One laptop per child, but it won't have dual touchscreens
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
The founder of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project revealed in a recent interview that the XO-2 project, which would have featured dual touchscreen functionality, has been scrapped, but that further development will continue on the XO-1.75 and XO-3 projects.
The XO-1.75 is a simple update of the company's existing XO-1 device, which uses Linux to provide a highly economical option for cash-strapped schools around the world. Compact computer website Liliputing reports that the decision to halt development of the XO-2 was expected, as the company is facing financial shortfalls.
Development of the much more ambitious XO-3 continues, however. OLPC says that the XO-3 will be a single-sheet design, a quarter of an inch thick and costing $75, according to Nicholas Negroponte, the OLPC chairman. The device would be truly groundbreaking - and would require state-of-the-art device and display drivers - but it is not expected until 2012.
The OLPC project says that it has provided over a million low-cost XO-1 computers to students around the world, aiding education and the spread of technology.