simputer.org · Domains · Slashdot Mirror

The Simputer GPL by vikku · 2008-02-11 03:07 · Score: 1 · on Best Open Source License For Hardware?

The Simputer General Public License is an excellent license which allows for a good balance of commercial interests and free spirit. It allows for a short window (lag) to commit back changes in hardware. Suggest you take a look and make a modification as needed.

Re:Third computer offered by India by gwayne · 2006-12-06 04:08 · Score: 2, Informative · on Intel to Make Cheap Flash Laptop

Simputer comes to mind...

Now all i need is a pc by falconwolf · 2005-05-28 13:27 · Score: 1 · on Indian Government Keen on Open Source

Simputer

New ! PicoPeta Simputers Pvt Ltd unveils Amida Simputer for the retail market

The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man.

It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer.

The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio.

The Simputer meets these demands through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML). IML has been created to provide a uniform experience to users and to allow rapid development of solutions on any platform.

Falcon

That really is... by Anonymous Coward · 2005-04-29 12:45 · Score: 0 · on Thin Client With OSS for Developing Nations

...a novel concept.

Re:$100? by mlk · 2005-04-14 15:34 · Score: 1 · on What Happened to Simputer?

Phone them?

Re^2: A plan and a profit, put to good use... by D4C5CE · 2005-01-30 15:28 · Score: 1 · on The Hundred-Buck PC

An excellent idea, the more you mass produce them, the cheaper each one is to make. And while they're at it, make all the hardware open source as well and extremely hackable and upgradeable. Let it spawn a huge aftermarket add-on industry, as the original IBM PC did.

With the added benefit of the inevitable "immense popularity in the West as well" making it easier to convince developing countries that they are not getting "dumbed-down second best" equipment, and to let their software enrich the entire open source "noosphere" as well.

Of course, initiatives such as the Simputer should be part of the equation, to peacefully and beneficially co-exist with this larger "$100 PC"... much like the iPod and the Mac (or the PC and the Palmtop) can do today - and this device could truly become a kind of "Mac mini for the masses"...

As I said before, when the Solar PC was discussed on /., ThinkGeek would be an ideal initial outlet to generate "a Slashdot effect in development funding".

Offering it in every corner of the world at the same time (albeit with a slightly higher price in well-off parts of the world) would also help fight the risk of certain governments reselling the "aid hardware" back to users in developed countries, instead of giving it to their own peoples.

This idea is getting popular by Nooface · 2005-01-30 12:34 · Score: 3, Interesting · on The Hundred-Buck PC

This effort joing some other projects targeting cheap PCs at users in developing countries. For example, the PCtvt was recently proposed by Raj Reddy at CMU (an academic rivalry?).

But both efforts are predated by the Simputer, a low cost device that was designed to be shared by Indian villagers. Each user stores their data on a Smart Card, which is plugged into a single Simputer as it is shared by various members of the community.

Simputer by karvind · 2005-01-30 12:23 · Score: 1 · on The Hundred-Buck PC

India already made a cheap Simputer which is more like a powerful PDA for only $20.

Re:More Info by maniac_inside · 2005-01-27 09:54 · Score: 3, Interesting · on Bridging India's Digital Divide With Linux

It's all OK, but do you know that
a) The website simputer.org was last updated in 2001.
b) That it fails to satisfy the goal of providing computing to common man in India. Where by common man I refer to the 650 million+ population who live below poverty line.
c) That being an Indian, I have never heard anyone talking about it. Except the press which carried an article about 3 years back when simputer was not even launced.

More Info by tanveer1979 · 2005-01-27 06:05 · Score: 4, Informative · on Bridging India's Digital Divide With Linux

Since you want more info, here it is. And it is not your gps+mobile. I have played around with the device and it is actually a very very capable handheld. A friend of mine did the body design, the the specs were simple. We intend it to be used in vilages, so it should be immune to drops from about 4 feet and also immune from dust and little rainfall exposure :)

Re:My grandparents are dead by 0x461FAB0BD7D2 · 2005-01-12 16:57 · Score: 1 · on simPC - Your Grandparents' New Computer?

I think you mean the simputer.

Simputer .. by sunsrin · 2005-01-06 08:48 · Score: 1 · on India's Cops Meet Technology

Some of them have started using the Simputer. The relavent news starts from the Managing Traffic paragraph in the article

Open firmware over open hardware.... by Gopal.V · 2004-12-15 03:09 · Score: 3, Interesting · on Neuros Audio Releases Its Hardware Schematics

So far all the hardware players had that "Ipod Killer" tag, which isn't the TFA :).

Open firmware is cool - but hardware schematics are more iffy. All in all, I'd put open firmware over hardware schemas any day :)

Have you seen Simputer General Public License which Simputer uses for their hardware ?. I suppose Neuros has some kind of licensing model at least for defining copyright and that kind of stuff. This is kinda blind faith to re-use or work on.

More high tech in rural India by isny · 2004-09-08 15:34 · Score: 1 · on Solar Powered Computers Planned for Rural India

Well, at least they'll have something to plug their simputers into.

not much by Punto · 2004-09-01 15:57 · Score: 1 · on Palmtop Nirvana?

Here's my list:

color display

sound

a USB host port

linux (or some other open environment where I can write my own drivers/apps for any external USB device I want to attach)

cheap :) (~$200 is cool)

They can keep all the other non-standard connectors/ports. There's no point in having a 200+mhz computer and depend on some company to build whatever the device I want that uses whatever propietary connector the PDA has.

Alas, the only options I've seen that come close to this are from indian companies, not yet available, and come attached with some weird marketing filosophy: the Simputer and the 'Smart Handheld', wich seems to be only blueprints.

Need more than 5 users... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-07-20 14:42 · Score: 2, Insightful · on Gnome 2.6 Usability Review

Too many of the users were familiar with Microsoft software. Are they testing usability or similarity to their previous experience. If they are testing similarity then by having most users familiar with Microsoft, they will get a pre-ordained answer -- the more it looks like Microsoft the better.

Also, how about Chinese user, Hebrew user, Arabic user, to test language differences in the interface. How about blind user, disabled user? Even illiterate user? I am not joking. Check out the Simputer.

Simputer General Public License by nafrikhi · 2004-03-28 08:05 · Score: 1 · on Simputer Available?

the license is still like that. see the license for what they call "Simputer General Public License (SGPL)".

here is the relevant clause:

Any commercial exploitation of the Specifications (whether Simputer or Simputerized) involves a nominal one time payment to the Trust. The payment will be $25,000 for developing countries and $250,000 for developed countries.

the rationale emphasizes that GPL and SGPL are similar in spirit.

Simputer General Public License by nafrikhi · 2004-03-28 08:05 · Score: 1 · on Simputer Available?

the license is still like that. see the license for what they call "Simputer General Public License (SGPL)".

here is the relevant clause:

Any commercial exploitation of the Specifications (whether Simputer or Simputerized) involves a nominal one time payment to the Trust. The payment will be $25,000 for developing countries and $250,000 for developed countries.

the rationale emphasizes that GPL and SGPL are similar in spirit.

Re:does it run linux?? by InfiniteWisdom · 2004-03-27 08:19 · Score: 2, Informative · on Simputer Available?

Yes

simputer.com site is now working again by amigoro · 2004-03-27 07:31 · Score: 1 · on Simputer Available?

Simputer.com is now back up. No need for the google cache.

Simputer - Hardware device license by Valluvan · 2004-02-14 04:22 · Score: 3, Informative · on Open Source Spreads Beyond Software

Another instance of opensource-like license . The Simputer General Public License

Highlights of SGPL

* Any individual or company can download the hardware specification, PCB layout details, the bill of materials, etc., henceforth called "Specifications" free of charge. The act of doing so binds the individual or company to the SGPL.

* Any derivative work has to come back to the Trust to allow for further dissemination. To allow the commercial exploitation of the derived work, a one year delay in putting back the derived work is permitted. This does not however preclude others from independently engineering a similar derivative work during this period.

* Any derivative work is subsumed as Specifications and hence, they are also governed by this same license.

* The word "Simputer(TM)" is trademarked and cannot be used without the permission of the Trust. If an individual or company is interested in using the word "Simputer(TM)" in conjunction with their products, they can do so only if their product conforms to certain rules that will be put up on the trust website (and which may undergo periodic revision). The product has to provide a visual clue to attest it being a Simputer by way of displaying a logo issued by the Trust.

* While recognizing the possibility of using the Specifications in application other than as a Simputer, the License deems that such derived work be called "Simputerized" products. The product description should state that the product is "Simputerized" and provide a visual clue on the product by way of displaying a logo issued by the Trust.

* Any commercial exploitation of the Specifications (whether Simputer or Simputerized) involves a nominal one time payment to the Trust. The payment will be $25,000 for developing countries and $250,000 for developed countries.

Intention and Commercialism by Unfallen · 2003-09-17 01:42 · Score: 2, Insightful · on State Of The Simputer

Views subject to media-frenzied hype and/or misunderstanding, as pointed out in the article, but nevertheless...

"We are fairly clear that commercial success has to go with our development goals,"

I seem to remember, when the Simputer first hit the backpages of IT newspaper supplements, that the point of the simputer was to provide a set of designs that could be produced cheaply, the idea being that this production would then be available to anyone with the right resources/motivation, rather than just those who wanted to sell it for profit to geeky businessmen. When I signed onto the Simputer mailing list, there was a lot of talk about this, and the method in which a charge would only be entailed for mass-producers - everybody else, wanting to produce less than a certain number of units, was free to take the designs (and the software, IIRC) and use them.

Casting an eye over the Simputer site reveals an interesting addition - the SGPL, or Simputer General Public License. There are then TWO separate licenses (the SDML and the, uh, SDML to manufacture it. Alas, I have no time at the moment to work out precisely what the differences are, though judging by the title ("Simputer" versus "Simputerised"), this is something to do with which components you intend to use.

Nevertheless, it would seem that the original intention to roll out a technology for the common good has slipped a little, though the reasons for this I can only speculate on, and would be wrong to do so... Alas, I think that the most practical way to achieve the original goals, to promote the use of communication technologies (as this is the essential bit) in the same way that radio technology spread, is to make it truly owned by nobody, veritably public domain. To achieve it alongside commercial interests means something usually has to give on one side or the other.

On a different note, perhaps the EU could gleam some advice on patents from the SGPL too...

Intention and Commercialism by Unfallen · 2003-09-17 01:42 · Score: 2, Insightful · on State Of The Simputer

Views subject to media-frenzied hype and/or misunderstanding, as pointed out in the article, but nevertheless...

"We are fairly clear that commercial success has to go with our development goals,"

I seem to remember, when the Simputer first hit the backpages of IT newspaper supplements, that the point of the simputer was to provide a set of designs that could be produced cheaply, the idea being that this production would then be available to anyone with the right resources/motivation, rather than just those who wanted to sell it for profit to geeky businessmen. When I signed onto the Simputer mailing list, there was a lot of talk about this, and the method in which a charge would only be entailed for mass-producers - everybody else, wanting to produce less than a certain number of units, was free to take the designs (and the software, IIRC) and use them.

Casting an eye over the Simputer site reveals an interesting addition - the SGPL, or Simputer General Public License. There are then TWO separate licenses (the SDML and the, uh, SDML to manufacture it. Alas, I have no time at the moment to work out precisely what the differences are, though judging by the title ("Simputer" versus "Simputerised"), this is something to do with which components you intend to use.

Nevertheless, it would seem that the original intention to roll out a technology for the common good has slipped a little, though the reasons for this I can only speculate on, and would be wrong to do so... Alas, I think that the most practical way to achieve the original goals, to promote the use of communication technologies (as this is the essential bit) in the same way that radio technology spread, is to make it truly owned by nobody, veritably public domain. To achieve it alongside commercial interests means something usually has to give on one side or the other.

On a different note, perhaps the EU could gleam some advice on patents from the SGPL too...

Intention and Commercialism by Unfallen · 2003-09-17 01:42 · Score: 2, Insightful · on State Of The Simputer

Views subject to media-frenzied hype and/or misunderstanding, as pointed out in the article, but nevertheless...

"We are fairly clear that commercial success has to go with our development goals,"

I seem to remember, when the Simputer first hit the backpages of IT newspaper supplements, that the point of the simputer was to provide a set of designs that could be produced cheaply, the idea being that this production would then be available to anyone with the right resources/motivation, rather than just those who wanted to sell it for profit to geeky businessmen. When I signed onto the Simputer mailing list, there was a lot of talk about this, and the method in which a charge would only be entailed for mass-producers - everybody else, wanting to produce less than a certain number of units, was free to take the designs (and the software, IIRC) and use them.

Casting an eye over the Simputer site reveals an interesting addition - the SGPL, or Simputer General Public License. There are then TWO separate licenses (the SDML and the, uh, SDML to manufacture it. Alas, I have no time at the moment to work out precisely what the differences are, though judging by the title ("Simputer" versus "Simputerised"), this is something to do with which components you intend to use.

Nevertheless, it would seem that the original intention to roll out a technology for the common good has slipped a little, though the reasons for this I can only speculate on, and would be wrong to do so... Alas, I think that the most practical way to achieve the original goals, to promote the use of communication technologies (as this is the essential bit) in the same way that radio technology spread, is to make it truly owned by nobody, veritably public domain. To achieve it alongside commercial interests means something usually has to give on one side or the other.

On a different note, perhaps the EU could gleam some advice on patents from the SGPL too...

Intention and Commercialism by Unfallen · 2003-09-17 01:42 · Score: 2, Insightful · on State Of The Simputer

Views subject to media-frenzied hype and/or misunderstanding, as pointed out in the article, but nevertheless...

"We are fairly clear that commercial success has to go with our development goals,"

I seem to remember, when the Simputer first hit the backpages of IT newspaper supplements, that the point of the simputer was to provide a set of designs that could be produced cheaply, the idea being that this production would then be available to anyone with the right resources/motivation, rather than just those who wanted to sell it for profit to geeky businessmen. When I signed onto the Simputer mailing list, there was a lot of talk about this, and the method in which a charge would only be entailed for mass-producers - everybody else, wanting to produce less than a certain number of units, was free to take the designs (and the software, IIRC) and use them.

Casting an eye over the Simputer site reveals an interesting addition - the SGPL, or Simputer General Public License. There are then TWO separate licenses (the SDML and the, uh, SDML to manufacture it. Alas, I have no time at the moment to work out precisely what the differences are, though judging by the title ("Simputer" versus "Simputerised"), this is something to do with which components you intend to use.

Nevertheless, it would seem that the original intention to roll out a technology for the common good has slipped a little, though the reasons for this I can only speculate on, and would be wrong to do so... Alas, I think that the most practical way to achieve the original goals, to promote the use of communication technologies (as this is the essential bit) in the same way that radio technology spread, is to make it truly owned by nobody, veritably public domain. To achieve it alongside commercial interests means something usually has to give on one side or the other.

On a different note, perhaps the EU could gleam some advice on patents from the SGPL too...

Re:What about nearly-free hardware to match? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-07-15 15:55 · Score: 0 · on Linux Comes To Afghanistan

Have you heard of the Simputer?

Also, Linux 2.6 will support CPUs that have no memory-management unit (MMU). Since these CPUs are cheaper, maybe someone will create a very cheap handheld based on Linux 2.6

Some more info, in case you don't speak Japanese;) by D4C5CE · 2003-05-18 06:19 · Score: 2, Informative · on New Sharp Zaurus SL-C760/C750 Linux PDAs

... because Sharp actually did issue the news in a language more comprehensible to this audience either:
Linux "clamshell" PDAs with an Intel Xscale PXA255@400MHz, 64 megs of RAM and up to 128 megs of built-in flash are only some of the mouth-watering specs for the new SL-C760 and C750, just released in English to make geeks world-wide wish they were in Japan - the only place, again, for which Sharp has announced to market the new models. The predecessor, widely acclaimed for its excellent "Continuous Grain Silicon" VGA LCD, has been made available by third parties in the USA, Germany, and directly from Japan, but if you're looking to replace e.g. your aging Psion with the latest and greatest Linux PDA from a local vendor, you may want to get Sharp to change their mind and make it available world-wide this time.
In other news, in India the Simputer is expected to be shipping below US$200 (10000 rupies) soon.
Wouldn't both of these be rather compelling items for ThinkGeek to carry as well (just in case the current vendors get overwhelmed by Slashdotters buying up the equivalent of a monthly production - BTW, what's the discount at 30000 units) ?

Re:Releasing open source is a great idea by aat · 2002-11-19 17:55 · Score: 2 · on Scientific American Reviews 'Simputer' PDA

The Simputer is actually designed by a trust, the Simputer Trust, which leased out the design to companies who might be interested in manufacturing it. Their motivation in having liberal license policies is to promote hardware development, allowing Simputer users to benefit.

Technically, this is neither Open Source according to the Open Source Initiative's definition, , which says: "The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.", and companies producing designs have to pay a licensing fee of $25,000 if they're from developing nations or $250,000 if they're from richer nations.

It also isn't Free, according to the Free Software Foundation's
definition, for the same reason.

However, given the differences between hardware and software development (and manufacture), it's very reasonable and not surprising that a free hardware license won't count as free/open source software, and is definitely in the same spirit as the open source movement, and inspired by the free software movement as well.

Related Links:

SGPL vs GPL
Simputer Licensing terms

Re:Releasing open source is a great idea by aat · 2002-11-19 17:55 · Score: 2 · on Scientific American Reviews 'Simputer' PDA

The Simputer is actually designed by a trust, the Simputer Trust, which leased out the design to companies who might be interested in manufacturing it. Their motivation in having liberal license policies is to promote hardware development, allowing Simputer users to benefit.

Technically, this is neither Open Source according to the Open Source Initiative's definition, , which says: "The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.", and companies producing designs have to pay a licensing fee of $25,000 if they're from developing nations or $250,000 if they're from richer nations.

It also isn't Free, according to the Free Software Foundation's
definition, for the same reason.

However, given the differences between hardware and software development (and manufacture), it's very reasonable and not surprising that a free hardware license won't count as free/open source software, and is definitely in the same spirit as the open source movement, and inspired by the free software movement as well.

Related Links:

SGPL vs GPL
Simputer Licensing terms

Re:Releasing open source is a great idea by aat · 2002-11-19 17:55 · Score: 2 · on Scientific American Reviews 'Simputer' PDA

The Simputer is actually designed by a trust, the Simputer Trust, which leased out the design to companies who might be interested in manufacturing it. Their motivation in having liberal license policies is to promote hardware development, allowing Simputer users to benefit.

Technically, this is neither Open Source according to the Open Source Initiative's definition, , which says: "The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.", and companies producing designs have to pay a licensing fee of $25,000 if they're from developing nations or $250,000 if they're from richer nations.

It also isn't Free, according to the Free Software Foundation's
definition, for the same reason.

However, given the differences between hardware and software development (and manufacture), it's very reasonable and not surprising that a free hardware license won't count as free/open source software, and is definitely in the same spirit as the open source movement, and inspired by the free software movement as well.

Related Links:

SGPL vs GPL
Simputer Licensing terms

A misguided effort by vocaro · 2002-11-19 17:46 · Score: 1 · on Scientific American Reviews 'Simputer' PDA

Specs for the Simputer:

200 MHz CPU
32 MB RAM
24 MB storage
240x320 color display
Price: $300

Specs for Microtel PC with 15-inch monitor:

800 MHz CPU
128 MB RAM
10 GB storage
1024x768 color display
Price: $320

The specs of the Microtel PC are so much better, and the price so similar, that I wonder whether a desktop form factor would have been a better design choice. Obviously, the Microtel PC is not portable, but according to the article the computer would be used to "access the Internet, perform transactions, keep track of agricultural prices, and educate children". I don't think portability is a must for those functions.

The only real advantage that the Simputer provides is a built-in text-to-speech feature, but this could be added to the Microtel for free.

I'm not saying that aid agencies should be buying PCs from Wal-Mart and shipping them off to developing countries, but I do think the developers of the Simputer should have put their efforts into producing a similar desktop computer for the villages of, for example, sub-Saharan Africa. The smallest of these villages have no electricity, but many often do, as I learned from my recent experience in the Peace Corps. Thus the benefit of the Simputer's rechargeable batteries isn't really a huge advantage. And if, as the article claims, these villagers want to access the Internet, they're going to need a source of electricity for that anyway.

Even if the Simputer had hardware just as powerful as a desktop PC, there is still the problem of software. Most software today simply cannot run on a 240x320 display. All of these educational and business-transaction programs that the article talked about would have to be redesigned especially for the Simputer. On the other hand, a desktop computer with a full-size monitor opens up the entire world of existing applications. Also, by learning how to use standard desktop computers (and standard software like word processors and spreadsheets), the user is doing more than just calculating the price of his crop. He's picking up an additional skill - computer literacy - that can be applied elsewhere. That's something I tried to accomplish during my Peace Corps service.

But then, that's the real problem, isn't it? Not computer literacy but basic literacy. Providing a Simputer to developing countries is treating the symptoms of the disease, not the cause. These folks need jobs, skills, and education, not processing power. In the village where I worked as a Peace Corps volunteer, the average teacher's salary was around $75 per month. For the price of one Simputer, a village could hire someone to teach reading skills to an entire class for four months.

The Simputer may be a good idea for a few select cases, but overall I think it's a misguided effort.

Trevor

Free Hardware Foundation by D4C5CE · 2002-11-01 00:14 · Score: 1 · on Big Brother Lifetime Award Goes To Microsoft

There it is. "Open Source Hardware" by the "Bangalore Seven" Simputer Trust.

Free Hardware Foundation by D4C5CE · 2002-11-01 00:14 · Score: 1 · on Big Brother Lifetime Award Goes To Microsoft

There it is. "Open Source Hardware" by the "Bangalore Seven" Simputer Trust.

Help Simputer ( Low budget development) !!! by Anonymous Coward · 2002-10-27 01:41 · Score: 0 · on India Officially Launches Simputer

Talk about low budget development !!! Here is the text from their website :

You can Help
There are several ways by which individuals and organizations can help the Simputer project.

Financial: The Simputer has been unique in that it has been unfettered by any commitments given to any funding agency, simply because there hasn't been any funding agency . The flexibility and academic freedom offered by the Indian Institute of Science, the visionary and bold attitude of the Board of Encore Software Ltd., the time of the seven trustees and creative use of available resources are all factors in bringing the Simputer project to this stage. The entire IPR of the Simputer project has been vested with the Simputer Trust by the two institutions concerned: Encore Software and Indian Institute of Science.
It will certainly be a surprise for most to learn that as of today (May 7th, 2001) the Simputer Trust does not have a bank account! (we are in the process of creating one). Obviously, this state of affairs cannot continue for too long. The Trust plans to raise resources to further the Simputer project by the following means:

license fees for Simputerised and Simputer manufacturing licenses
Grants, donations, and gifts from diverse organizations and individuals

Immediate requirements for funding: To take the Simputer to the next step, the Trust needs to build about 100 Simputers and make them available for field trials in areas where the Simputer can have an impact. We estimate that at these very low volumes, the cost per Simputer -- including application development -- to be about US $500. We are now looking towards individuals such as yourself to contribute to the proliferation of Simputers.
If you wish to contribute financially to the Simputer project, please get in touch with us for payment details.
Development: There has been a huge number of mails expressing interest in contributing to the growing Simputer effort. We have setup a mailing list for Simputer Development related efforts.
Join the Simputer Yahoo Group
at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/simputer/

If you wanna buy one... by notb4dinner · 2002-10-26 22:35 · Score: 3, Informative · on India Officially Launches Simputer

... one of the licensees listed on simputer.org is supposededly making some evaluation versions avaliable soon. See here.

Re:Average montly salaries by Albanach · 2002-10-26 21:58 · Score: 5, Insightful · on India Officially Launches Simputer

By reading the FAQ you would learn that the simputer has been designed for sharing by communities. THe examples they give are schools and community centres which are already established as places where shared resources are available to comunities.

The simputer is equipped with a smart card reader which is intended to provide personalisation to the device. The aim is to reduce the cost of _access_ (that's the important bit, not ownership) to the device to that of owning a smart card, not of owning the device itself.

Think of being able to walk into a local library and borrow a computer for a day instead of a book.

Re:Average montly salaries by kfishy · 2002-10-26 21:30 · Score: 2, Informative · on India Officially Launches Simputer

I suppose the government will have to fund it, at least partially. However, the impact apparently wouldn't be that great, since it is designed to be shared by a community

.

Actually much different from Simputer by billstewart · 2002-10-07 12:57 · Score: 2 · on Indian Linux PDA For $300

I checked out www.simputer.org, which says that the simputer organization has become dormant but has licensed its goodies to Picopeta and Encore, both of whom have vaporous forward-looking statements. While the hardware looks similar, building something in this form factor with StrongArm is a relatively obvious design pattern, and the interfaces built in are randomly a bit different. Kaii is designed to be a PDA for high-tech folk, while Simputer is targeted toward being a village computer/communications system.

The real important design differences are in software. Simputer FAQ. One of the big focuses of the Simputer was the IML information markup language, which is an XMLish application designed to be really convenient for multilingual applications, which in India means multiple alphabetic systems as well (so there's an input system), people with limited literacy, support smartcard media well, etc., and they've got some multilingual text-to-speech Kaii doesn't seem to have anything like that - their language support is English, with optional European , Arabic, and East Asian language support, and the possibility of developing something for Indian languages, and they're running a bunch of non-Indian-developed application suites. (There is Unicode support, at least.) The Simputer also has a built-in softmodem capability, which makes sense for something targeted toward the village computer market, while the Kaii lets you plug in standard cards, which could be modem, memory, ether, wireless, etc.