Aakash 3 launch likely in mid-2013: Datawind

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Dispelling rumors that the government would scrap the ambitious ultra-low cost tablet Aakash project, Union Minister of Communications and IT Kapil Sibal has said that the project is very much alive and kicking.

Speaking at the National Editors Conference, Sibal also informed that they are working on Aakash version 3 and 4, and that the device would technically empower students and bridge the digital divide.

He said that the manufacturer of ultra-low cost tablet PC Aakash, Datawind's contract renewal is subject to HRD decision. However, Datawind said Aakash 3 is expected to be launched during mid-2013.

What led to the rumours about the Aakash project was the statement by HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju, who said that production of Aakash is a challenge which is leading to its unavailability.

Meanwhile, clarifying the matters over unavailability of the devices, Datawind has said that it had delivered 17,100 devices to IIT-Bombay while 29,400 devices are in transit through their logistics company and they will be delivered in the next few days.

In a statement, Datawind CEO Suneet Singh Tuli said that they are making efforts to deliver the remaining 30,000 units by March 31."The mother boards including touch screens and all other components are manufactured, and final assembly is being completed," he informed.

The delay, the statement read, was caused by the verification process that customs needed to conduct on the Exemption Certificates for certain components issued by IIT-Bombay. In addition, 23,500 devices are at sub-contract manufacturers, pending shipment.

Over 30,000 units are currently being manufactured at the Delhi Control Devices, Noida (Uttar Pradesh), RishabhInfrarealities Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Digital Circuits, Bangalore (Karnataka) and HS Chawla & Company, Delhi.

"We are currently delivering between 2,500 to 3,000 units per day to our customers commercially and have been recognized among the top 3 tablet manufacturers in India for the last two quarters in a row," Tuli said.