Free Netbooks … If You Live in India

Reliance Communications, a large telecom carrier has announced that it will be giving away free netbooks. What's the catch, you ask? It's actually fairly reasonable; just sign up for a 2-year contract for their wireless Internet, NetConnect, for about $30 a month. Reliance will even be making the jump to 3G soon.



Cell phone providers have been using this sort of incentive for years now, which explains why I've never actually paid for a phone. The concept isn't new by any means, but this is the first time we'll actually see it applied to portable computers. Call it what you want: handset economics, cheap cloud computing, or even freE-books. Sign me up!

This recent development further blurs the line between portable computers and modern powerhouse mobiles. Take a look at your smartphones of late; they have touchscreens, complete QWERTY, even Photoshop.

Unfortunately, this free netbook deal shares an all-too common theme with another popular phone, the BlackBerry Bold. The Bold has been available overseas, but hasn't made it to America yet. I don't get it, we've got our visas, can't the Bold get one of its own?

Free netbooks are here (and by here we mean there, in India). We hope to see some of our stateside service providers show a little confidence in Reliance and follow in their path soon. Until then, find a laptop that will suit your fancy by checking out our reviews. Or maybe you're interested in smartphones? Or you could use your current computing device of choice and check out some more blogs:

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