More low-cost tablets hit the Indian market

Two new entries to India’s current low-cost tablet fest are the Ira, priced at Rs. 4000 ($80) and Ira Thing priced at Rs. 5500 ($110) – launched by Wishtel, a Mumbai based company.

The first model, which has a 7 inch resistive touch-screen, runs on Android 2.2 with an 800 MHz processor made by Taiwan-based Via Technologies. It has 256 MB RAM, 2GB internal memory, USB 2.0, 2800mAH battery that lasts about four hours. It comes along with Wi-Fi connectivity and access to 3G through an external device.

Its pricier cousin has a 7-inch capacitive touch-screen with 512 MB RAM , 4 GB of storage and 2800 mAH battery. It supports WI-Fi/3G internet and HD video as well. Both come with an internet browser, media player, Skype, an ebook reader, as well as apps for Facebook, Twitter and Orkut.

Last year, the Indian government invited entries for the world’s cheapest tablet. The winning entry was the Akaash tablet, available for $47, which received mixed reviews. Since then, the Indian market is being loaded with low cost tablets. SmartPlanet covered the entry of $66 tablet and $100 tablet. The iPad in India is sold for Rs. 28,000 ($547).

These devices are for people who can’t afford high-end devices. The Ira line also claims to be the first tablet to be operational in an array of Indian languages. “By enabling support for Indian languages, we are providing the opportunity for hundreds of millions of Indians to join the tablet revolution that is sweeping the globe today. We also hope to reach out to those brilliant minds in India that are inhibited for the lack of proper resources.,”said Milind Shah, CEO of Wishtel.

Two Indian companies, Zync and Intex Technologies, also launched slightly more expensive tablets. Zync’s seven-inch tablet powered by Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, available, for Rs. 8990($173) run on a 1.2 GHz processor and 3600 mAH battery. Its basic features include WiFi, external 3G connection and 2.0 USB port (read details here). There are a handful of Chinese-made low costs tablets available as well.

Intex is offering an 8 inch tablet for 11,900 ($230) operation on Android 2.3 Gingerbread with 512 MB RAM, internal memory of 8GB expandable to 32GB and 5000 mAh battery (read more here).

PHOTOs-wishtel.com