India's version of the iPad may have been inspired by Apple's tablet but it costs a fraction of the price. Aakash, or 'sky' in Hindi, was developed by the Indian government as a learning tool and, thanks to a state subsidy, will sell for about $35. After a successful launch, the Indian government and its partner Datawind, a U.K.-based software and hardware company, have their eyes on the U.S., the world's largest consumer-electronics market. But will the discount device actually make it in America?
Although low-cost consumer electronics from Japan, Korea and China have found a ready market in the U.S., Indian innovations have so far witnessed a lukewarm reaction. There has been much interest in the Tata Nano, the world's cheapest car, but its American launch has been delayed until next year. The company is still trying to work its way around the stringent safety requirements in the U.S.
From: http://ping.fm/UAnmp
