Next version of Akash to offer features similar to Google Nexus 7

The next version of the world's cheapest computer tablet would boast features similar to Google Nexus 7, but could come with a heftier price tag than the current price of Rs2,263.

The specifications of the third generation of Aakash (or Aakash 4) were released by the department of electronics and information technology (DeitY) yesterday. According to HRD ministry officials, it would be priced at roughly Rs3,000.

In a departure from past practice, the tender for Aakash 4 would carry minimum specifications that the computer tablet would be expected to meet. The bid winner / manufacturer would have the liberty to add more advanced features to the tablet.

Aakash 4 would certainly come as an improvement over Aaksh 2 as the specifications suggest and in terms of CPU performance, Aaksh 4 would have a minimum of 3537 Antutu Benchmark score, compared to 3679 for the Google Nexus 7.

The Antutu Benchmark app gauges the performance and speed of Android-based mobile devices.

Besides other features, Aakash 4 would weigh less than 500 grams with at least 4GB internal storage, external storage of 32 GB, a 7-inch display screen, dual-bootable operating system (Ubuntu distro along with Android Jelly Bean), a battery offering at least three hours online support, 720p video playback and minimum five hours on web browsing.

The version would also possess calling facility and high-speed 4G services support, as per specifications released by the government.

According to the specifications, it would 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. It was aimed at providing low-cost computing devices at subsidised rates to students so that they could access the internet for educational purposes.

The first version of the tablet was launched on 5 October, 2011 and then had basic features. It cost to the government around Rs2,276. The version was later upgraded with a number of advanced features at the same price.

The latest version would come with additional features, however, but the final price of the tablet had not been disclosed. The new version of the tablet would incorporate in-built Bluetooth facility, which previous versions did not include.