Reuters Posted online: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 0943 hours IST Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 1013 hours IST
New Delhi, May 11: Encore Software Ltd said on Tuesday it would launch a range of cheap desktops costing between $230 to $280, three years after it launched the $200 "Simputer," a handheld device.
"Mobilis", a Linux-based 'Mobile Desktop' and two of its variants have been developed by Encore Software, which also built the low-cost handheld "Simputer" and which critics say has met with modest success.
"The "Mobilis" would cost between 10,000-12,000 rupees per piece initially but the price may come down with large volume production," Vinay Deshpande, chairman and CEO of the Bangalore-based Encore Software, told Reuters.
Production would start in two-three months, he added.
"It is targeted mainly at the basic user and not the techie. Students, small shop owners and educational institutions are our target consumers."
Encore's desktop project is backed by the government which is hoping it would make computers affordable for more people.
"The entire team working on the project was absolutely clear about the type of product required for Indian conditions and the common man," Kapil Sibal, minister for science and technology, said in a statement.
The shares of Encore Software closed at 37.30 rupees on Tuesday on the benchmark Bombay stock exchange, up 9.87 percent over the previous day's close.
India is a globally recognised software services powerhouse but hardware sales have not met with a similar success due to high input costs and tax rates.
Deshpande said the new products have built-in local-language support and offered word processing, web browsing as well as local-language interface and text-to-speech, at no extra cost.
"The product has already attracted major clients like Indian tobacco major ITC to keep in touch with its vast distribution network in India and a New Jersey-based firm, Habitat Technologies," Deshpande said.
The "Mobilis" comes in three versions and one of its versions offers the built-in GPS receiver and GPRS Wireless Modem options.
