View source for Simputer

{{Short description|Linux-based handheld computer}}
{{Infobox Information appliance
|name = [[Image:SimputerLogo.png]]
|image = [[Image:Simputer.png|200px]]
|manufacturer = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000425104016/http://www.ncoretech.com/ Encore]}}{{·}} [http://picopeta.com Picopeta]
|type = [[Mobile device|Handheld computer]]
|connectivity = [[Infrared]]{{·}} [[USB|USB devices]]
|lifespan = since 2002
|media = [[Smart card]]<br/>[[USB|USB storage devices]]
|os = [[Linux]]
|input = 320 x 240px [[touchscreen]]<br/>USB keyboard
|power = [[Lithium-ion battery]]
|cpu = [[StrongARM]] SA-1110 206&nbsp;MHz <0.4&nbsp;W
|memory = 64 MB
|display = 3.8" 320 x 240 LCD screen (B&W/STN/TFT) displaying greyscale/4096/65536 cols
|dimensions = 142mm x 72mm x 20mm<br/>206 gm
|touchpad = Entire screen
}}

The '''Simputer''' is a self-contained, [[Open-source hardware|open hardware]] Linux-based [[mobile device|handheld computer]] that was first released in 2002, developed in, and primarily distributed within [[India]]. The product was envisioned as a low-cost alternative to [[personal computer]]s. The Simputer project had the initial goal of selling 50,000 units, but only sold about 4,000 units by 2005, and has been called a failure by news sources.<ref>{{cite news | first=Lawrence | last=Latif | url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/feature/1726891/indias-usd35-laptop-scheme-help | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912172730/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/feature/1726891/indias-usd35-laptop-scheme-help | url-status=unfit | archive-date=September 12, 2010 | title=India's $35 laptop scheme needs help |publisher=the Inquirer |access-date=2011-03-30 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/15/0050205&from=rss|title = What Happened to Simputer? - Slashdot}}</ref>

==Design and hardware==
The device was designed by the Simputer Trust, a non-profit organization formed in November 1999 by seven [[India]]n scientists and engineers led by Dr. [[Swami Manohar]]. The word "Simputer" is an [[acronym]] for "simple, inexpensive and [[multilingualism|multilingual]] people's computer", and is a [[trademark]] of the Simputer Trust. The device includes text-to-speech [[software]] and runs the [[Linux]] [[operating system]]. Similar in appearance to the [[PalmPilot]] class of [[mobile device|handheld computer]]s, the touch sensitive screen is operated on with a [[Stylus (computing)|stylus]]; simple [[handwriting recognition]] software is provided by the program Tapatap.

The Simputer Trust licensed two manufacturers to build the devices, Encore Software, which has also built the Mobilis for Corporate/Educational purposes and the SATHI for Defence purposes, and PicoPeta Simputers, which released a consumer product named the Amida Simputer.

The device features include [[touchscreen]], [[smart card]], Serial port, and [[USB]] connections, and an [[Infrared Data Association]] (IrDA) port. It was released in both greyscale and color versions.

==Software==
The Simputer uses the [[Linux]] [[kernel (operating system)|kernel]] (2.4.18 Kernel as of July 2005), and the Alchemy Window Manager (only the Amida Simputer). [[Software]] packages include: Scheduling, [[Calendar]], Voice Recording and Playback, simple [[spreadsheet]] application, [[Internet]] and network connectivity, [[Web browsing]] and email, an [[digital library|e-Library]], games, and support for [[Java Platform, Micro Edition|Java ME]], [[DotGNU]] (a [[free software]] implementation of .NET), and [[Adobe Flash|Flash]].

In addition, both licensees developed custom applications for microbanking, traffic police, and medical applications.

==Deployments==
In 2004, Simputers were used by the government of [[Karnataka]] to automate the process of land records procurement.  Simputers were also used in a project in [[Chhattisgarh]] for the purpose of [[e-learning|e-education]]. In 2005, they were used in a variety of applications, such as [[automobile]] [[engine]] diagnostics (Mahindra & Mahindra in [[Mumbai]]), tracking of iron-ore movement from [[mining|mine]] pithead to shipping point ([[Dempo]], [[Goa]]), [[Microcredit]] (Sanghamitra, [[Mysore]]), Electronic Money Transfer between [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Ghana]] (XK8 Systems, UK), and others.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} In recent times, the Simputer has seen deployment by the police force to track traffic offenders and issue traffic tickets.{{when|date=October 2015}}

==Commercial production==
Pilot production of the Simputer started in September 2002. In 2004, the Amida Simputer became commercially available for {{INR}}12450 and up (approximately US$240). The prices for Amida Simputer vary depending on the screen type (monochrome or colour).

By 2006, both licensees had stopped actively marketing their Simputer devices. PicoPeta was acquired by Geodesic Information Systems (a developer of communication and collaboration systems) in 2005.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Electronics|Free Software}}
* [[Akash (tablet)|Akash/Sakshat tablet]]
* [[Bharat Operating System Solutions|BOSS Linux]] developed by C-DAC
* [[Digital divide]]
* [[Longmeng]] or ''Dragon Dream'' is a Chinese low-cost computer being designed to cost €100
* [[VIA pc-1 Initiative]]
* [[ZX81]] the first million selling low cost (£69/$99.95) Computer.

==References==
{{reflist}}
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1442000.stm "Indian handheld to tackle digital divide"]. (July 18, 2001).
* Srinivasan, S. (Apr. 3, 2005). [https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=637645 "Handheld Computer Yet to Reach the Masses"]. ''[[Associated Press]]''.
* Swami Manohar (Nov. 2005) [https://simpact-india.blogspot.com/2005_11_01_simpact-india_archive.html High Return Computing]
* BBC News, 10 September 2001 [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1535992.stm Computer deal for India's poor]
* Outlook India, September 22, 2002: [https://web.archive.org/web/20021004030518/http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=85140 Pilot production of Simputer begins]
* BBC News, 1 August 2005 - [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4725639.stm Woe for traffic offenders in Sim city]

{{commons category}}

==External links==
* [http://www.simputer.org/ Official website]
* [http://www.picopeta.com/ PicoPeta Simputers]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000425104016/http://www.ncoretech.com/ Encore]}}

[[Category:Appropriate technology]]
[[Category:Embedded Linux]]
[[Category:Information and communication technologies in Asia]]
[[Category:Linux-based devices]]
[[Category:Mobile computers]]
[[Category:Open-source hardware]]
[[Category:Indian inventions]]