"A Simple Inexpensive Mobile Computer or Simputer stands to
bring the IT revolution to rural India."
"Running on three AAA batteries and an Intel chip, the Simputer
will boast a free Linux operating system, 32MB of RAM and 16MB of
Flash memory. At a cost of only $200, this simple device (which
resembles a hefty Palm) may well bring the e-revolution to India
where a scant 2 million PC's are currently distributed between a
poverty stricken populace of nearly 1 billion."
"Given that even $200 is too dear for an average Indian family,
the Simputer's makers are hoping to interest the Indian government
into buying and distributing the machines at the village and
district levels. To facilitate this end, the Simputer sports a
smartcard reader that enables it to be used on a shared basis.
Retailing for between one to two dollars, most villagers, it is
hoped, will be able to afford a smartcard. Villagers can then
hypothetically rent the local Simputer at a minimal hourly charge
and use their smartcards for storing and accessing personal
information."
