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India announces $35 tablet computer — Parallax Forums

India announces $35 tablet computer

Luis DigitalLuis Digital Posts: 371
edited 2011-10-06 07:54 in General Discussion
http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/India-announces-35-tablet-computer-for-rural-poor-2203509.php

Why buy a microcontroller, LCD screen, memory...., when you can get more for less?

Comments

  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-10-05 21:00
    Interesting specs. Looks very similar to a 'pandapad" (epad, apad, etc). I'd like to know if they have written drivers for the USB ports for common things like a keyboard, mouse and (most importantly) a USB to serial device. The big limitation with pandapad touchpads is you can't interface them with anything (eg your robot) but if you could interface a USB to serial device you could get data in and out. I wonder if they will show up on ebay soon?

    Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo
    Processor: 366MHz
    Display: 7-inch resistive
    Dimensions: 190.5x118.5x15.7mm
    Market:GetJar (not Android Marketplace)
    Connectivity:WiFi, 2 USB 2.0 ports. No 3G
    Memory: 256MB RAM
    Storage: 2GB (with expandable 32GB Micro SD)
    Battery: 2100mAh. Translates to about 3 hours of regular use.
    Price:Rs 2,276 (Rs 1,500 for students)
  • rod1963rod1963 Posts: 752
    edited 2011-10-05 21:32
    It sounds like just another consumer media gadget not intended for CS/EE students and hobbyists, much like the elusive Raspberry PI. No useful I/O ports, keyboard, etc.
  • Kevin WoodKevin Wood Posts: 1,266
    edited 2011-10-06 01:56
    But the Raspberry Pi isn't a tablet device, either....
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2011-10-06 06:11
    Well it's generally easier to use a device for the purpose it was made then trying to retrofit new function on it. If the board wasn't designed with hacking in mind, then adding new firmware and finding the I/O headers could be a real challenge.

    But Moore's Law rules and eventually you'll be able to buy a Linux system on a chip with WiFi for $10. Given that a plug computer is $100 right now, that's probably about six years from now.

    BTW you don't want to run Android 2.2 on hardware like that. A Tegra 2 will give you a much better experience and almost all new 7" tablets are using that or a similar chip.
  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    edited 2011-10-06 07:54
    It was designed by a Company located in Montreal Canada - Datawind

    Web Site:
    http://datawind.com/html/about.htm

    Here's a video about the Tablet :

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWAVTLhgM5s&feature=player_embedded
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