Intel and OLPC ready to work together?

As you may have noticed, Intel and Nicholas Negroponte's OLPC Foundation haven't exactly been getting along, with the two not only competing against each other, but even going so far as to take their spat to the national TV level. Now, however, it looks like the two might possibly be ready to put their differences behind them, at least according to a report by BusinessWeek. While details are unsurprisingly light, the magazine says that the two "may be ready to bury the hatchet," and that Intel and OLPC execs are now "in talks regarding how they can work together." Still pretty low on the likelihood meter to be sure, although, as we've seen lately, anything can happen.

[Via The Inquirer]

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:04AM]

Yes, but can they run Doom together?

[Blake @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:15AM]

I fail to find the humor in Doom jokes.

[kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:31AM]

are you telling me both are incapable of producing a laptop that doesn't look like it's coming from Fisher-price?

How will the students from third-world country learn if we treat them like 4 yr olds?

[L. Cyphre @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:38AM]

A lot of them are 4 year olds though.

[Zach @ Jul 2nd 2007 12:06PM]

The OLPC product is being produced mainly to help education for third world children.

[Earl @ Jul 2nd 2007 12:14PM]

Wow, I never realized before now how small they were...

[Aaron @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:12PM]

I think the Intel one looks better and less like a Fisher Price toy. If they would just change the color from that so tired beige (charcoal gray? black? anything buy neon green) it would like more like a "real" sub compact notebook.

It can't be that expensive to add a little color to the molding.

Just my opinion.

[Aaron @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:15PM]

That's what I get for trying to post before the boss walks over.

"I think the Intel one looks better and less like a Fisher Price toy. If they would just change the color from that so tired beige (charcoal gray? black? Anything but neon green) it would look more like a "real" sub compact notebook."

:S

[rudebo @ Jul 2nd 2007 1:21PM]

i think this limbo is pathetic they should sign contracts and get them out allready
both seem to be using the project as a pr tool to show off their great humanitarian side ... sigh ... :(

[Zach @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:10PM]

not true, OLPC is a true humanitarian effort. Intel thinks their making in roads into a new market. Intel is also screwing with OLPC cost projections. Making this things affordable right now is dependant on big sales. Intel is screwing that up.

If you want furture proof of the motivation behind the OLPC, think about this. They do plan to sell in the US, but only if you purchase two. One for yourself, and one for a child overseas.

[Bosco @ Jul 2nd 2007 3:26PM]

Competition is a bitch, huh? Negroponte wants all the benefits of our free market system on his supply side but wants a monopoly in his market. And I'm sorry, but that hand crank thing is just plain demeaning. No wonder even Hugo Chavez wants to do something different.

[Solomon @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:16PM]

I think green looks great. In the countries of intended use, brush metal 'hi-tech' look is not widespread or popular. And, mind you, it is a children's product. And, the colour makes it easier to identify.

[surflizard @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:18PM]

OLPC wants to design and sell a laptop to the third world, and isn't interested in western consumers. Intel wants to work with partners to make a computer everyone wants, but that's affordable enough for third world distribution. My money is on the Asus Eee and other Intel designs that let everyone play. Competition is good.

[Stephen Brown @ Jul 4th 2007 6:07PM]

The OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) programme is a great idea, as it will expose more kids to computers. OLPC will help children in developing countries around the world. But it will also change the world of laptops forever. The marketpace will benefit, and I’m sure that every home in the developed world will have one. What is becoming clear is that the OLPC is a not the solution but a starting point for development. This project needs to be handled in a sensitive way. Different needs and cultures must be addressed properly. Only then will the OLPC project be a success. Right now is an exciting time for technology, particularly mobile technology covering laptops, mobile phones and PDAs. Also the web and they way they all work with the web. I get my laptops and peripherals from Portable Universe and I can thoroughly recommend them. The best thing for people to do is to talk to them, let them know what your needs are (both current and future) and they will come up with the best laptop for you. I also get blank DVDs there for my backup.
http://www.portableuniverse.co.uk

[lory @ Feb 3rd 2008 11:01PM]

Verizon is about the only place you can get the authentic RIM product and matching door. Most other sites are out of stock and even when they are in stock they have the black battery door which looks like crap. http://www.batteryfast.co.uk
I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batteryfast.com

[lory @ Feb 3rd 2008 10:58PM]

Verizon is about the only place you can get the authentic RIM product and matching door. Most other sites are out of stock and even when they are in stock they have the black battery door which looks like crap. http://www.batteryfast.co.uk
I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batteryfast.com

[battery @ Feb 3rd 2008 11:00PM]

Verizon is about the only place you can get the authentic RIM product and matching door. Most other sites are out of stock and even when they are in stock they have the black battery door which looks like crap. http://www.batteryfast.co.uk
I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batteryfast.com

[lory @ Feb 3rd 2008 11:00PM]

Verizon is about the only place you can get the authentic RIM product and matching door. Most other sites are out of stock and even when they are in stock they have the black battery door which looks like crap. http://www.batteryfast.co.uk
I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batteryfast.com