beyondbrics

Reaching for the Aakash (tablet) – which means ‘sky’ in Hindi – may prove to be just that, after a series of performance complaints and development hiccups have hit the Indian government’s pet project to develop the world’s cheapest tablet computer.

Test runs of the $49 device (Rs 2,414), which was launched with much fanfare last year, have revealed slow operating speeds, a short battery life, and a lack of relevant content for the target audience of students.

Analysts who have tested the device said the lack of a supporting ‘ecosystem’, like continuous power supply and IT-trained teachers, is an added problem for the project, as is its limited appeal in the professional world.

“Though technically not sound, Aakash is very price-competitive,” said Vishal Tripathi, principal research analyst at Garnter, a technology research firm. “[In terms of quality] it would also depend with which devices it is being compared. Users must understand that for that kind price tag, one can’t expect anything close to the seamless experience of Apple’s iPad or a Samsung Galaxy tab. The device is one aspect of the overall solution… the whole ecosystem needs to be built: relevant apps, overcoming electricity challenges, investment in educating the teachers to handle.”

Though pre-orders for the tablet stand at 3m, only a few thousand have been distributed due to the halting roll-out of the device. Last week, local media reported Kapil Sibal, minister for human resource development, as saying, “There have been some problems with Datawind I must confess. Therefore, I have got into the act…I am going to ensure that this product is fully indigenous and truly an Indian product,” he said, according to the Business Standard.

Datawind, the London-based company behind the design and development of the tablet – and the brunt of much of the criticism surrounding it – said it remains associated with the project, though the Indian government is open to other players developing the upgraded Aakash 2, due to be launched in April.

“The government has said that they are committed to buying the original 100,000 units from Datawind, and that Datawind is welcome to bid on future projects, as the government rolls out their vision for 220m devices to equip each and every student in India,” Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO of Datawind told beyondbrics in an email. “We’ve recommended to the government that they consider a higher level of [specifications] for the next tender [and] they’ve agreed…We are committed to this project for the long-term, as we share the vision of using technology to break the digital divide.”

Given the grievences that were out of Datawind’s control, potential suppliers for the Aakash 2 might want to get their excuses lined up early.

Related reading:
India’s digital revolution needs more than Aakash, beyondbrics
India unveils cheapest tablet computer, FT
Sky’s the limit for India’s $35 tablet, FT