Lack of Domain Knowledge - Killing Akash

There have been a slew of Media reports reviewing the Akash. The tablet by the Indian Govt. worth Rs. 3000[$60]. As usual our so-called industry experts are doing a hitjob on the tablet. Why? There is no budget to entertain these experts with lunches and banquets.

A review written by so-called leading technology publishing magazine CyberMedia editor Prasanto Roy has worked his head off to show serious concern for our students who will affected since, they dont get iPads, instead. Months before the announcement, every industry expert has been saying, this will be a stupid tablet. Ofcourse, the conflict of interest is quite clear. Akash does not have an advertising budget. The big guns have started promoting their own tablets. Reliance 3G is available at 12K.

Let us go through the review points one at a time.

a) There is history to why the launch was not as great as expected due to false starts - My Point - Please review the tablet , not the pre-launch hype or it's lack of marketing.

b) Praise that it is not an over sized memory box -: Similar to Samsung Galaxy Tab. -: Now, this is high praise.-: How much was it priced? > 20K INR-: This is 3000 bucks.

c) Battery life -: Now, the language says that , i) Used to Out of box power ii) appears to be losing power when switched. Guys, can you clarify? I just wanna know the actual battery life. But, at least you raised some kind of a point.

d) Problems with the screen -: I would've liked you to tell me the problems. Not go over relative demerits of resistive vs capacitative screens.

e) Lower specs -:

i)Memory is 256 MB -: Fine, it is not 1 GB -: Dude, who is the audience? Get your domain right. This is for students, built for specific requirements. Why do you expect it to be an iPad?

ii)Next point -: processor -: Any average systems guy worth his salt will tell you this. It is not the processor but the RAM which makes the difference in system performance. But, then , you're a reviewer , not a techie.

f) wi-fi -: So, they do have wifi. Can we agree that, technical support for access to Internet is guaranteed?

Alternatively, if Internet is not available in Dantewada(courtesy Naxals), will iPad2 work there?

g) 2 USB sockets -: You mention it's greater than normal tablets -: But, you say, what is the use? Dude, you complained abt HDD some time back. Are you aware that a Pen drive can easily add 8 GB? Dude this called innovation. Cut corners and provide scope for upgrade. Your problems with it being unweildy. We are supposed to removed USB sticks after use. Of course, iPads have spoiled you.

f) Apps & Courseware -: You have pointed out both of these are limited. Your point is respected. But, why do you think, this is the end of the road for the Akash development team. It's like saying, this article is your tour de force. You wont write anything again. I do agree in principle, that access to android app store should've been available.

Let us say it as it is -: The Tablet Akash is an extraordinary effort in terms of both business innovation(pricinng + sourcing) with technical innovation(Features) . Of course, if you want semantic recognition(SIRI), mebbe Indian Govt. should've spend a few million dollars in buying this technology. That is available with iPhone4S now.

Lastly, all our dear reviewers, Please dont compare this tablet with an iPad. This is an initiative for the education sector. A student who studies using this device may become the next Steve Jobs. Please don't kill the baby before it is born(some forms of abortion[sex-selective abortion] is illegal in India), or when it is undergoing infancy[India has very bad IMR]. Please rememeber, there is a market for a 3K tablet, 7K tablet, 12 K tablet and even a 40K tablet.