Tech Shout!

Ichip Technologies, a Hyderabad-based firm has developed a technology that facilitates the delivery of Internet-based entertainment, education and communication services through a single integrated device called @Box.

Besides, the Ichip-developed @Box is also able to deliver other Internet-based services such as IPTV and Internet calls.

The Ichip @Box device will be available at a cheaper price point compared to conventional PCs.

The @Box device contains two processors fully developed by Ichip Technologies, plus a Linux-based operating system. Once connected to a TV or monitor and the Internet, the device can perform most tasks that a computer can, including surfing the Web and video conferencing.

According to Mr.Kota Bhaskar, CTO and President for Ichip Technologies, “If you look at the usage of PCs at home, nearly 70-80 percent of its actual capabilities are hardly harnessed. And yet people spend about Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 20,000 [US$ 377 – US$ 502.50] for it. What they require is a device that meets the basic requirements of surfing, handling word processing and the ability to make calls. This has led us to develop @Box, that becomes the single point interface with the world.”

IChip has reportedly filed four patents for the technology and has invested around Rs.10 crore for developing the technology.

“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,” added Bhaskar.

Mr. K.A. Padmanabhan, Chairman and MD of Ichip Technologies, said that the @Box could be priced at about the same level as a mobile phone, but this depends on how the services associated with the box get bundled by the telco

IChip Technologies stated that it will launch the @Box device in India shortly.