Intel launches Studybook, a tablet just for students

Intel launches Studybook, a tablet just for students:

Intel announced Studybook today, a tablet intended to be a cheap option, serving students internationally, and sold through local hardware vendors.
Intel wants companies around the world to brand it, and tailor its software to the educational region that company serves. That is, each tablet should run in that country’s language and have the local nuances that would make students feel at home using the new technology. The hardware itself, developed by Intel is made of rugged plastic, water and dust proof, and sports shock absorbers around the screen’s corners — made to be used by young students.
Those companies who do take on the responsibility of filling out the tablet will be able to price it based on how expensive the software is, as well as any hardware add-ons. The Wall Street Journal used the example of a piece of hardware that turned the tablet’s camera into a microscope. Intel does hope, however, that the tablet will retain a starting price of below $200, to remain affordable to schools.
In October, India’s government partnered with Canadian developer DataWind to create an extremely cheap Android tablet that, while not totally aimed at students, could have a huge impact on tech in the Indian classroom. The tablet, of which VentureBeat got the first look when it landed in the U.S., only costs $35. It is subsidized for the government, and would otherwise cost $60, still very cheap when compared with its Android brethren. While it’s certainly not as fast, or smooth as consumer tablets are, it is still powerful and can be tailored with apps to fit a number of needs. Check out a video of the Aakash tablet here.
Apple also has an obvious stake in the educational tablet market. The company recently announced iBooks 2, a set of interactive textbooks that compete with companies like Chegg, Inkling, and Know. Perhaps more importantly, the company launched iBooks Author, which allows anyone to create iBooks using a simple drag-and-drop interface. Having this kind of content on the tablet not only makes it more accessible, but also helps visual and audio learners soak up more from the written content, through its interactive content.
hat tip Wall Street Journal

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