year should see the launch of the upgraded version of the Aakash tablet, and that the project was riddled with several roadblocks. "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", he was quoted as saying by this report.
The tablet, ever since its grand launch has seen get into several controversies, many of which came from the fact that it was found to have several defects. Several controversies also cropped up when IIT-Rajasthan and Datawind had their differences come out in the open, and they showed just how incompatible they were, as far as specifications of the tablet went. While IIT-Rajasthan sought more military-styled specifications for the Aakash 2 tablet, Datawind decided to stay content with basic specifications. Now, however, things seem to be looking up and running for the Aakash 2 tablet, albeit with newer faces onboard. Only time will tell, if the upgraded tablet comes to the fore, this year.
To know all about the Aakash tablet, click here.
Michael Shribak/ Dr. Irina Arkhipova
Frank Fox
Dr. Jan Michels
Joan Röhl
Gerd A. Guenther
Charles Krebs
Dr. Andrew Gillis
Dr. John H. Brackenbury
Wim van Egmond
Dr. Ralf Wagner
Jonathan Franks
Wolfgang Bettighofer
Dr. Carlos Alberto Muñoz
