(Image Source: IBN LIVE)

BY SYDNEY MILLER

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

India now has the bragging rights for creating the cheapest computer tablet in the world- the $35 “Aakash” (pron: uh-kosh), which means “Sky” in Hindi. Newsx has more.

“The groundbreaking device comes with a touch screen, 2GB of RAM, WiFi connectivity, and USB ports. There’s no word yet on what kind of software will be used on the device, which often significantly drives up the cost.”

But it isn’t just about a cheap tablet.The BBC reports, developer DataWind (pron: like the two words) and the Indian government paired to provide tablet technology to impoverished students, who otherwise couldn’t afford it.

“Experts say it does have the potential to make a huge difference to the country's education, particularly in rural areas where schools and students do not have access to libraries and up-to-date information.”

Aakash is meant to help push more Indian students into higher education.

Currently, only 7 percent of Indian students graduate from high school.

India’s Human Resources Development Minister called the device a technological milestone. VentureBreat quotes him as saying...

“The rich have access to the digital world, the poor and ordinary have been excluded. Aakash will end that digital divide.”

Datawind hopes to eventually lower the cost of each device to under $20 - but how does it stack up to more expensive cousins? Tech-exclusive compared the top-selling, $500 iPad 2 with the Aakash, and concludes...

“There is absolutely no comparison…iPad 2 literally stands ahead in all aspects as compared to Aakash tablet.”

Adding, “Indian government and manufacturers of the cheapest tablet have dumped some of the important features… to maintain the low price of the device.”

But the developers say Aakash is less about retail, and more about providing cheap technology to help students. On this point, the HR minister considers the tablet a success.

 “There are some moments in history, which will be milestones, recognized by future generations. This is one such moment. Today, we see the beginning of a dream realized. A dream in which every student, in every corner of this country, will have access to technology.”

Tech exclusive reports the tablet will be available for retail purchase - with bumped up specs under the name UbiSlate - by the end of October for $60.