We have all heard about the endless problems OLPC is having with its shipments. However, an email sent to one of our own stated that the production schedule is “still on track” and that the laptop he ordered is expected to be delivered “by the middle or the end of March.” This comes despite the fact that the laptop was purchased at the last possible minute. Did anyone else who ordered an XO receive a similar email recently, or is your order still in limbo?
Mary Lou Jepsen, the XO laptop’s designer and OLPC’s CTO, split from the project a little over a week ago to “commercialise” some of the tech she developed for the project—the display in particular—through a for-profit venture, Pixel-Qi. Probable result: a new generation of OLPC competitors from commercial outfits. But it gets better! It’s come out Pixel-Qi’s aiming to completely undercut the OLPC with a 75 dollar laptop.
Okay, we remember how far OLPC spiralled way past its $US100 laptop goal. So how can XO’s designer—who should know as well as anyone the difficulties involved in cranking out uber-cheap machines—except to slash 25 per cent off a price OLPC couldn’t touch?
*We brought you news about OLPC’s Give 1 Get 1 initiative previously. Under the scheme, buyers will purchase a XO laptop for $399, and included in the price will be the cost for a second laptop, which will be donated to a third world child on the consumer’s behalf. To back the plan, T-Mobile shall be offering one year’s complimentary Wi-Fi HotSpot access for those participating. We think that this is a great offer, as HotSpot access for a year would normally cost $359.98 on its own. Now you can grab a XO laptop for yourself / buddy in a third world country and bag T-Mobile HotSpot access for a whole year for an extra $40.01, only. That’s (kinda) a XO laptop for $20! The buyers will be sent the details for HotSpot access once they have made a qualifying purchase. Good on T-Mobile. Well done—keep it up, chaps. [Businesswire]
