Datawind aims to make $20 tablet computer (CBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

The Canadian Press
Posted: Mar 12, 2014 3:35 PM ET| Last Updated: Mar 12, 2014 4:03 PM ET

The Canadian makers of the "world's lowest cost tablet," the UbiSlate 7Ci, think $37.99 still isn't cheap enough.

They figure there's still room to knock about 50 per cent off its price and make tablet ownership possible for anyone and everyone.

"This idea is to bridge the digital divide, it's really that simple, the idea is to overcome the affordability barrier," says Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli during an interview at his Toronto-area office, one of five the company has in Canada, England, Germany and India.

"We think as the Scandinavians do that (internet access) is a fundamental human right."

On the second floor of an unassuming strip mall — strategically located within spitting distance of Toronto's Pearson airport, where Tuli says he's coming from or going to a few times a week — the Datawind team is working on its strategy to sell cut-rate "good enough" tablets.
***
more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/datawind-aims-to-make-20-tablet-computer-1.2570074

[hunter]

1. I haven't played with a 7Ci yet.

I wish it wasn't bogged down with Android, but I'm not an ordinary user.

Certainly some nice root kits will be coming along and easily available by the time I get my hands on one.

I'm still waiting for schools to adopt fully open source textbooks and nearly indestructible tablets. Then I'll know the 21st century has truly arrived.

I'm not so interested in "Angry Birds" or any other games.

[Xithras]

2. It's a great example of "you get what you pay for".

The 7Ci is cheap in every sense of the term. 2.5Gb of storage, one of the lousiest screens you've ever seen, horrendous battery life, and an incredibly slow CPU. It's cheap because they build it with outdated technology that none of the major manufacturers will sell any longer.

On the flip side, at under $40 it's an incredible deal for the majority of the worlds population that can't afford to skip down to the Apple Store or the local Best Buy every 6 months for a technology update.

[PowerToThePeople]

3. What benefit does it serve?

Honestly, if you really do not have any computing currently, you can get full functioning systems (old but usable and serviceable) from ECyclers and/or Goodwill types of places for about the same amount.

[Codeine]

4. It is aimed at the Third world, I think.

A battery-powered tablet is probably far more useful in an environment where electricity is unpredictable and where individuals may have limited personal storage space. A young student can use a tablet - even an underpowered and outmoded one - anywhere, while a regular PC may be less practical.

[PowerToThePeople]

5. I can see that.

I always wanted an XO, but never got around to adding one to the collection.

[hunter]

6. That's true in some places, not most places.

I quit buying working computers in the 20th century. My laptop was broken and in the $10 junk pile. I fixed it with some other junk I had. I've found working, still useful, computers left out on the curb with "free" signs on them.

It's not that way in most of the world, not even most of the U.S.A..