Third World Wired

Think computers are cheap these days? For people in developing countries, they're still not cheap enough to bridge the digital divide. That's a gap that Bangalore, India–based startup PicoPeta hopes to close with its Simputer (pictured), which stands for "simple, inexpensive, multilingual computer."

PicoPeta was formed as a for-profit company that will raise money to build Simputers for charitable projects, primarily those in economically struggling India. But unlike most cheap PC ventures, Swami Manohar, cofounder and acting CEO, says that PicoPeta "has to be a commercially viable proposition."

Resembling a large, clunky handheld PC, the Linux-based Simputer will cost about $200 and run on an Intel StrongArm chip, known for its low power consumption. It can operate in five different languages (four Indian languages and English), send and receive e-mail, and browse the Web. It also features several interfaces, including a touchscreen keyboard and a text-to-speech program that reads words aloud for illiterate users—a group representing almost 50 percent of India. And since the Simputer was designed to be shared by multiple users within a community to spread out the cost, it's equipped with a smart card system that stores each user's preferences, e-mail, and Web settings. This flexibility could eventually open up the Simputer for kiosk-style use.

Manohar says the South Asia Foundation has commissioned PicoPeta to implement its first educational project in seven south Asian nations, beginning in the Indian region of Chattisgarh. The initiative is expected to help an estimated 2,000 students who will get 100 shared Simputers with access to wireless news content. Field trials are scheduled to begin early this year.

RIP for the Net Appliance? PicoPeta may find fans in the developing world, but the "computer for the common man"—also known as the "Net appliance"—hasn't done so well stateside. Nearly all have died within months of launch. The obituaries: DEVICE BORN RIP Netpliance I-Opener Launched in November 1999 for a promotional $99 with service fees. The price quadrupled to $400 by July 2000. Discontinued in January 2001. NIC (New Internet Computer) Owned by Oracle's Larry Ellison, the Linux-based NIC launched in May 2000 for $199. Ellison is now hoping to hawk the device—which is still on life support—to schools and small businesses. Intel Dot Station Announced in June 2000, but Intel only shipped 250,000 to Spain as part of an AOL Avant deal. Intel axed its consumer products division and Dot Station in October 2001. Compaq iPaq Home Internet Appliance Launched in August 2000 at $599, $499 with MSN rebate. Price has been slashed to $299. Still offered on its own or as an MSN Companion device. 3Com Audrey Debuted in October 2000 for $499. Despite a huge ad campaign, Audrey was discontinued in March 2001. Gateway/AOL Connected Touch Launched in December 2000 for $599. Poor sales forced Gateway and AOL to discontinue the device in September 2001. Sony eVilla Hit stores in June 2001 at $499. Canned after just two months for "stability and usability" issues.

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Ziff Davis Smart Business.