Linux-Based Simputer Hits Stores

The low-cost, Linux-based Simputer handheld computer has finally gone on sale in India, Bharat Electronics and PicoPeta Simputers say. The two companies agreed 18 months ago to jointly develop the Simputer under the brand name Amida Simputer. Clarification: The new Simputer is an upgrade of a version released several years ago.

The Simputer, which is short for Simple Inexpensive Multi-lingual comPUTER, aims to make computing technology and Internet access available to Indians on lower incomes. One version of the product will be available for $227, the companies say.

Users can write or doodle on the screen in any language and then e-mail the handwritten or drawn message. To connect to the Internet, they need either an external landline modem or CDMA mobile phone from Indian telecommunications company Reliance Infocomm and must use one of two USB ports provided in the device, Bharat and PicoPeta say. The Internet browser allows access to any Web site, they say.

Indian language keyboards are also included, in Hindi and Kannada, with more languages under development.

Key Features

A motion sensor allows users to turn the pages of an e-book with a flick of their wrist, zoom in on a picture by moving the computer towards them, or turn the screen to have the display readjust itself to landscape viewing, the companies say.

The Amida Simputer, which looks similar to a PDA, comes in three models. The cheapest, the Amida 1200, has 32MB of RAM, a 206-MHz processor, a limited amount of bundled software, and a touch-sensitive 240 pixel by 320 pixel grayscale screen. It costs $240 plus shipping to buyers outside India.

The Amida 1600 and 4200 both have 64MB of RAM, the same 206-MHz processor, plus an infrared port and built in microphone and speakers.

The Amida 1600, at $300, has a grayscale screen and the same chocolate brown shell as the basic model, while the Amida 4200, at $480, has a black shell and a color screen.