Apple, Intel, Microsoft bid on 15 million tablets for Turkey
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Thu August 18, 2011
Project would grant 15 million tablets to schools
Apple, Intel and Microsoft may bid to help supply up to 15 million tablets to Turkish schoolkids over a period of four years, according to the country's state-owned news agency, Anatolia. The outlet quotes Turkish trade minister Zafer Caglayan, who says that while visiting the US, Apple officials told him the company might also consider using Turkish manufacturers to build accessories such as covers and headphones for iPads and iPhones. To win the tablet contract, known as Fatih, a company must at least build the tablets within Turkey.
Caglayan adds that a Microsoft team may visit Turkey to inquire about Fatih. Intel, meanwhile, is allegedly considering building a research and development facility in the country. While the companies appear to be working on sweetening their bids, of the three, only Apple has an existing commercial tablet that could be adapted to educational needs.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2008
Apple seriously needs to do
whatever it takes to get that contract. If there was ever a reason to invest some of that reserve cash into gaining an iPad contract, this is it. For Apple it will only be a matter of boosting production again whereas Microsoft would have to start from scratch.