Size, affordability, easy access and price, these are the key determinants for success of any tablet device and Apple’s iPad has very well-managed to slot in perfectly into each requisition. The infamous device from the Cupertino firm has thrown a gauntlet for other manufacturers to develop a completely new segment of computing devices set to take on the traditional computers, laptops and netbooks. We’ve probably heard of iPad success stories quite a few times now. But today, it’s a new tablet from India which has created a storm beingthe cheapest tablet available with its price tag of only $35.

In its efforts of offering affordable computing devices to its people, India has just received its first $35 tablet device. Sporting a  5/7/9 inch touchscreen(guess that signifies the variants) smaller memory and no hard disk, the tablet like device  is expected to first hit higher education institutions, colleges and varsities starting 2011. It packs inside a bunch of features that include internet browsers, PDF reader, video conferencing facilities, open office, sci-lab, media player, remote device management capability, multimedia input-output interface option, and multiple content viewer. The Linux-based device also gets a battery alternative in the form of solar power that can be used to charge the device.

The tablet had been a dream project of Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal.

“This is part of the national initiative to take forward inclusive education. The solutions for tomorrow will emerge from India,” said Sibal. “We have reached a (developmental) stage that today; the motherboard, its chip, the processing, connectivity, all of them cumulatively cost around $35, including memory, display, everything.”

The device which as we see is yet to be named has been designed developed by the HRD Ministry’s teams who plans to further lower down the prices to as low as $10.