Following its successful disruption of the mobile market in India with low-cost devices, Reliance Retail is set to make its next big move. The Mukesh Ambani-led retail behemoth is launching a $200 laptop known as JioBook. This move aims to once again shake the tech industry as the company broadens its reach into the electronics sector.
The JioBook, a 4G-enabled laptop, is priced at a reasonable 16,499 rupees, approximately $200.63. The laptop will be up for grabs from August 5, via the company’s physical retail outlets as well as their online platform, Reliance Digital.
Operating on JioOS, an operating system derived from Google’s Android OS, the JioBook offers a friendly user experience. Adding to its allure, the laptop comes with pre-installed JioTV and JioCloudGames apps, further enhancing its appeal to entertainment and gaming enthusiasts, as revealed in a recent company statement.
The news of JioBook’s local production was first reported by Reuters last October, identifying Flex as the contract manufacturer. This localization aspect bolsters the company’s commitment to domestic innovation and market disruption.
Reliance Retail, under Ambani’s guidance, has earned a reputation for turning industries on their heads with competitive price offerings. The company’s wireless venture, Jio Infocomm, previously disrupted the Indian mobile market by launching affordable internet plans in 2016. As they pivot to the laptop market with the JioBook, the tech industry is eagerly watching for the ripple effects this launch could cause.
This story is based on an article from thestar.com.my.
