>>lewisf+(OP)
Why have no edtechs created a low cost version of the TI-83/84? One that mirrors the functionality of the TI calcs so that they can still be used with textbooks that are dependent on those. The article estimates the TI's cost $15-20 to make, but even that seems very high for what they are.
I imagine the harder part is getting approval from the organizations that administer standardized tests like College Board and the states themselves.