308 - Follow low-cost Aakash project proactively: Parl panel to govt - Economic Times

Follow low-cost Aakash project proactively: Parl panel to govt

By PTI | 21 Dec, 2015, 11.20PM IST

Stressing the importance of indigenous low-cost devices, like Aakash, a Parliamentary panel has asked the government to follow the project proactively as it has can help in digital inclusion. 

NEW DELHI: Stressing the importance of indigenous low-cost devices, like Aakash, a Parliamentary panel has asked the government to follow the project proactively as it has can help in digital inclusion. 

The Aakash project, which was the brain child of former Union Minister Kapil Sibal, was sanctioned in January 2009 and was initially a project of Human Resource Development Ministry. 

The project was transferred to IIT Bombay in April 2012, and in mid-2013 it was decided that Department of Electronics and IT would take it forward. 

The vendor neutral technical specifications for 'Aakash IV' were finalised in August 2013 and a tender for the tablets was put out by DGS&D in January 2014. 

However, no vendor was able to meet the specifications and the new specifications have not been finalised by the government. 

The Standing Committee on Information Technology (2015-16), headed by BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur, in its report said notes furnished by the department reveals that there has been no progress in the matter as new technical specifications have still not been finalised. 

"The committee, while reiterating the importance of low cost devices Aakash IV which has huge utility and potential for digital inclusion, especially in the context of flagship programmes like Digital India, desire the department to follow it up proactively," the report said. 

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307 - DataWind PC 7SC Tablet With Free Internet Access Launched in India at Rs. 2999, Available for Purchase Via Snapdeal

DataWind PC 7SC Tablet With Free Internet Access Launched in India at Rs. 2999, Available for Purchase Via Snapdeal

Sampoorna 19 December,2015

DataWind, the manufacturers of mobile internet devices such as UbiSurfer netbooks, Ubislate tablets and PocketSurfer smartphones has launched a new tablet called Datawind 7SC aka DataWind PC 7SC Tablet Launched in India. The company has launched a new budget tablet in India at an affordable price of Rs. 2,999. Apart from this launch, DataWind offers free Internet access for one year via the UbiSurfer browser as a result of its partnership with Reliance Communications and Telenor Networks this year.

DataWind is the company known for its development of the Aakash tablet computer, which is the world’s cheapest tablet developed for India’s Ministry for Human Resource Development. The DataWind 7SC tablet will be available for purchase through via the giant E-commerce portal, Snapdeal as well as the Snapdeal’s 24 X 7 TV commerce channel.

The tablet also includes the company’s Web-delivery platform which will offer fastest mobile Web experience on regular GPRS/ EDGE based network. The technology is said to be reported by 18 US patents and consumes 10 to 30 times less bandwidth. However, the company made it understandable that the free access to Internet would not include audio/video streaming or local-downloads, which will entail a different data plan.

Specifications

The new tablet sports a 7-inch WVGA display with a pixel resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. The device is powered by a 1.3GHz single-core MediaTek processor which is paired with 512MB RAM. On the Storage front, the device includes inbuilt storage of 4GB which can be further expanded up to 32GB via microSD card. It is a dual-SIM tablet that runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat Operating system out-of-the-box. Datawind 7SC supports 2G calling and can deliver 3G connectivity via a dongle.

Other the connectivity front, the device supports Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, and Bluetooth connectivity. The tablet is backed by a 2400mAh battery. The tablet is said to be capable of decreasing bandwidth consumption up to 10 times. This lets users load complex web pages instantly even on 2G networks in just 5 to 10 seconds. The DataWind 7SC tablet comes with a rear camera but, misses out on a front-facing camera. The device is exclusively available in a Black colour variant via the E-commerce portal, Snapdeal.

Suneet Singh Tuli, President and CEO of Datawind said, “We are launching this tablet to address the forgotten billions, who are our largest constituent of digital age today. We are very confident that 7SC will impress everyone with its superior quality and innovation. The growing ambition of people will find the product within their reach, geographically as well as economically.” 

Free Internet browsing is only available on a prepaid GSM SIM card from the aforesaid telecom operators. In the month of June, the company extended the free Internet programme from handsets to all its devices with mobile Internet connectivity.

- See more at: http://allindiaroundup.com/india/datawind-pc-7sc-tablet-with-free-internet-access-launched-in-india-at-rs-2999-available-for-purchase-via-snapdeal/#sthash.dwKq8D9V.dpuf