Zeebiz BureauAakash 2 — the world’s cheapest tablet, also one of the most awaited one since there’s no sign of it in the market yet, could be a Chinese product after all.
According to an exclusive report by Hindustan Times, DataWind founders, Suneet and Raja Singh Tuli, may have gotten hold of the device from manufacturers in China for a mere USD 42 (Rs 2,263), the same price at which it was sold to the Indian government.
The HT report shows that DataWind procured approximately 10,000 of these “A-13” tablets from four manufacturers in Shenzhen and Hong Kong between October 26 and November 7.
Under HRD Ministry guidelines, the tablets were shipped duty free since they were meant for educational purposes, to be provided to students.
DataWind had won the bid to provide 100,000 units to students, an agreement which dictated the company to manufacture the device in India.
The HT documents reveal that DataWind bought these devices from four different manufacturers: Shenzhen Shitong Zhaoli Technology, Dasen International Electronics, Kalong Technology and Trend Grace Ltd.
A source close to the firm claims that DataWind had nothing to do with either the tablet design or its manufacturing.
CEO Suneet Singh Tuli however insists that Aakash 2 is a designed by his company.
First Published: Saturday, November 24, 2012, 18:13