The 3G-powered mobile game console Zeebo is now adopting an educational angle, as the system's owner, Zeebo, teamed up with Educomp to bring educational content to kids in India.
Zeebo originally launched as primarily a gaming console for emerging markets in 2009, sporting games like
Quake, Tekken and
FIFA. The new learning-focused Indian version of Zeebo will launch later this year.
The Indian version of the device will provide Indian customers with internet connectivity, access to email, downloadable family-friendly games and "the ability to connect with friends, family and teachers," according to Zeebo.
The new initiative comes as part of a new joint venture called Zeebo India, involving Qualcomm-funded Zeebo, Indian education company Educomp Solutions and development studio Lakshya Digital. The companies will develop and manage Zeebo content "for use by Indian school going children, both at home and in the classroom," Zeebo said.
A new mobile-based learning option that connects to TVs is relevant to Indian children and parents, said Zeebo CEO John Rizzo. "This partnership will enable us to provide a wide variety of new content and services for education, distance learning and interaction among Indian children, parents and teachers," he said.
"Access to such content and capabilities has been very limited in India because of the lack of a suitable platform and content delivery mechanism," Rizzo added. He said wireless coverage is "proliferating rapidly" in India.
Zeebo recently announced the formation of Zeebo China, which aims to release the console to that country.
