InfoWorld

OLPC to launch touchscreen XO-2 laptop in Q1 2010

<div class="rxbodyfield"><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The One Laptop Per Child ( <a target="_blank" href="http://laptop.org/">OLPC</a> ) association plans to launch the upcoming second generation of its low-cost XO laptop in the first quarter of 2010, according to an official from the group.</p><p align="right"><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/idg.us.info.rss/news;pos=imu;tile=6;sz=336x280;skey=patch_management;pkey=security;ord=123456789?" target="_blank" /><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/idg.us.info.rss/news;pos=imu;tile=6;sz=336x280;skey=patch_management;pkey=security;ord=123456789?" width="336" height="280" border="0" alt="" align="right"/></a></p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The <a target="_blank" href="http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO-2">XO-2</a>, an update to the original XO laptop that's designed for low-cost computing for kids in developing nations, will carry two 16-inch by 9-inch touchscreens and eschew a keyboard. It opens like a book and can either be held vertically for reading, or horizontal for laptop computing. When used horizontally, the bottom touchscreen displays a keyboard for typing.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">[ See the related stories<a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/09/04/OLPCs_dual_boot_Linux_Windows_laptop_due_out_soon_1.html?source=fssr">OLPC's dual-boot laptop due out soon</a> and <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/09/04/Amazon_to_sell_OLPC_XO_laptops_1.html?source=fssr">Amazon to sell OLPC XO laptops</a>. And get the latest on mobile developments with InfoWorld's <a href="http://www.infoworld.com/newsletter/subscribe.html?source=fssr">Mobile Report newsletter</a>. ]</span></b></p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The new design is based on the fact e-books are a necessity for schools and should make reading easier.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">"The e-book reader is the most popular function of the laptop," said Matt Keller, director of Europe, Middle East and Africa at OLPC, in an interview Wednesday.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The XO-2 was announced in May, but with scant details beyond a general 2010 time frame for its roll out. The new device will improve upon the XO, which has captured the world's imagination as a way to lower the cost of putting computers in the hands of kids throughout the world, thereby narrowing the gap between modern and developing nations in terms of computing expertise.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The XO currently costs around $203 or $204 to make, said Keller, while the XO-2 will likely cost around $80.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">OLPC's Web site says the goal of the project is to reach a price of $75 per laptop for educational buyers.</p><p page="1" class="ArticleBody">The key technology behind the new laptop is the touch screen, which is being developed by Mary Lou Jepsen at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pixelqi.com/">Pixel Qi</a>. The company says it already has several screen manufacturers interested in building its screens.</p></div>