The gap between technology usage in rich and poor countries is huge. However, the XO – also know as the $100 laptop – aims to help educate children in third world countries, harnessing the technology we have.
It was over 5 years ago that the concept first appeared. So 5 years on where is the $100 laptop now?
On the surface it looks like it may not be going very well.
- Currently it doesn’t cost $100, it costs $199. Not just a little bit more but double the target cost.
- 2 years ago they were hoping by 2008 they would have 100million. So far only 600,000 orders have been made. A long long way off.
- Along with other problems with hardware and infrastructure many people have forgotten about the project and it has slipped into the media archives somewhat.
So at the moment things aren’t looking good. However, what is next for the $100 laptop?
- OLPC have teamed up with Amazon
to promote the “Give one, get one” program where you pay and one laptop is for a child in the third world country and you also get one for your own child. Getting Amazon involved can only be a good thing.
- OLPC are expanding so they have more officers in more countries.
- A new release is scheduled for 2010 which should help put the spotlight back on the program.
- The new version will cost only $75, a massive improvement and way below the $100 target!
- The new version will be dramatically improved with the device being smaller but with a bigger screen. It will also use less energy and be more hardwaring.
So there is no doubt that in 2010 things will change massively. At the moment the whole project isn’t even close to where they want to be. But what is next for OLPC is very exciting!
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Image: OLPC
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December 1st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Over the weekend I saw a commercial on broadcast TV promoting Amazon’s “give one, get one” promotion with OLPC. Maybe the introduction of mass advertising will heighten the visibility of the program.
December 5th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Yes I think partnership with Amazon is a very good idea. I wasn’t aware they were doing TV commercials though, maybe they are gearing up to gain more exposure ahead of the 2010 laptop release?