In the past, Datawind’s Aakash tablets managed to find their target audience, at least when it comes to educational institutes. Now, the production of the next version of the world’s cheapest tablet PC – Aakash 4 – is expected to begin in January 2014 in India.
The prices of the upcoming devices are expected to be reduced by Rs. 1,000 to Rs, 1,500 in a year. This information was confirmed by the Indian telecom minister Kapil Sibal, who said, “Aakash 4 now has been tendered for manufacturing. From January 2014, Aakash 4 which is like any other modern tablets in the country, is going to be manufactured by several players. (As many as) 18 people have actually participated in the tender”.
The minister was addressing students at Modern School in New Delhi. Tender for the upcoming Aakash 4 tablet has been floated by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals, for which the bids will be opened on December 20, 2013. Sibal went on to say that after 5 to 7 years, sufficient number of the Aakash devices will be available for every school in the country.
The new Aakash 4 is expected to have a 7-inch capacitative touch screen, which will also be scratch-resistant. The connectivity options of the device will include 2G, 3G and 4G, with 4 GB of internal storage.
Photo Credits: IBN
