The next model of low-cost tablet under Aakash project will possess calling facility and high speed 4G services support, as per specifications released by government.
The specifications released by government suggest it will have "Driver for Phone Functionality with external dongle" and support "Data functionality with external 2G or 3G or 4G dongle".
The Aakash project was Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's brainchild when he was the HRD Minister. The idea is to provide low-cost computing device at subsidised rate to students so that they can access Internet for educational purposes.
The first version of the tablet was launched on October 5, 2011. The tablet PC then launched had basic feature and costed government around Rs. 2,276. Government later upgraded the tablet with some advance features at the same price.
The latest version will have multiple new features but the the final price of the tablet has not been disclosed.
The new version of the tablet will have Bluetooth in-built which was missing in the previous versions. Other specifications included in the document posted
online include minimum 1GB RAM, 4GB internal storage (expandable up to 32GB), 7-inch 800x480 display, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
The document says the Aakash IV tablet should be able to minimum 3 hours of 720p video on a single charge and the battery should be able to hold at least 90 percent of its charge after 30 days of standby time (tablet is turned off).
Software wise, the document mentions the tablet should come with Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) or above, and should be able to dual-boot Linux stored on an external card.
With inputs from PTI