Comments on: Access Internet via any display device – @Box from Ichip

By: Unmesh

Unmesh — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:53:09 +0000

Good effort esp the price tag. Is there a keyboard to interact with the internet or do they just provide a point-n-click device?

The biggest challenge, when targeting rural India, is going to be localized content and applications. If there were custom content channels that they can tune into (farming, weather, education, etc) it would be a draw. Would they be using it for Google Search? I doubt it.

By: Indus Khaitan

Indus Khaitan — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:24:34 +0000

I think this is awesome!

I looked at similar devices (not gonna name them here as it is @Box’s moment) based on compact versions of Linux. But they were coming out at 10,000/- plus shipping from abroad and no international warranty.

Here are some recommendations for @Box/iChip:
1. Make the product available on the web for purchase(browse-buy-ship)
2. There is no description of the product (chip, board, storage, memory) etc. Can I load my software? Can I use VLC player? What formats can it play? etc. etc.
3. Make WiFi as the default option as it is becoming common place.

My interest in devices like these is connecting a VLC player over WiFI to make a compact Video-On-Demand client for my TV. Right now, I have an old laptop sitting next to my TV which streams movie/audio from another machine.

By: Kasi

Kasi — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:06:25 +0000

6990 or 7000 is too high.

2500 is a decent deal and goes well with BJP’s tech agenda (200/month for 2MBPS connection).

They should bundle with operators (BSNL or Airtel…) like 3000/- with 1-year internet connection free.

should give the @box free and charge 300/month for internet and collect 1200/- year-on-year….this needs funds for 2-years of production.

By: Eldho

Eldho — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:00:40 +0000

i think a new PC will do the job better for 7000 Rs.
And don’t forget the radiation from the old TV’s.