Jio Platforms, part of Reliance Industries, has introduced a new service called JioPC. It lets you use your TV screen like a cloud-based personal computer.
Right now, JioPC is available for free on a trial basis to some users who join a waitlist.
JioPC works with Jio’s set-top box and comes free with Jio broadband plans or can be bought separately for ₹5,499 (about $64). You can connect a keyboard and mouse to use the cloud PC, but it does not support webcams or printers yet.
The system includes free tools like LibreOffice for simple tasks. You can also use Microsoft Office apps by opening them in a web browser, but they are not included in the system itself.
“It is ideal for browsing, running productivity apps, educational tools, attending online classes, and more,” the company said. “It is affordable, requires no upfront cost, and eliminates maintenance or upgrade worries since everything is managed in the cloud.”
However, the service requires an internet connection to function and cannot operate without it.
This launch is an essential step in Reliance’s plan to help more people use digital technology, especially in places where few have computers.
Research shows that over 70% of homes in India have a TV, but only 15% have a computer.
With JioPC, people can use their TVs like computers without spending a lot of money or worrying about maintaining a regular PC.
The launch happened four months after Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani talked about creating a cloud PC that can run powerful AI tasks.
He also said the platform will work on many different devices.
“The idea of using the television set as a computer via the set-top box is innovative,” said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint. “But JioPC will require strong consumer education to scale adoption. People need to be convinced that a virtual desktop accessed on a TV can replace a traditional PC.”
If those partnerships work out, JioPC could deliver advanced AI services to homes, schools, and small businesses across India.
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