Reliance Jio is working on an affordable laptop called the JioBook, according to a report. The new laptop is said to be based on a forked Android build that could be called JioOS. The firmware could come with Jio apps. The JioBook is also said to have 4G LTE support. The 2018 report had already indicated that this was an area Jio was working on. The Mumbai-based telecommunications operator is already well known thanks to its affordable data offering and the economical JioPhone. The laptop could help Jio go beyond cell phone users and reach the audience looking for budget-friendly computing devices. something that has become particularly important over the past year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gadgets 360 reached out to the Jio team for more information on this report and will update the article on the company’s response.
Jio is working with the Chinese manufacturer Bluebank Communication Technology to build the JioBook, reported XDA developers. The company already appears to be developing JioPhone models in its factory.
According to XDA Developers, this information was compiled from internal documents showing that development of the JioBook began in early September last year and is expected to continue in the first half of 2021. April. An image was also provided that supposedly shows a prototype of the JioBook and what the new laptop will look like in its final stages of development.
The JioBook prototype should appear in a picture
Photo Credit: XDA Developer
The leaked image shows the laptop with a Windows key, but the device is not expected to run in Windows. So expect these and possibly other details to change when Jio actually works on a JioBook.
JioBook specifications (expected)
In terms of specifications, XDA Developers reports that the current prototype of the JioBook has a display with a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels and Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 SoC, as well as a Snapdragon X12 4G modem. The laptop has been tested in many iterations and one of its models has 2 GB of LPDDR4x RAM as well as 32 GB of eMMC storage. Another model has 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64 GB of eMMC 5.1 storage.
The JioBook offers a range of connectivity options including a mini HDMI port, dual band WiFi and Bluetooth. It is also said to have a triaxial accelerometer and Qualcomm audio chip.
Jio is supposed to offer its apps like JioStore, JioMeet and JioPages, which are preinstalled on the JioBook. In addition, Microsoft apps such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Edge and Office should be included.
Details on pricing and availability of the JioBook will not be announced yet. However, the laptop is expected to be available in a budget segment later this year.
The coronavirus outbreak has boosted demand for laptops in global markets as people mostly work from home to maintain social distancing norms. Leading laptop manufacturers such as Dell, HP and Lenovo have already seen significant growth in their laptop shipments in India and other regions of the world. The remote work culture can also help Jio achieve further success with his affordable laptop.
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