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Gigabyte announces plans to launch low-cost computer in June
Another day, another promise of a low-cost computer, this one coming to us from the prolific folks at Gigabyte. According to DigiTimes, Gigabyte will be building its system itself (unlike its UMPCs and MIDs), and it'll be basing it on Intel's Basic Platform (otherwise known as Shelton). It'll also apparently pack a 7 to 9-inch LCD, which would seem to suggest that it's a laptop (which Shelton is also used for), although DigiTimes only describes the system as a "PC." Unfortunately, there's no word on what it'll cost, or any other details for that matter, but it'll apparently be ready by June of this year, by which time it'll likely have an even harder time to stand out from the budget-priced pack.
Mitac reportedly planning a low-cost PC of its own
Details are pretty light on this one, but according to DigiTimes, Mitac is teaming up with MIND (we're assuming the embedded Linux firm) to enter the low-cost PC market, a move that some are speculating could have repercussions for the OLPC Foundation. Apparently, one of the key factors pushing Mitac in this direction is Asus's recently launched Eee PC, which would seem to suggest that it's a laptop Mitac has in mind, although that hasn't yet been made entirely clear. OLPC gets roped into the mix because Mitac is apparently aiming the PC at children aged 3-12, which "some notebook makers" are speculating could cause OLPC to "rethink its strategy" about only targeting emerging markets. All of this is obviously still in the early stages, however, so we doubt that OLPC is losing too much sleep over it just yet.[Via TG Daily]
Rwanda joins the fray, getting "hundreds of thousands" of OLPC XOs
Here's an idea: just release these OLPC XOs to every country in the world and be done with it. Sadly, that isn't likely to happen, but at least Rwanda is joining the growing list of countries ready to get their palms on the green machines. According to OLPC, Rwanda will be receiving "initial test units and technical support at no cost within a few days." After Quanta ramps up production in July, the nation expects to receive "hundreds of thousands" of the wee laptops late this summer at an "initial cost" of $150 apiece, with future units expected to cost a bit less. Rwanda's government, of course, is footing the entire bill, and hopes to actually provide a computer to "all primary school children within five years." So for any school-aged Rwandans out there itching to crank up Doom or surf the net on Opera while disregarding those grammar and arithmetic lessons, your countdown can officially begin.
KT and Microsoft develop $200-$300 "managed PC"
Korea's largest telecom company KT recently announced that it has partnered with Microsoft to develop a low-cost "managed PC," although the level of Microsoft involvement is unclear beyond, we'd presume, providing the software. Unlike other low-cost PC initiatives from Intel and, of course, the OLPC, KT's effort looks to primarily be a network-based thin client, which'll give users access to a variety of applications and multimedia content when connected to KT's servers. KT is also touting the security benefits of the PC, which it says will be less vulnerable to viruses and whatnot since all the management is done at the server side. Unfortunately, that's about all KT seems to be saying about the device; we don't even know whether it's a laptop or a desktop, let alone what sort of specs it has. (If we had to guess, we'd estimate it's probably a chunky CRT with an anemic networked embedded box and ports enough for your basic input devices.)
Intel's Eduwise low-cost PC revealed
The freaktastic, not-so-altruistic battle between Negroponte, AMD, VIA and Intel to bring low-cost PCs to developing nations just hotted-up with the formal unveiling of the Eduwise by Intel CEO Paul Otellini at the World Congress on Information Technology. The $400 device announced a few months ago in Brazil, sports "light-blue accents" and "snaps shut like a purse" -- perfect for students and teachers on a tight-budget with a sense of flair -- runs Windows or Linux, and ships pre-loaded with special software allowing students and teachers to interact through shared presentations and test administration over the Eduwise's built-in WiFi. The Eduwise will be available "next year" via the usual outlet of PC manufacturers who'll no doubt tweak this reference design a bit. Of course, Intel had to take the spotlight opp to blast a shot across the bow of the $100 OLPC with Otellini saying, "nobody wants to cross the digital divide using yesterday's technology." Yeah, nor should they have to harvest a kidney to avoid crossing the classroom for a little one-on-one, eh? Man, we haven't seen this much selfish generosity since Atlas shrugged.[Via Sagags]
