---
title: Simputer
date: "2002-11-26T12:00:00Z"
categories:
  - links
wp_id: 1018
description: I'm looking at Scientific American's review of the Simputer, an early attempt at a low-cost handheld for developing countries. The central challenge remains whether people can afford a $250 device that isn't strictly essential.
keywords: [simputer, scientific american, developing nations, digital divide, handheld computing]
---

[Scientific American's review of the Simputer](http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000454AE-7675-1D7E-90FB809EC5880000&pageNumber=1).

> Perhaps the greatest obstacle for the Simputer, though, is cost. Will people in developing countries be able to justify the expenditure of $250 on a device that may be helpful but is not essential?

[via Kamat's Potpourri](http://www.kamat.com/vikas/blog.php?date=11/21/2002)