What Happened to Simputer?

An anonymous reader writes "LinuxDevices.com has published a brief update on the much-heralded Simputer, the Linux-based 'platform for social change' that was intended to bring inexpensive, easy-to-use computers to rural Indian villages. In the last 12 months, only about 4,000 units have been sold -- well below the planned 50,000+ units. Three Simputer models priced from $240 to $480 were introduced by PicoPeta one year ago, whereas the original goal was a maximum of $200. A cost-reduced redesign is reportedly in the works."

Comments

Again?

[monkeySauce]

You mean after 11 days this thing has again failed to win over the Indian market?
Maybe they should set slightly more long-term targets.

Quite Surprising really

[l0ungeb0y]

Practically impossible to imagine that the impoverished and illiterate of India wouldn't be lining up in droves to fork over years worth of wages for something as technologically underwhelming as the simputer.

It's a shame really, I nearly cry at the loss of productivity they never realized by using spreadsheets to better manage their goat hearding.

Re:What's the deal?

[Neopoleon]

"India is a net exporter of food. Even if India didn't produce a single grain of food, their stocks would last 3 years."

That doesn't mean a thing.

The French are net exporters of soap, but how many of them actually get a chance to use it?