OEMs look to integrate PCtvt

BANGALORE: PC makers, both Indian and global, are competing fiercely to deliver an affordable computer that can cut through the digital divide.

In this action-packed segment, an academic initiative centered on the PCtvt a device that is computer, TV, video and IP phone and videophone — all rolled into one. Designed for the rural masses this academic initiative is vying to make this a reality soon.

A collaborative initiative between three world-class institutions, Carnagie Mellon University, Indian Institue of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, the PCtvt (PC, TV, video and telephone) has crossed successful pilots in Andhra Pradesh.

Now, companies like HCL Technologies and Korean company Sagem are testing to see if the PCtvt design could be integrated with their hardware.

“Based on the feedback from the pilots, we are trying to perfect the design and interface,” informed Prof N Balakrishnan, Supercomputer Education and Research Center, IISc.

“We have used open software to develop our own applications like language software and VoIP. Others can also port their applications onto this,” he added.

Why blend television and video with a computer? Balakrishnan reasons that the device has to reach all sections of people. “ People who are less educated need more bandwidth than educated people. Instead of email, he would need voice mail. Entertainment is also a key driver in India.” So the device is a mix of both synchronous (text chat) and asynchronous (multi-lingual e-mail) communication modes.”

He thinks that ease of use and comfort, as factors that would make the device more accessible. “The device has video mail and we plan to introduce a speech interface.”

The project is the brainchild of robotics expert Dr Raj Reddy of Carnagie Mellon University, who is the 2005 recipient of the Honda award for his efforts to bring technology to the masses.