India’s $35 Android Tablet set to Arrive in Jan 2011 [Updated]

The highly anticipated $35 tablet from India, Sakshat is set to arrive in January 2011, as the government of India has handed over the manufacturing contract to HCL Technologies.

HCL Technologies Ltd is a well known Indian computer services firm and will help manufacture 100,000 low-cost computers under a government project which is aimed to boost the role of technology in education. Last month, when the IT minister, Kapil Sibal ran a hands-on demo, things were clear that the tablet is for real and will definitely see its light sooner than later.

Now that HCL has got the contract, it proves that the government is serious enough to get it on the shelves by January 10th 2011. They have allocated Rs. 30 crore for the project and we can expect 1 million units in the first phase.

Though the tablet is expected to come out in 3 versions – 5 inch, 7 inch and 9 inch, only the 7 inch version will come out in the first phase. It will be packed with 2 GB RAM memory, wi-fi connectivity, camera, USB port and powered by a 2-watt system to suit poor power supply areas. Since it is based upon Android OS, there will be several apps like internet browser, PDF reader, media player and others.

Update: According to some sources, the contract between MHRD and HCL Tech for manufacturing the android tablet is non-factual. HCL is simply laying the infrastructure for the universities that may be up for testing the new device.

[via]LiveMint