Aakash, the $35 Tablet from India Gets Official; Specs Include 366MHz CPU, 256MB RAM, and Runs Froyo

Remember last year’s $35 slate unveiled in India and was touted as the world’s cheapest on its category? Well, it’ now official and the tablet is called Aakash.

And as we initially learned, this tablet is a project of the Indian government to address the need of a low-cost tablet computer for students. It turned out though that Aakash won’t retail as expected, ‘coz the official price at launch jumped to Rs 2,999 or $61. Nonetheless, it’s still competitive to take a share from other brands like the Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab.



The Aakash tablet is designed and manufactured by a Canadian firm, DataWind, Ltd.; and it carries entry level specs like 366MHz Connexant CPU, a dedicated GPU, 256MB of RAM, 2GB internal storage (expandable up to 32GB), with 2 USB ports, Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11 a/b/g), GPRS, and flaunts a 7-inch resistive display at 800 x 480 resolution. It runs the Froyo version of Google’s Android OS, and got a 2100 mAh power source rated to last just 3 hours or less.



The country actually has similar project, the Rizal tablet; however, unlike Indian government’s effort through Aakash which is to connect educational institutions across the nation – the Philippines’ Rizal slate is truly just designed to commemorate the life and works of the national hero.



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