Indiantelevision.com's Digital Edge: Microsoft launches education initiatives in India

Indiantelevision.com's Digital Edge

Microsoft launches education initiatives in India

Indiantelevision.com Team

(29 June 2007 4:52 pm)

MUMBAI: Under a social initiative, Microsoft India has signed an agreement with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Zenith computers to manufacture and sell affordable PCs aimed at Indian students for Rs.21,000 ($513).

Named as 'IQ PCs', these machines will run on AMD software and contain education software from Microsoft and local partners.

It will initially be sold in the cities of Bangalore in the south and Pune in the west for three months starting from Saturday, followed by a nationwide rollout in November. The move is a part of Microsoft's 'Unlimited Potential' program launched by Bill Gates in April and aims to use technology to increase the reach of education.

Microsoft will also launch of MSN IQ Beta Education Channel, which will be a repository of 'edutainment'. Students will have access online to curriculum, tutoring, competitive exam coaching, entertainment, references and counseling.

A new technology called Multipoint has also been developed which allows several computer mice to be used with the same PC simultaneously. This technology is targeted at schools in India and other countries that cannot afford to give each student a PC.

Access to the education channel will take place through the IQ PCs and from shared PCs at cyber cafes.

However, considering that the IQ PC is not cheap by Indian standards, Microsoft claims that the price will be attractive because of the software, Internet connectivity and other tools and services bundled with the product.