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India attacks digital divide

India’s federal government plans on spending more than $2.7bn to help bridge the technological gap between its urban and rural areas. It’s goal: develop a voice-activated, low-cost computer. The need? More than 70 percent of the population lives in rural areas, where illiteracy is high.

The new device might resemble the two-year old Simputer — a handheld computer that reads web pages aloud in native Indian languages. This Linux-based handheld, with a price point of $200, has not yet found a market.

India will also soon launch a Web portal for corporations to deal directly with the government; the goal of the portal is to reduce corruption.

Links: BBC; IDG Singapore; Newindpress (India)

By Kathy E. Gill

Digital evangelist, speaker, writer, educator. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles! @kegill

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