The Simputer www.simputer.org

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The Simputer www.simputer.org
Radical Simplicity !
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"So, take heart Simpler, more natural computer
systems will enter our lives within the next 5 to
10 years. Lets speed up their arrival, as users
by asking for them, and as technologists by
daring to build them Michael
Dertouzos The People's Computer
Technology Review
May/June 2000.
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Needs

• I want to reserve a train ticket to Mumbai.
• Use the Simputer to submit a reservation form
• Can I meet the Tashildar today?
• It seems that I can use my Simputer to check
  his availability.
• I dont have to trek two miles to find out.
• Dear Postman, can I withdraw Rs 100 from my
  account?
• Here is my smart card.

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Overcoming Limitations

• At what price should I
• sell potatoes today?
• Connect Simputer to the telephone and find out.

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Perceptual Computing

• Interfaces
• Information Markup Language (IML)
• Unicode Compliant
• IMLi (Browser)
• Text-to-Speech (TTS)
• - Phonetic
• - Indian languages.

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Browse
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Digital Diary
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EMAIL
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Sharing Technology

• In India as in many countries
• Technological Devices are not always
• owned but are shared !
• -- Radio, TV, Phones and even the
• Refrigerator.
• Transformation from shared to ownership
• over time and in higher income brackets.

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Simputer Specifications - 1

• Platform
• SA-1110 StrongARM CPU,
• 32Mb DRAM and 16Mb Flash
• Operating system is GNU/Linux
• Development Platform Perl / Tk.
• Feature
• SmartCard Reader / Writer.
• Personalizer (Shared Device)
• Secure Financial Transactions

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Simputer Specifications - 2

• Connectivity
• V.34 (33.6 Kbps) Soft Modem,
• IRDA interface,
• extensibility through a USB port.
• Power
• 3 AAA batteries
• AC Adapter
• Input
• Touch-sensitive (240X320) LCD
• Virtual and USB Keyboard

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Plans

• Launch with Prototypes (November 2000)
• Manufacture
• Licensed by the Simputer Trust
• Open to suggestions
• Wireless Simputer
• IEEE 80211B / Bluetooth
• GSM / CDMA

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Simputer

• Designed to be shared (Smart card personalizer)
• Simple to use, perceptual computing
• Rich in interfaces
• Soft modem
• Smart card
• Infra Red Data Access
• USB port
• Audio

The Radical Simplicity of Universal Access !
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Thank You
The Simputer Trust Bangalore, India www.simputer.o
rg simputer_at_csa.iisc.ernet.in