Is this the Cheapest Android Tablet?

[download44]

Just wanted to share this news, seems like using Android's OS makes Tablet production really cheap. How else do you explain this new Tablet, called Aakash costing $60? And thats the non-subsidized price. Subsidized price is $35. That's cheaper than a tank of gas.

Launched today, here are some specs of this new Tab

- Android OS 2.2 Froyo
- 377 MHz processor (what?)
- No Android marketplace access (why?)
- 7" screen
- no camera (meh)
- 2 USB slots, 1 SD reader (alright, not bad!)

I'm a bit skeptical on the need for such a cheap tablet at the cost of downgrading quality and features.
Someone should review this for us (hint)

Original news article with full specs & pics

 

[jerofld]

- 377 MHz processor (what?)

I think that's the frequency my phone operates at when it's asleep.

Oh, and the article said it was designed primarily for educational purposes. Load a bunch of textbooks on the thing and it becomes a very cheap e-reader with some other little bells and whistles. I can understand a really cheap tablet for that.

 

[download44]

Yeah its designed mainly for rural students. But with a 3 hour battery life, you won't even last an entire school-day!

 

[jerofld]

With the resistive touch screen, you wouldn't want to use it for 3 hours straight, anyways.

 

[download44]

With the resistive touch screen, you wouldn't want to use it for 3 hours straight, anyways.

The screen is the most expensive component of the tab at $10. Anything else (capacitive) would drive the price up.

 

[jerofld]

Oh, I know. I thought we were playing tag with 'point out the worst feature'

 

[download44]

haha, too easy in this case.

 

[mikedt]

Yeah its designed mainly for rural students.

...in China.

But with a 3 hour battery life, you won't even last an entire school-day!

This sort of thing is usually sold as an e-book reader and/or educational device. A good battery life would be nice to have though.

 

[download44]

Its meant for people who have never held an iPad or could afford a computer.
It will be pre-loaded with educational content from local universities. Mostly textbooks or video lectures.
Not so much Call of Duty.