The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man.
It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer.
The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio. The Simputer meets these demands through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML). IML has been created to provide a uniform experience to users and to allow rapid development of solutions on any platform.

Someday soon, the wave of a handheld scanner will bring supermarket aisles of dormant canned goods and detergents to life, each abuzz with electronic information about its exact location, shelf life, directions for use, and recycling. Something as small as a razor blade may be able to alert store security that it’s being shoplifted.

New Architect: The Culture of Usability
How To Spend Less And Get More From Your Usability-Testing Program (by Janice Fraser)
Now that most of us agree that usability testing is an integral investment in site development, it’s time to recognize that the standard approach falls short. It is possible to do less work and get better results while spending less money. By bringing usability testing in-house and breaking tests into more manageable sessions, you can vastly improve your online offering without affecting your profit margin.