OLPC XO-3: third time’s the charm?

With much lower fan fare OLPC has released it’s latest attempt to bring a educational computer to the world’s children.  The OLPC project has had a series of hits and misses.  The initial release known as the XO-1 was received as a minor success.  The expectations could not be higher — bring advanced computing to the world’s poorest students.

There is much advanced technologies in these devices.  The target goal is under $100 for the 3rd generation device which is projected to ship in 2012.

OLPC received much attention since its launch with the UN, but the release of the XO-2 was scene as a break through that never materialized.  With tough economic conditions and globalized part manufacturing I’m not sure OLPC will be able to ship a tablet device by 2012 but boy I would sure want them to succeed.

I believe OLPC and its supporting research groups have made a huge impact in the computing world.  Before OLPC there were no netbooks….Negroponte’s vision has already created a new marketplace.

The one real miss was the Sugar OS.  Sugar was designed for children yet due to the marketplace and influence of Microsoft, OLPC has adopted Windows as a supported OS.  I will never be convinced that children need to learn Microsoft Windows in order to use a child-friendly learning device.

Tags: OLPC, $100 computer, XO-3, tablet, open source, globalization, trends