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Low-Cost Simputer Fails to Win Indians' Interest

Posted by timothy on from the when-curves-meet-unexpectedly dept.

prostoalex writes "The Associated Press looks at the Indian low-cost Simputer project and registers it as a failure. Picopeta sold 2,000 units over the past year, while Encore Software sold 2,000 Simputers. Only 10% of the devices were bought for rural areas, which the device was originally designed for. The reason? The companies need to sell quite a few simplistic monochrome devices to allow for the low price tag of $200. Meanwhile, anyone can buy a powerful device with a color screen for $199 from a major vendor."

2 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Surprise by bostonsoxfan · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I don't find this as a surprise at all. This was doomed to fail because they didn't really have the full backing of a major company. At least someone is trying to cover the technology gap but it will take more time with lower prices in the semi conductor industry.

    But if it is for rural villages how do they expect to power these units. And what about dust and computer illiteracy, those things would be bigger obstacle than cost in general.

    Move on people nothing funny here.

  2. heh.. by Aeron65432 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is anyone actually surprised? Look how Windows XP Starter kit has been doing!