ISTE’s India Correspondent Talks $35 Tablet Computer
Dr. Kapil Sibal is perhaps the most lovable minister of the Union Ministers of India. His enthusiasm and humor combine with audacity and persistence, plus he possesses a razor sharp brain trained at the Supreme Court of India. His leadership has already moved the Free & Compulsory Right to Education Act of 2009 farther, faster than India’s educators thought possible.
Dr. Sibal demonstrated all his dazzling charm and wit when he introduced a game-changing $35 iPad-like “slate” that has Wi-Fi, internet capability, touchscreen and the general shape of an iPad. It is stripped down to the barest essentials, yes, and not as pretty or smart as your iPad, but functionally it is the same device. And it only costs $35.
The amount of $35 is equivalent to Rs. 1,500, which is about the cost of an entry cell phone in India, one without camera or many extra features. Since the introduction of the cell phone in India 10 years ago it has gone from being an urban, upper class toy to a technology that at least 400 million subscribers depend on for their day-to-day interactions. The phone is one of the fastest technological adaptations by a mass population in history. Everyone has one, from the bottom to the top of India’s economic pyramid.
Most cell phone users pay an extra Rs. 1,500-Rs. 2,500 and get the camera, extra memory and a wide variety of ringtones. Having a cell phone is essential to work and identity in India, as well as globally.
Widespread 3G telephony is right around the corner. By this winter or next spring, massive investments in the 3G spectrum, software and marketing by both government cell phone companies and private companies like AirTel, Vodaphone, Tata Indicom, and Reliance will make India’s new 3G spectrum throb.
The timing of Dr. Kapil Sibal’s announcement of the “India Slate” or “I-Slate” (there is no official name yet) was perfect. The Right to Education Act has rolled out surprisingly well, despite some speed bumps. Beaming like a magician who knows his performance will awe and enthrall the expectant audience, Dr. Sibal called a press conference Thursday, July 22 in the afternoon. With the showmanship of Steve Jobs with a full head of white hair, Dr. Sibal got right to the point. He showed the I-Slate, explained its features, mentioned the price frequently, and then promised that the government would subsidize half the cost for India’s school-going children and college students. The old game is over. With this announcement Dr. Sibal launched a brand new game. Serious education technology: welcome to India!
The I-Slate is minimal in design, like the original prototype Nano car introduced by Tata Motors as the world’s cheapest car two years ago. There is a touchscreen, Linux software, 2 GB of flash memory, and a wi-fi and broadband access chipset of older vintage. There is no keyboard and no disk drive. I expect the version that rolls out later this winter in large quantity will offer the accessories for sale to those who want the upgrade, plus perhaps 8 GB of memory standard. After all, the 8GB chips are getting cheaper by the day.
Dr. Sibal was quick to point out how the memory can be easily upgraded. Like the iPad and other tablets, you will probably want the keyboard and you will have to buy it. Otherwise, a functional, if minimal, “slate” is now available at the same price as a cell phone. It can be used everywhere, especially schools and colleges. It’s a certified bargain.
Cell phone, move over; there’s a new platform in town. The $35 slate was designed in India by young engineers at the Indian Institutes of Technology – India’s MIT’s. Now for the killer apps. What was the iPhone without iTunes? The Kindle without ebooks? The iPad without games, movies, TV and the iTunes Store? What’s next for this exciting new platform?
Similar Posts:
- India Slate Set for Classroom Debut
- Using the India Slate to Change Education Pedagogy
- Designing India’s Future Classrooms
- India Looks Forward to Implementation of the Free & Compulsory Right to Education Act
- Free & Compulsory Education Act of 2009 Becomes Law in India
Leave a Comment