We have been hearing about the Aakash Tablet PC for quite some time in fact pre-orders for the same had already started and you might have read my earlier post on why you should avoid pre-ordering the Aakash Tablet. Well the Aakash website has changed and the links to multiple domains have vanished. But here is some good news Aakash tablet can now be ordered online.
Update (11th November 2012): Aakash 2 tablet launched today. 1GHz, 512MB RAM, 4GB and running ICS.
Update (17th September 2012): After a long wait, DataWind has now launched 4 more tablets that will be priced well within 5K price range. The new tablets that are launched are UbiSlate 7Ri, UbiSlate 7R+, UbiSlate 7Ci and UbiSlate 7C+.
Update (3rd August 2012): It’s been a long time since there was any update form the Aakash manufacturers, well now the news is that the Aakash 2 will cost under Rs. 1500 for Students and for general consumers it will come for under Rs. 4,500.
Update (26 April 2012): Datawind now launched the commercial (consumer) version of Aakash 2 called the Ubislate 7+ and Ubislate 7C. I hope there is some improvement in the booking process too. Those who had already made the payments for the Ubislate 7+ before will now get the Ubislate 7C instead.
Update (02 April 2012): As expected the Aakash 2 launch will not happen this month (April) instead it is postponed to May 2012.
Update (16 March 2012): Good News! Upgraded Aakash tablet will be available in April 2012, follow the link for more details. The new aakash tab will first be distributed to students, not sure when the general consumers will get their hands on it.
Update (13 March 2012): Now a 1.5 GHz android 4.0 powered low cost tablet PC launched by NXG Electronics Pvt Ltd with capacitive 7 inch touchscreen for Rs.5,490. Read more about the android 4.0 powered Xtab A10.
Update (1 march 2012): Now a Rs. 5000 android tablet (ATab) for Students coming soon.
Update (25 feb 2012): Forget Aakash Pre-Book BSNL’s low cost tablet click here.
Update (24 feb 2012): It is now officially confirmed that Datawind can still bid in new Aakash 2 tender.
Update (20 feb 2012): The GOVT is unhappy with Aakash 1, there are many problems and a lot of the tablets are defective. It is for these reasons that The GOVT may not extend the contract with Datawind. As per reports Datawind shipped only 10,000 units since Oct 11.
Update (20 feb 2012): Kapil Sibal confirms there are issues with datawind, but says the Aakash tablet 2 will be launched with the same price tag. When? probably in 2012.
Update (11 feb 2012): Now you can check the order status from ubislate.com website. Check your Ubislate 7+ pre-order status online.
Update (7 feb 2012): Ubislate 7+ or Aakash 2 delivery may never happen and if it does avoid buying it from Datawind. GOVT is now looking for fresh tenders for a more powerful 1.2 GHz Aakash 2 at under Rs. 3,000. Sounds difficult but for the time being avoid buying the Aakash 2 (Ubislate 7+) tablet.
Update (2 feb 2012): Ubislate 7+ that was expected to be launched in January 2012 has now been delayed until end of February, still no guarantee if it will be launched, then. The GOVT had decided to hand over the tendering process for new improved Aakash version to public sector instead of IIT Rajasthan. Well for consumers waiting for the Aakash tablet it means more waiting.
Update (24 jan 2012): Device issues, disputes between vendors and manufacturer will slow down the Aakash Tablets delivery process. This means if you have ordered the tablet you will have to wait longer.
Update (16 jan 2012): Everything you wanted to know about the Aakash Tablet (Ubislate 7 / Ubislate 7+) FAQ (Frequently asked questions).
To know the status of your order you can send an email to [email protected], this process will also take a lot of time but at least you can send datawind a message.
Update (9 jan 2012): Due to overwhelming datawind company is not able to attend to all the queries from users. The call center is getting thousands of calls per day and many users may find it difficult to get through the toll free line. users can try sending email for any queries to [email protected], datawind will try to answer your queries at the earliest.
Update (4 jan 2012): It seems there are too many orders for the UbiSlate 7+ (Upgraded Aakash) as the aakshtablet site is now showing that all available tablets quota for Jan and Feb has been sold out. However users can still book for March 2012. Those who had booked early can expect the tablet delivered in Jan or Feb.
Update (26 dec 11): Buy aakash tablet with multiple payment options from Ncarry.com.
Update (23 dec 11): Aakash tablet delivery delayed!
Update (18 dec 11): Aakash Tablet @ Rs. 2,500 now sold out, but you can still pre-order the UbiSlate 7 tablet. Strange as it may seem Aakash tablet sold out so soon, not sure how many tablets have been sold so far.
As we all know Aakash is a low cost tablet with a price band of Rs. 2,500 for a 366 MHz processor (Arm11), running on Android 2.2 OS with Wi-Fi support. Many users had already pre-ordered it before but now the aakashtablet.com site shows the order now button with delivery within a week (cash on delivery).
The aakashtablet.com website whois info is hidden via domains by proxy, I wonder why? I still don’t like the Aakash website and hope they do some work on the site. The order can be placed by filling in a form and there are no pre-payment. The Aakash tablet will be delivered within one week. The booking process rather seems non-automated and the order confirmation may take a lot of time and only when the order is confirmed will the tablet be delivered within a week. There is no credit card / debit card option and only mode of payment is via cash on delivery. Do confirm the OS on Ubi Slate 7 – on Aakashtablet.com it says android 2.3 and on ubislate.com it says android 2.2.
There were many users who had pre-booked the Aakash before and they may now be cursing their luck – here is why. You get two options you now, can either order the Aakash tablet for Rs. 2,500 or pre-book the UbiSlate 7 a more powerful tablet for Rs. 2,999. As I told you before the aakashtablet.com website is pathetic, there is no info on how to cancel the order. The only alternative I see is to call the Toll Free Number : 1800.180.2180.
Aakash tablet versus the UbiSlate 7
Aakash Tablet is powered by Arm11 (366 Mhz) processor with android 2.2 and Wi-Fi. The battery used is 2100 mAh. This tablet is now available in India.
The UbiSlate 7 on the other hand is powered by a Cortex A8 (700 MHz) processor and comes with Android 2.3 with Wi-Fi and GPRS (SIM and Phone functionality supported). This tablet comes with 3200 mAh battery and will be available by the end of January 2012.
It does make sense to wait and buy the UbiSlate 7 tablet which has better specifications all this for just Rs. 2,999 (Rs. 500 extra as compared with Aakash tablet).
Click here to book your tablet … or pre-book the UbiSlate 7. If you are not comfortable with the aakashtablet.com site you can place the order by calling 1800.180.2180 (Toll Free) though it will be tough to get through, be prepared for “this number is busy please try again”.
Pre-Book UbiSlate 7 Timeline
- I have placed the order errr.. filled up the form for UbiSlate 7 on 15th December.
- I have not received any call or email yet, I really don’t understand why these people use the Internet when they still do all the work manually. It seems they use the net for communication and not for productivity. Anyway will update this page when I get more information.
- Still no email. Tried calling the toll free number but line is busy.
- Aakashtablet.com website is now down ( as on 16th December 2:44 PM IST). I guess too much traffic. If they want to make this tablet a success they need more manpower or better technology, and this is just the beginning.
- Aakashtablet.com site working now and the pre-book link now goes to .
- I filled the form – placed the pre-book order again and submitted (on 16th December), and this time I got a the booking ID on screen and a message “You will shortly receive an email confirmation from our support team with further details” (I Guess the previous attempt on 15th failed). And I just got the email too. Looks great. I guess the site is now working or you can go to ubislate.com to book.
- The UbiSlate 7 comes with Android 2.2 and now 2.3 as the aakash site is showing. The booking email says 7″ Android 2.2 Tablet.
What happens after you book the Tablet from the site?
You will receive an email from datawind.com with subject line “PreBooking Info Received : Your Booking id is : “. In my case I got a first mail with some other booking ID and then this second mail that read..
“Please ignore the previous email sent. Your correct Booking ID present in the Subject Line of this email. Someone from our sales team would get in touch with you and provide you with the payment and delivery options. After the commercial launch we would get in touch with you to deliver your device as soon possible.”
So the datawind company does re-confirms the order before dispatching. Those who want to cancel the order can do so at that time.