@Box possesses two processors, developed in-house by the company, and a Linux-based operating system. The device can withstand power fluctuations and does not require booting. It can be connected to the TV or a monitor and enables web-surfing, 2D/3D games, word processing, internet calls, and video conferencing when connected to a web camera. Additionally, it can serve as IPTV interface with the help of a broadband connectivity. It also offers digital video recorder or personal video recorder services besides conditional access and digital rights management support.
According to The Hindu, the company has filed four patent applications and is in talks with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to offer this packed with new televisions and also with four domestic telecom carriers. Furthermore, it plans to start commercial production of @Box by March 2008 and will price it at $100.
At about $100 per piece, every Indian household would be able to access Internet at home. The hardware, operating system and the software are developed by our company. It is an easy to use unlike a personal computer, said K A Padmanabham, chairman & managing director at Ichip India.
We are in talks with manufacturers in South Korea, Thailand and China for manufacturing the device. We are also looking at the possibility of manufacturing it in India at a low-cost basis, said Kota Bhaskar, chief technology officer and president at Ichip India.
The company plans to launch @Box in 2008 and along with a remote keyboard, mouse and joystick interfaces.
Source: ComputerWire daily updates
