Datawind, which developed 'Aakash', the world's cheapest web access device, has said it would collaborate with students to develop software applications for its tablets. The Canada-based company has invited innovative software applications from students for incorporation in its devices.
“The selected applications would be pre-burnt in our UbiSlate tablets, which would be launched in the open market in January,” said chief executive officer, Suneet Singh Tuli, who was in town to address a three-day annual entrepreneurial summit of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. Datawind would also award Rs 1 lakh to the five best entries, besides advertising-based revenue sharing contracts with the company. The company plans to ship five million tablets next year.
While Datawind has committed to the central government it would supply 100,000 units of Aakash, at around Rs 1,500/unit, the UbiSlate tablet would carry a price tag of Rs 3,000 in its commercial launch. The subsidised Aakash is meant to aid learning among college and university students.
Datawind has a sub-contract with a Hyderabad-based company for the supply of hardware, and is in the process of signing similar collaborations in Cochin and Noida for the supply of tablets. “We are getting business queries from private schools and institutions for bulk supply of our tablets,” Tuli said.
While Aakash relied on Wi-Fi technology, the UbiSlate would have a GPRS transceiver, along with other more features.
“We would offer internet access with UbiSlate, with a data pack worth less than Rs 100 per month,” Tuli said.
