Jio Platforms Debuts JioPC: Turn Any TV into a Cloud-Powered PC
Select customers can join via waitlist, with the standalone device priced at ₹5,499 (approx. $64) or bundled with broadband plans.
Jio Platforms, the digital arm of Reliance Industries, has unveiled JioPC, a virtual desktop service that transforms any television into a cloud-based computer via Jio’s set-top box.
Users simply connect a keyboard and mouse to access a desktop-like interface featuring open-source LibreOffice, while browser-based access to Microsoft Office is also supported.
"It is ideal for browsing, running productivity apps, educational tools, attending online classes, and more… eliminates maintenance or upgrade worries since everything is managed in the cloud," the company said.
However, the system currently lacks support for peripherals such as webcams and printers, and requires a live internet connection.
In a limited free trial, select customers can join via waitlist, with the standalone device priced at ₹5,499 (approx. $64) or bundled with broadband plans.
The move addresses India’s steep digital divide, where only about 15% of households own a PC, yet 70% have a TV. JioPC could democratise computing access across urban and rural areas, bypassing high upfront costs and technical barriers.
It also aligns with reports that Reliance is in talks with OpenAI, possibly integrating advanced AI services to further enrich the virtual desktop platform.
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