OLPC XO-1.75 Laptop to Get a Touch Screen
The OLPC XO now seems to be on track to get a touch screen.
The non-profit organization has signed a licensing agreement with Neonode to use the company's "MultiSensing" touch technology to be used in the OLPC’s XO-1.75 laptop, which will be called the XO Touch.
The XO Touch is said to be a hybrid device - a laptop and a tablet - that uses a 7.5-inch, sunlight-readable display, which rotates 180 degrees and folds flat over the keyboard for tablet/e-book or game mode. Embedding the Neonode MultiSensing touch solution will allow OLPC to build a completely new type of rugged laptop-tablet that is extremely fast, cost efficient and energy saving, offering full visibility in bright sunlight.
The Neonode MultiSensing technology consists of a state-of-the-art interactive touch user interface that includes gestures, multi-touch, and sweeps at a scanning speed of 1000 Hz. Thanks to the energy efficient engineering, consuming just 2W, the XO Touch can be powered through alternative power generators like solar cells or even hand cranks.
Rodrigo Arboleda, OLPC CEO said in a statement: “OLPC is proud to partner with an organization that shares its appreciation for innovative and transformative technology. Neonode’s expertise in engineering and design will turn the XO Touch, which combines the best features of laptop and tablet, into a next-level innovative machine.”
OLPC is currently taking orders for the XO-1.75. The organization claims that more than 2.5 million XO-1 and XO-1.5 laptops have shipped so far. There was no new information on the availability of the XO-3 tablet.
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Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.
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dffeitlstp It is disappointing that this project has not succeeded in America, where schools pay $1000 a pop for low end MacIntosh computers that offer little more than an OLPC in functionality. Over two million have been distributed worldwide. I can't believe schools wouldn't want to explore the possibilities with a cheap laptop that is functional and ruggedized for kids. It just can't be because it doesn't have an x86 processor or it's not a Mac...Reply