Simply put, the Simputer is just sizzling

‘‘Several corporates including VSNL, Reliance and Sify are evaluating the product and are in the process of placing orders. Demand has come from almost all states and more than 25 countries, in the very first week of launch,’’ adds Manohar.

When PicoPeta first announced the Simputer in 2001, it had a tough time convincing the world that India could manufacture its own brand of computer, fill it with the software and functionalities from any other manufacturer and then sell it for less than Rs. 10,000 apiece.

As PicoPeta says, ‘‘Not only was the vision behind the Simputer stunningly ambitious, it was also re-writing every rule associated with traditional computers.’’ The functionalities includes multilingual support, handwriting recognition, free software, pocket-size, patent-freedom, internet compatability and a price tag ranging from Rs. 9,500 to Rs 17,000.

‘‘The Simputer is technology neutral to the end user and useful to a wide cross section. It can be used by a farmer or by you and me,’’ says Prof. Manohar, with a warning that it is a powerful yet simple device, not to be mistaken for a PDA.

But while PicoPeta says it still has marketing issues to sort out for the new global Simputer, Prof. Manohar explains how it has matured over time. ‘‘The Simputer prototype in 2001 taregtted people who did not have access to information technology due to barriers like langauge, cost of ownership, complexity of interfaces etc. This was unfortunately construed to mean rural poor and illiterate. Amida corrects this perception and targets everyone who want to use computing without the complexities of the PC.’’

Post launch, Amida is itching to ship to India and the world. ‘‘Though at the moment we are shipping only to India, we are looking forward to making the Simputer available worldwide starting next week,’’ says the professor.

Though anyone can buy a Simputer license to manufacture one, this is the first one designed in the third world.