Re: Indian IT Industry
Posted: 16 Feb 2010 04:30
Adam aims to take bite out of Apple in iPad war
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 027796.ece
It has already brought the world a £1,400 car, now India is set to release an “iPad for the masses” — a new tablet computer that technology experts say could mount a challenge to Apple’s latest gadget.
The new device, called the Adam, has been designed by Notion Ink, a start-up based in the technology hub of Hyderabad. The company was founded by three 24-year-old graduates from India’s elite technical universities who have relied on family and friends for seed funding.
Their debut product has already caused a stir in tech circles, with several industry blogs raving about the Adam's super-energy efficient components and its unique display, which can switch from a colour touch screen to a black and white “e-ink” alternative that can be read in full sunlight.
The CrunchGear website said: “It just might (sway the Apple faithful away) with the proper support.”
Another industry blog added: “Apple may have widespread interest with its iPad, but the Notion Ink Adam has geek juices flowing.”
Notion Ink admits it has its work cut out in competing against the might of Apple’s marketing machine, perhaps the most formidable in the corporate world. It is optimistic, however, that the Adam could make India, now famous for its IT services sector, a player in consumer electronics.
Sachin Ralhan, one of the company’s co-founders, said: “Adam and iPad are based on completely different technologies and are marketed differently. Apple being a strong brand comes at a price premium while we wish to cater to the masses.”
He added: “We see a potential simultaneous India-US launch at the end of June.”
The Adam, which has been designed in India but will be built in Taiwan, is expected to cost about $325. In the US, the iPad starts at $499.
The Indian gadget will be powered by Google’s Android software platform. A competition with a $1million prize is being planned for developers to build applications to run on it.
Notion Ink is claiming the Adam will have “days” of battery life in its e-ink mode — compared with 10 hours standard battery life for the iPad. The Adam will play music for 25 days, give 16 hours internet browsing and will play high definition video for 8 hours, Mr Ralhan said.
It will also support Flash — the video standard most widely on the web — which the iPad does not.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/b ... 027796.ece
It has already brought the world a £1,400 car, now India is set to release an “iPad for the masses” — a new tablet computer that technology experts say could mount a challenge to Apple’s latest gadget.
The new device, called the Adam, has been designed by Notion Ink, a start-up based in the technology hub of Hyderabad. The company was founded by three 24-year-old graduates from India’s elite technical universities who have relied on family and friends for seed funding.
Their debut product has already caused a stir in tech circles, with several industry blogs raving about the Adam's super-energy efficient components and its unique display, which can switch from a colour touch screen to a black and white “e-ink” alternative that can be read in full sunlight.
The CrunchGear website said: “It just might (sway the Apple faithful away) with the proper support.”
Another industry blog added: “Apple may have widespread interest with its iPad, but the Notion Ink Adam has geek juices flowing.”
Notion Ink admits it has its work cut out in competing against the might of Apple’s marketing machine, perhaps the most formidable in the corporate world. It is optimistic, however, that the Adam could make India, now famous for its IT services sector, a player in consumer electronics.
Sachin Ralhan, one of the company’s co-founders, said: “Adam and iPad are based on completely different technologies and are marketed differently. Apple being a strong brand comes at a price premium while we wish to cater to the masses.”
He added: “We see a potential simultaneous India-US launch at the end of June.”
The Adam, which has been designed in India but will be built in Taiwan, is expected to cost about $325. In the US, the iPad starts at $499.
The Indian gadget will be powered by Google’s Android software platform. A competition with a $1million prize is being planned for developers to build applications to run on it.
Notion Ink is claiming the Adam will have “days” of battery life in its e-ink mode — compared with 10 hours standard battery life for the iPad. The Adam will play music for 25 days, give 16 hours internet browsing and will play high definition video for 8 hours, Mr Ralhan said.
It will also support Flash — the video standard most widely on the web — which the iPad does not.