Japanese consumer electronics firm Akai today launched a ‘Smart Box’ which allows users to surf the Internet on their television sets, at a price of Rs 6,590 in the country.
The company, which is targeting revenues of Rs 250 crore this fiscal, expects sales of one lakh devices in the next three-four months.
“Our Smart Box is set to change the way people watch television in India. TVs, irrespective of whether it’s a colour TV or LCDs and LEDs, are compatible with the device and using the Smart Box can be converted into a smart television,” Akai Managing Director Pranay Dhabhai told PTI.
The Android-based device, powered by a 1.25-Ghz processor, comes with a wireless mouse for navigation. It is equipped with 4GB internal memory, expandable up to 32GB through the SD card slot.
Similar to Apple TV, Smart Box is a digital media device which allows users to access content such as videos, games and Web sites using WiFi and broadband connection.
Google, which operates the Android platform, also plans to launch its set-top box ‘Google TV’.
The Smart Box has 4 USB ports, hard drives as well as connects to Internet using 3G dongle.
The device connects to the Internet using LAN, WiFi as well as 3G. It also acts as a router using which other devices such as tablet PCs and laptops can be connected to the Internet.
“In this fiscal, we are looking at a revenue of Rs 250 crore, of which 20 per cent we see coming from the Smart Box. We see the device as a major revenue driver for us,” Dhabhai said.
Last year, Akai India’s revenues stood at Rs 175 crore. There are similar devices available in the Indian market.
In June this year, Amkette had launched its ‘EvoTV’ priced at Rs 9,995.
Akai India will sell the devices through e-commerce stores, its Web site as well large format stores and distribution channels. It will also launch television commercials and digital campaigns for the device.
“Right now, 80 per cent of our revenues came from TVs, while the remaining 20 per cent from other consumer durables. Going ahead, we expect this to change to 75 per cent (TVs) and 15 per cent each from Smart Boxes and consumer durables,” he said.