14 DAY TRIAL // We already know that the cheapest Android tablet available in India, Aakash can be purchased for only Rs 3,500 (70 USD or 50 EUR). However, the slate is heavily subsidized and feature-cut-down, which makes a bit unattractive for Android fans.
WishTel, an Indian start-up that has recently tried to bid on government’s project that allows a company to manufacture the Aakash tablet, announced the upcoming availability of its first two affordable tablets.
Although the company wishes to produce the cheapest tablet in India, it also launched two devices which will heavily compete with the Aakash, Ira and Ira Thing.
Both slates are powered by Google’s Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, and provide access to Google applications and services, such as Google Maps, Gmail and more.
WishTel’s Ira will be available on the market for just Rs 4,000 ($80 or 60 EUR), that’s only Rs 500 more expensive than the Aakash, but the former has more features included.
Unfortunately, Ira comes with a 7-inch resistive touchscreen display, which might lower the tablet’s desirability on the Indian market. According to WishTel, the slate is packed with Internet Explorer (?!), Media Player, Photo viewer, Office, MSN, Skype, IREAD and GAME.
We doubt that the Ira features Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, but it’s possible that the manufacturer made a mistake and wanted to say that the tablet comes with an Internet browser.
Furthermore, WishTel’s Ira tablet comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as support for external 3G data card, including WCDMA, EVDO, TD-SCDMA. The slate is powered by a 2800 Li-Polymer battery, which is rated for up to 5 hours of continuous usage.
The second tablet announced by WishTel, Ira Thing comes with the same features as the Ira, but trades the resistive touchscreen with a much better capacitive touchscreen display. This one will be slightly more expensive at Rs 5,500 (110 USD or 80 EUR).