Date: 27th July 2010
India's $35 tablet: 35 billion+ US$ revenue
from 1 billion+ sales
India's attempt to design a prototype tablet computer priced
at $35 can also be treated as showing the manufacturing
geniuses in the world a market opportunity of $35 billion
by selling $35 worth tablet computer to every rural/poor
individual on the earth who can't offer costly tablet computers
and gadgets, there is large chunk of this population in
India itself. This gadget is of some use for every type
of person whether old or young, literate or illiterate,
because there is audio/video support in this tablet even
illiterates can learn with simple user interface to watch
and listen to media files. For the cash-rich world they
may call it a disposable tablet computer. We can't call
this as laptop but has most of the features typically available
in netbook/notebook computer but without the windows software.
Business challenges in achieving this goal: This type of
project will face hurdles as big as Tsunami waves. The major
challenges include:
Handling the OEM software and hardware competitors who
would like to finish-off this kind of project.
Getting the design right at first time with no serious bugs
and glitches.
Releasing the advanced version at same price before any
competitor attempting. Show only tip of the iceberg (your
innovation) and slowly bring the next one.
Maintaining the security inside this system safe enough
to keep the hackers miles away.
Managing distribution and logistic headaches.
Ensuring the proper recycling of scrapped tablets and also
blocking it from using for un-lawful purposes.
However big are these challenges the market and industry
is now mature enough to commoditize handheld digital gadgets.
Key factors enabled/enabling the possibility of low cost
tablet computers are (in fact these need to be renamed because
they are not just computing device they also communicate
and entertain the user).
Moore's law: The number of tiny transistors inside a semiconductor
chip are getting doubled once in 2/3 years resulting proportional
fall in cost of end-equipments mainly made out of semiconductor
chips. This started in the late 1970s and still has life
of another 4 to 5 years. This is a major contributor in
enabling affordability of computers and smart phones.
China factor: The ability of Chinese manufacturing industry
to produce components as well as systems at a price where
no region can compete.
Open source software: Availability of free open source
software packages such as Linux and Android has also helped
a lot in bringing down the cost of devices
Internet/web: No media is as powerful and free as Internet
in bridging the suppliers and market at a cost far less
than traditional media and networks.
India's abundant software programmers and design engineers:
The large amount of quality and less costing software programmers
and engineers in India is also a key factor.
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