Third time's a charm: OLPC notebook now called XO

Now we love hugs and kisses as much as the next guy -- wait, that didn't come out right -- but when it comes to naming computing devices that will be used by millions of children worldwide, we think that the esteemed Nicholas Negroponte could have come up with a better one for his beloved machine than "XO." Like CM1, for instance. Or 2B1. Oh wait, those names for the string-powered OLPC notebook have already been tried and discarded -- NickNeg may be a whiz at marketing "The Children's Machine" to developing countries, but it seems that he could still use a lesson or two in branding. For the third time in only two months, the product-formerly-known-as-the-hundred-dollar-laptop has undergone yet another name change, with Fortune's senior editor now referring to it as the XO -- a title so new, it hasn't even made it to the OLPC wiki page yet. No explanation is given as to why this device has undergone such an unusual number of rebrandings -- especially for a non-commercial product -- and we imagine that more than a few people are getting confused by the habitual changes in its specs and titles. Still, the major issue here is not what it's called but what it could be able to achieve -- well that, and avoiding anymore price hikes, because if these little wonders get much more expensive, Qadaffi and friends might be better off buying a Dell, dude.

[Via OLPC News]

[Scott @ Oct 24th 2006 11:40AM]

Was this to memorialize Elliott Smith? XO was his breakthrough album from 1998 and his best work in my opinion.

Anyway I still want one of these things... whatever they're called.

[NNTPgrip @ Oct 24th 2006 11:46AM]

I'm sure those kids will be happy when they get this thing instead of food that week. At least they could use the string to hang themselves. This idea is DOA.

[Scott McLellan @ Oct 24th 2006 12:13PM]

NNTPgrip don't be so small minded.

Of course food and medicine are needed desperately in the third world, but just sending them supplies doesn't solve anything. This project is aimed at educating and hopefully enlightening the younger generation. Truthfully only they can help trigger and end to the cycle of poverty and violence.

Hopefully the cost is pushed down with the help of government subsidies, etc....but that's unlikely.

[slyecho @ Oct 24th 2006 1:20PM]

NNTPgrip,

Yes, we all know everyone in the third world lives in mud huts while having no medicine or something to eat.

[JonCamfield.com @ Oct 24th 2006 1:17PM]

...just sending them supplies doesn't solve anything...

But just sending them laptops will? Remember that the minimum order for these things is 1 million units. Even at $100 each, that's a USD $100MM budget item, which is not a figure to laugh at if you're already a debt-strapped developing nation. And then what do you get? Your country, which has just paid out $100MM, gets a million laptops. They won't distribute themselves, they won't automatically train teachers and community leaders, they won't automatically create Internet connections. Sure, the idea is for a device for children to self-teach, the old "fire" theory of education, but I posit that some structure, some mediation and guidance will be needed, or these will mostly end up gathering dust, or on the black market. So on top of that $100MM, you still need to create some ways to encourage diffusion and usage of the laptops - some training (probably training of trainers, who then go out and train more), creation and support of local "communities of practice" for cross-training/self-help among peers, and some locally relevant content and a distribution method for said content. Textbooks, music, movies, children's stories/production; these are inherently network devices and benefit greatly, exponentially even, from increased network size - even if that network is a 28.8kbps GPRS connection or a sneakernet.

Don't get me wrong, I think the OLPC guys have done a fantastic job at developing a machine that's useful in developing-world situations (I've done ICT and Dev work, I've seen many of the challenges, and the OLPC addresses an impressive swath of them), but this attention to detail can't stop when they roll off the production line, there has to be a diffusion strategy that's tailored to country- and local- situation-specfic challenges and opportunities.

[Colin @ Oct 24th 2006 12:14PM]

OLPC = CM1 = 2B1 = OX = POS

[maff @ Oct 24th 2006 12:28PM]

2B1 was better, reminded me of 2-1B medical droid!

[Sloth @ Oct 24th 2006 12:57PM]

I actually follow the project's progress on [url=http://www.0xdeadbeef.com/weblog/]Christopher Blizzard's page[/url] and the [url=http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Home]OLPC Wiki[/url] and things are looking good, it's amazing to see the weekly changes, and seeing the Sugar interface coming together.

[Revoluter @ Oct 24th 2006 1:27PM]

It's strange, but "XO" means "Get out", in portuguese! :) hahahaha

[wayan @ Oct 24th 2006 1:42PM]

Jon,

They're $208 per laptop with implmentation according to the Libya deal: http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/libya/one_laptop_per_libyan_child.html but if you calc those numbers for Argentina or worse, Nigera, its budget-busting no matter what you count. One laptop per Nigerian child would be 73% of the entire government budget! http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/nigeria/olpc_in_nigeria_budget.html

Maybe is was supposed to be $0, instead of XO, all that's left in the government budget after an OLPC purchase.

[Aaron @ Oct 24th 2006 2:51PM]

For those of you that scorn NickNeg's "mission" here, I suggest that you are looking at this very wrong. First, if it is so important to get "them" food instead of doing something else, what are you, personally, doing to get them food? Or are you doing "something else" with your resources? If you have a pet, then you are spending money on some animal while children around the world are starving. How atrocious! (If analogy does not apply, you can find something that fits.)

Yes, food, medicine, and basic education are extremely important but not everything we do HAS TO BE the highest priority. Again with the animal analogy: (this is true) I used to scorn the activity of people that ran animal shelters when there are CHILDREN that need sheltering. While children ARE more important than animals, I eventually realized not everyone has to be in the specific "business" of sheltering children, and the animal-shelterers are doing something good. Maybe not the "most important" thing, but they see a need in the world and they are seeking to address it. NickNeg sees a need in the world and he is seeking to address it. Maybe not the most important need, but it is good, and it may have potential to help a lot in long run.

Another thing is that it is the governments' responsibilities to decide if this is a good way to use their resources. In other words, if you scorn, do so towards Libya for actually doing this to its people, not Negroponte for simply offering them an opportunity.

Lastly, there are already numerous world-wide organizations (such as World Vision) that focus on providing the basic needs-for-life in poverty stricken countries. And they make it very easy for people like you and me to participate.

I hope you see my point; cheers!

[Eh @ Oct 24th 2006 4:28PM]

Why dont they just release the damn thing already?

If they dont release it sooner than later theyre probably just going to say screw it and market it for kids in the USA at a $300 price tag, with Dora the Explorer games.

[William @ Oct 24th 2006 5:38PM]

My question is this: when will countries start getting these in stock and put them on eBay so I can buy one?

[Michele @ Oct 24th 2006 6:24PM]

XO is also the internal name of the Macintosh Classic, I'f I'm not wrong... A tribute to Apple that offered MacOSX?