Simputer facts for kids
The Simputer is a small, low-cost computer device. It is a bit like an old-fashioned personal digital assistant (PDA) or a small tablet. What makes the Simputer special is its smart card slot. This allows many different people to use the same Simputer. Each user can keep their own private information safe on a cheap smart card. An Indian group called the Simputer Trust created this device. Its name means "Simple computer."
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How the Simputer Was Created
The idea for the Simputer came about in October 1998. This was during a big meeting called the Global Village. People at the meeting talked about how important it was to have a cheap computer for everyone. They wanted a device that could help people in developing countries. It needed to work with many different local languages.
When they were thinking of a name, they wanted something clever. They decided the name Simputer would stand for "Simple, Inexpensive, Multi-lingual comPUTER." Later, they expanded it to "Simple, Inexpensive Multi-lingual People's compUTER." People also started calling it the "computer for the masses." This means it was a computer for many, many people.
What Makes the Simputer Work
The Simputer has several important parts inside. It uses an Intel StrongARM processor that runs at over 200 MHz. It also has 64 MB of RAM (for temporary work) and 32 MB of Flash ROM (for permanent storage). It can use small, affordable smart cards that hold 8 KB of data.
This device can connect to the internet using a software modem. It also has USB ports to connect other devices. The screen is a 320x240 LCD with a touch panel. This means you can tap on the screen to use it. The Simputer runs on a special version of the Linux operating system.
It also has a text-to-speech feature. This allows the Simputer to read text out loud. It has jacks for speakers and a microphone. There is also a built-in Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port for wireless communication over short distances. The Simputer gets its power from three AAA-sized rechargeable batteries.
Companies That Made Simputers
The Simputer Trust allowed other companies to build devices based on their design. These companies are called licensees. The main companies that produced Simputers were PicoPeta Simputers and Encore Technologies.
Why the Simputer Is Important
The Simputer was designed to be a very useful tool for many countries. It is especially good for developing and less developed nations. Countries like India, Tajikistan, Mauritius, Mongolia, Ghana, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, and Vietnam could benefit from such a simple and affordable computer. It helps bring technology to more people.
See also
In Spanish: Simputer para niños
