From Cnet: Kamen gave a talk at the Lux Executive Summit here about science and innovation. But he had a clear ulterior motive: convince a room full of technologists to address the “chilling” need for more scientists and engineers to solve the world’s worsening problems. Kamen said that addressing the basic needs–such as water and… Continue reading Dean Kamen Urges Innovators To Help Solve The World’s Problems
Category: Digital Divide
Google Invests In Satellites To Help Bridge Digital Divide
This one is filed under digital divide: O3b’s service should be activated by late 2010 and provide speeds of up to 10G bps (bits per second) to other areas including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. O3b plans to launch 16 MEO satellites, which can send data anywhere between a 45-degree angle north… Continue reading Google Invests In Satellites To Help Bridge Digital Divide
OLPC Makes It To India
It was a disappointment when India didn’t show any interest in the OLPC, but it looks like the non-profit has made considerable progress in the country with some local help: Two years later, Negroponte is back to open a new office in New Delhi and launch the OLPC program in India on Aug. 4. Despite… Continue reading OLPC Makes It To India
Using “White Space” Airwaves To Address The Digital Divide
An article from Washington Post about a handful of tech companies, including Google, that want to use white space airwaves to provide broadband to rural areas. Engineers from the technology heavyweights, including Motorola and Philips, lugged their laptops, antennas and other equipment to parks, homes and high-rises around the Washington area, hoping to prove to… Continue reading Using “White Space” Airwaves To Address The Digital Divide
Microsoft Plans To Join OLPC
There’s been lots of drama with OLPC but hopefully the non-profit can work through it and make some progress with their new partner Microsoft: The alliance between Microsoft and O.L.P.C. comes after long stretches of antagonism, punctuated by occasional talks, between the two sides. Mr. Negroponte, a former computer researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of… Continue reading Microsoft Plans To Join OLPC
Classmate PC To Begin Selling In US And Europe
Link to News.com. Intel plans on expanding the distribution of its inexpensive, school children-friendly Classmate PC to U.S. and European retail outlets, according to a Reuters report on Wednesday. The Classmate will sell for $250 to $350, Lila Ibrahim, general manager of Intel’s emerging market platform group, told Reuters. Apparently Intel has already been conducting… Continue reading Classmate PC To Begin Selling In US And Europe
Google.org Provides Guidance
DotOrg officials said they had decided to spend the money on five initiatives: disease and disaster prevention; improving the flow of information to hold governments accountable in community services; helping small and medium-size enterprises; developing renewable energy sources that are cheaper than coal; and investing in the commercialization of plug-in vehicles. Link to NYTimes article
A Step Back For OLPC- Intel Pulls Out
According to the Wall Street Journal, Intel has pulled out of the One Laptop Per Child partnership, citing disagreements with founder Negroponte. “We’ve reached a philosophical impasse with OLPC,” Mr. Mulloy said. He added that Mr. Negroponte had demanded that Intel stop selling its own-designed laptop, known as the Classmate, in developing countries and stop… Continue reading A Step Back For OLPC- Intel Pulls Out
T-Mobile Helps OLPC
T-Mobile is participating in a pretty neat marketing program for the OLPC where if you participate in the buy one give one program, T-mobile will give you a year’s worth of their hotspot service for free. “T-Mobile believes in helping people stay connected to those who matter most in their lives. The Give One Get… Continue reading T-Mobile Helps OLPC
New Developments for OLPC and Intel’s Classmate PC
Here are some important updates on what’s going on with the OLPC and the Classmate PC. First, it looks like Nigeria has selected Classmate PCs running Linux for a nationwide pilot in their country. The article (via slashdot), offered by the linux company supplying the operating system, discusses how 17,000 computers will be provided in… Continue reading New Developments for OLPC and Intel’s Classmate PC