Intel joins One Laptop Per Child initiative
Originally, people called it the $100 laptop project. Until, of course, the laptops couldn’t seem to get any cheaper than $175. A more fitting name, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), has now become more commonplace, and is also bringing unlikely allies together for the initiative. Intel has just signed on to the project, although specific details of the relationship haven’t been determined. They join competitor AMD, which as been a partner for a while, and has been supplying their Geode processor for these laptops designed for students in developing countries. Intel already has a similar initiative, called Classmate, that it hopes to sell in conjunction with OLPC, and in future years, allow the two lines to be "more complimentary." With around $100 million being spent by Intel annually on educating the children of 3rd world countries, executives still felt they could be doing more. "How could we make that more impactful and reach more children?" Will Swope, vice president and director of corporate affairs at Intel, asked. The answer, he said, was to join OLPC.
If they could only deliver the product on time or at least closer to the price range they initially stated. Joining frces doesn’t mean co-operation, but who knows this is a great cause and both companies seem highly motivated so let’s wish them the best of luck.
Well, they can. The cost is projected to hit $50 per machine in 2009. Read about it here:
http://www.olpcnews.com/use_cases/business/olpc_product_roadmap_financing_.html
Why does one have to be in the ‘developing world’ to gain access to an OLPC? Why aren’t these machines available here in the USA? There are numerous kids HERE that could gain from such a device. I’d love to see these distribted throughout classrooms all across America. *sigh*
@ axios – I totally agree with you. We should be taking care of the children at home before worrying about the children in other countries…