OLPC XO-2 to include multitouch and possibly haptic screen from PixelQi

PixelQi, an OLPC project spin-off headed by Mary Lou Jepsen, certainly has its work cut out for it with the OLPC XO-2, due in 2010. Not only is the laptop supposed to support dual touchscreens and consume a mere 1 watt of power, but Mary Lou is also promising better readability, multitouch, and potentially even pen usage and haptic feedback. Interestingly, the projected price for the laptop is $75, which is exactly the pricepoint PixelQi claimed to be working on when it split from the foundation. She remains coy on which OS the new laptop will favor, merely stating: "The display can use whatever software OLPC chooses." As for partners outside of OLPC, Mary Lou won't name names, but she says PixelQi is "working with large, tier-one laptop, cell phones, and e-book makers." Forget 2010, give us a full color e-book tablet by the end of the year and we'll forget all this XO nonsense entirely.

[Sime @ May 27th 2008 7:47PM]

yeah sure...like this is ever gonna be less than $200

[MrFairladyz @ May 27th 2008 8:25PM]

dude i dont care if its less than $200 if it looks as good as it does in the pics ill so bai it!!!!(no, im not a shiny apple product lover, but i do want an ipod touch :D)

[KTL @ May 27th 2008 7:49PM]

They will over promise and fail to deliver, just like last time.

[directive0 @ May 28th 2008 9:33AM]

Are you high? Jepsen delivered huge, her dual mode low power screen was just as promised.

[regbo @ May 27th 2008 7:51PM]

I don't understand why touch screen keyboards are all the rage lately. In my opinion it is a step backwards. A tactical keyboard will always be more useful and functional.

[deyanimay @ May 27th 2008 7:56PM]

true but it takes up space on the device where as touch screen keyboards only pop up when you need them.

[Itsuru @ May 27th 2008 8:01PM]

Touchscreen keyboards can adapt to different layouts and functions dependent on the software. It means they don't have to manufacture different keyboard layouts for different countries too.
I think you have to take this design with a pinch of salt, it's the concept and ideas that are more important than the product itself.
I think it's good the OLPC founders are looking to the future, beats most companies routine of tweaking and refining the product line every few years.

[fred @ May 27th 2008 7:59PM]

"the projected price for the laptop is $75"

Bull F*cking S*it.

[phanbouy @ May 27th 2008 8:06PM]

i doubt that bulls are as scatological as us

[francisco @ May 27th 2008 10:00PM]

yeah if they couldnt hit the $100 mark with the first Gen what are the chances that this will be around $75? Doubtful, since its showing tech that even high end laptops lack. They need a reality check

[hiko36 @ May 27th 2008 8:00PM]

I realize that this is supposed to go to developing countries or children or whatever but I would gladly pay around $300 for a dual touchscreen subnote...

[letstakeawalk @ May 27th 2008 8:21PM]

I second this. A dual-screen feature would be an amazing teaching tool.

[BobTurbo @ May 28th 2008 12:51AM]

I really like that thing in the picture. The blueness is cool. I would pay a lot for it right now actually.

[Leon @ May 29th 2008 3:26AM]

I agree with Paul. A photo of the XO-2 was published in our newspapers in South Africa yesterday and if I would bought one immediately if it was a fully functional tablet. What a wonderful idea and opportunity.

[computernerd00000 @ May 27th 2008 8:00PM]

This is a lost cause. Move on Engadget..

[john @ May 27th 2008 8:12PM]

Wonder what OS it'll run... even if it's $200 (yeah, like it'll ever ship for $75), I'd buy it if they do all of that on Ubuntu. But on Windows? Wont touch it.

[Cal @ May 27th 2008 8:24PM]

quote from the OLPC website-

Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves.

So i guess playing pong on a touch screen qualifies...

[hiko36 @ May 27th 2008 8:29PM]

Hand-eye coordination?

[Kyle @ May 27th 2008 8:35PM]

Hey, trash-talking after a game of pong is the ultimate form of expression!

[the_fozz @ May 27th 2008 9:09PM]

OLPC, from good idea, to poor execution, to vaporware. amazing.

[ddub @ May 27th 2008 9:09PM]

This is right up there with that nutjob's perpetual motion machine from a few weeks back.

[LarryLarryLarry @ May 27th 2008 9:32PM]

Her haircut opens the possibility that "Zohan" is a documentary.

[skulldriveshaft @ May 27th 2008 11:45PM]

That absolutely looks possible.

They did deliver a product before, although missing a projected price.

A dual touch with solar would be the logical next step, very interesting.

Removing the need for buttons and factory layouts is a very important concept for something that is supposed to be used all over the world.

I don't think people would mind if it was a little chunky to begin with, the Nintendo DS has done well for itself, and just got slimmer.

[Wifiguy @ May 28th 2008 12:18AM]

Wouldn't Apple sue the pants off these folks if they put multi-touch in these products?

[Teetdogs @ May 28th 2008 10:07AM]

Why would apple sue over using a well known technology? Do you actually think apple invented multitouch.

[burntpigeonproductions @ May 28th 2008 12:35AM]

This will NEVER come in at 75 bucks..a Nintendo DS is like 130.

[geekazine @ May 28th 2008 2:13AM]

This device doesn't even look like it's gearing for a 3rd world country. For $75, it would be a great machine to keep in the car though. Hopefully theres a USB port on it. I don't know if I want to support a device where there is no way to connect another keyboard.

[meist3r @ May 28th 2008 9:54AM]

Thanks capitalism you've transformed a completely honourable project for child-education into a marketing shitstorm of millenial proportions. This will never cost 75$ in the real world and if so what's the point. OLPC as it was started is dead, change the name for fucks sake. It's not about children anymore (if it ever was). This looks like some yuppie toy that the people who grew sick of their iPhone will buy to boast in front of their friends. Screw that. I don't want to hear those lame attempts of selling me on this shit anymore. The horrid argumentation for the craptacular Microsoft decision was "We want to give people an opportunity to learn skills they can apply in the real world" ... yeah little Jimmy N'ok N'ok from Africa will be sitting in a dual-touchscreen haptical feedback cubicle really soon I guess. No one here has freaking touchscreens for office and other applications or don't I understand what they mean by a "real world environment" (media labs are not the real world :p).

I'm just getting more and more angry.

[ren @ May 28th 2008 10:47AM]

This is a great idea. I doubt it will be under $200. But it is the wave of our future. Imagine making the keyboard go away with an x for more media viewing space. Great idea. It should be implemented for turtle shell cellphones. Even the crease between the hand set and the monitor if we implement the use of yet to be implemented flexible screen technology.

[loujob @ May 28th 2008 12:38PM]

That guy is crazy if he things he will get all that to run on 1 watt of power by 2010. But, I hope he proves me wrong