zlacker

>>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.

>>gfrang+Y5
This is literally like asking why no biotechs have come in and disrupted, say, the CPAP machine market with lower cost alternatives.

Calculators used in university entrance examinations must be approved and certified by THE COLLEGE BOARD™, who will only approve specific models and not workalikes. The stated reason for this is to prevent cheating, but as usual the creation of monopolies who can then charge what they like is a nice side benefit, if not the primary benefit.

>>bitwiz+Y6
On one hand, you're right, there's a limited number of accepted calculators

But on the other, there are a newer entries on the list that seem totally unrelated to the incumbents like Casio and HP, like this one:

https://www.numworks.com/

It makes me wonder what the actual certification process looks like, maybe it's just adding things like exam mode and presenting it to the board