[analogue SPRINKLES]

Lord only knows how this fancy looking thing is only $75 and why 3rd world students need it. I can't imagine it is easy to type on, looks like an expensive replacement for a book.

"The new version loses the green rubbery keyboard, sporting instead a single square display hinged at its centre.
This allows the device to be split into two touch screens that can either mimic a laptop with keyboard or the pages of a book.
"Over the last couple of years we've learned the book experience is key," he said.
The idea is for several children to use the device at once, combining the functions of a laptop, electronic book and electronic board."



BBC NEWS | Technology | Design revamp for '$100 laptop'

[JoshuaZ]

Oddly, it looks like a very good consumer product in general.

Though I also do wonder about typing on such a device. The whole touch screen keyboard never seems to go over well. Maybe kids will have an easier time adapting to it.

Long story short, it kind of looks like something I would want... Like a much bigger, and much cheaper, iPhone. Add a spot to put in a 8 gig SD card and think of all the fun that could be had.

[design219]

Yeah, it actually does look like a good design. I'd like to see more images or a video of it in use. Very interesting.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

I still don't get how even one touch screen that size on its own can cost $75

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

I still don't get how even one touch screen that size on its own can cost $75

In 2030. Yes, I can see it being feasible.

-t

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

In 2030. Yes, I can see it being feasible.

-t

Well you better send them a memo as they expect to ship it in 2010.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

Well you better send them a memo as they expect to ship it in 2010.

I want to believe.

-t

[Jens Peter]

It looks cool - but as a tool for kids in the development countries I think the original version is much more useful. It still bugs me, that the "Give One, Get One" campaign was US-only, I would love to have one of those green baby's

[MacosNerd]

Ars had an article about this a few days ago. The original OLPC is having major support and distribution problems, along with possible design flaws. They should focus on fixing the current model before announcing the new one. They have yet been able to get anywhere near the projections (units and price) they had first targeted.

FWIW, they will be resurrecting the "Give One, Get One" program and it will also include Europe this time. Hopefully they'll have their distribution channel setup, the first go around with GOGO was a disaster as customers waited months and months after the release date and even then, the product was not getting into the buyers hands.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Oh and the fact that it runs windows now is pathetic. I remember when they first announced it steve jobs offered them OSX for FREE!

[Jens Peter]

Yes being able to run XP is also, in my eyes, a step back - but if that's what it takes, then fine by me. I just hope the children will try booting in linux and using those cool apps.

Originally Posted by MacosNerd 

FWIW, they will be resurrecting the "Give One, Get One" program and it will also include Europe this time. Hopefully they'll have their distribution channel setup, the first go around with GOGO was a disaster as customers waited months and months after the release date and even then, the product was not getting into the buyers hands.

This sounds good - do you know the timeline?

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Jens Peter 

This sounds good - do you know the timeline?

Boston.com
reports in the article that august or september is the time line for the new Give One Get One program

[mdc]

I just had a conversation about this this morning.

None of us could believe that the OLPC project bought aimed to bring out the original OLPC at $100 but finally released it at $175. Now they are claiming to be brining out a device (that would be extremely impressive and not cheap if brought out by another company) for $75. If any company released a laptop that had two touchscreens like that I would pay a lot of money for it. I cannot believe that this device will come out anything like their prototype or anywhere near $75.

I hope it does, I really do. If it does I'll buy two.

[MacosNerd]

I'm not a believer in this program. While the goals are admirable, they are coming from the ivory towers of academia and being such they've had little dealings with the "real" world. to that end we are seeing the results of that. ARS has been following this (with a critical eye) since the inception and from what they have reported over the last few months. The company has some pretty significant issues, leadership, infrastructure, design of the computer and target market. I really do question if they can pull off OLPC2 when they’re shown an inability to produce OLPC in quantities, deliver the product and provide support

[nonhuman]

Ordinarily I'd disagree with the characterization of academia as 'ivory towers', but I think the OLPC project has, from the beginning, proven that it's a pretty good label for MIT's Media Lab...

[Atheist]

I have to confess, I've always had images of kids with bloated stomachs and flies buzzing around their head... all the while working on one of these OLPC computers. Maybe I'm just misinterpreting what they are trying to accomplish.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

I have to confess, I've always had images of kids with bloated stomachs and flies buzzing around their head... all the while working on one of these OLPC computers. Maybe I'm just misinterpreting what they are trying to accomplish.

Na that is pretty much what I picture also. I am sure any one of them would rather have $75 in food over emailing someone in some other part of the world they will never meet.

[mduell]

$75 estimate from the OLPCtards... convert to reality and that's $150.

Eh, still cheaper than a Kindle.

[analogika]

I haven't checked my numbers, but I assume that *poverty* is a FAR more widespread problem than actual starvation, and it's nastily self-perpetuating.

You only have a chance to rise out of poverty if you've got a level playing field. In the increasingly globalised and computerised world, your competition has tech skills.

Getting PCs into the hands of kids gives them a chance.

I'm assuming that parts of Africa will be the next India (Nigeria's economy is obviously already partly "e-commerce"-based... )

[analogue SPRINKLES]

I still don't see any poor kids turning into Mr or Ms. computer expert of Zimbabwe because they used an ebook reader instead of paper.

[analogika]

I thought we were talking about computers, not luxury appliances.

[PB2K]

the olpc is a project bound for failure. they forget they are dealing with corrupt developing countries, and that if you sell the same gadget worldwide, it will just be transported back home for the western market. like they do with medicine and food too

[mdc]

Originally Posted by mduell 

$75 estimate from the OLPCtards... convert to reality and that's $150.

Eh, still cheaper than a Kindle.

Even that, $150 for a dual touchscreen device seems far too cheap. But then again, maybe in two years time prices will have dropped and we'll be looking at dual touchscreen devices like they were 2009's device.

I agree with everyone though, I can't imagine that handing out computers to under privileged children in third world countries is going to help them too much.

[MacosNerd]

The idea of the OLPC is that they'll be learning with it, but the reality of it, there's better less expensive tools to educate children in impoverished countries. I think that might be one reason why there has not been many third world countries lining up to buy the computer.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by analogika 

(Nigeria's economy is obviously already partly "e-commerce"-based... )

Fun factoid of the week.

-t

[Jawbone54]

Ooo...I kinda want one.

[Randman]

Those kids are just holding out for an iPod Touch.

[Salty]

I confess I thought OLPC was a good idea when I first heard about it, but progressively I'm beginning to think these people are on crack.

[turtle777]

Pfff, crack for every child (CFEC). I'm all for it.

-t

[subego]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Pfff, crack for every child (CFEC). I'm all for it.

I think you're talking about Leave No Crack Behind.

[turtle777]

Yeah, that, too.

-t