After Govt's $35 tablet, Indian startup unveils $50 tablet

Allgo Embedded Systems, a Bangalore-based R&D company, has designed a prototype tablet PC that is likely to cost about $50 or about Rs. 2,250. The creators claim that with large scale production and low cost manufacturing, the costs can be cut to $40, reports the express buzz.

Allgo Embedded Systems, a five-year-old startup has been working on the project codenamed 'Stamp' for about a year-and-a-half, said its founder K. Srinivasan. "We have developed the prototype for which the material costs are $35 and are currently in talks with manufacturers," he said. "If we make 10,000 units, it will cost about $50. If we make a lakh units, it can be priced around $45 and costs can be as low as $ 40 if a million units are manufactured," he added suggesting that the manufacturing will have to take place in China if the prices are to be kept low.

The company's $ 35 tablet reference design was showcased at the Freescale Technology Forum in Orlando last month. The seven-inch touch-screen tablet can be used to browse the internet, run basic applications, play audio and videos and has wireless capabilities.

According to Srinivasan, it could also find niche applications like home control panels, where display is important. The company has demonstrated the product to the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), which recently unveiled the prototype of a touch screen access-cum computing device, costing $ 35, aimed at students.

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/After_Govts_35_tablet_Indian_startup_unveils_50_tablet-nid-70845-cid-1.html