Hello followers! Today, we’re diving into an exciting tech move coming straight from India.

Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has launched JioPC, a virtual desktop service aimed at set-top box users. This initiative seeks to turn millions of TVs into personal computers across India.

The service is cloud-based and can be accessed through Jio’s set-top box, which is either included free with broadband or bought separately for about ₹5,499 ($64). Currently, it’s in free trial and users need to waitlist, but once invited, they can connect a keyboard and mouse to their TV to get full desktop access.

JioPC has some limitations—no support for external peripherals like cameras or printers and uses LibreOffice by default. For Microsoft Office apps, users must open them via a browser. Despite these hurdles, Ambani’s bet on JioPC is looking promising on paper.

Tarun Pathak from Counterpoint notes that this service could help Jio expand its huge user base of over 488 million. While 70% of Indian households own a TV, just 15% have a PC, highlighting a big opportunity. Still, marketing and explaining how to use a PC on a TV will be key.

The active pay-TV set-top box market has nearly 57 million users, but it’s shrinking as more switch to internet services. Overall, India’s PC shipments grew by over 8% in the first quarter, yet PC penetration remains low compared to markets like the U.S. and China, mainly due to lower disposable incomes and smartphone reliance.

For JioPC to succeed, partnerships with app developers and productivity tools are essential. Companies like Microsoft have long offered virtual desktop services for enterprises, but Jio’s move into consumer space could be a game-changer, says Ram.