OLPCv2 - dual screen Ebook reader for $75 !

[b0rsuk]

The big news is that OLPC founder Nicholas Negrponte has just unveiled the design for the foundation’s second-generation laptop, which isn’t really a laptop at all but a double-screened, fold-up electronic book.

(...)

Negroponte says the cost of this 2nd-generation device, which uses dual-touch screens with 16:9 aspect ratios, will be kept to $75. (Compare that to the $188 cost of the foundation’s current first-generation XO laptop.) Costs will be kept down in part by using screens built for portable DVD players, which are rapidly coming down in price, Negroponte says. “The reason you can have the audacity to do this is that the 16:9 displays on DVD players are so inexpensive that to anticipate them costing $20 each is not out of the question,” he says.

(...)

Negroponte said the foundation plans to bring out the second-generation device by 2010. By that time, he added, the cost of the original XO Laptop will also have been brought below $100.

http://www.xconomy.com/2008/05/20/ne...its-an-e-book/

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

http://www.xconomy.com/2008/05/20/ne...its-an-e-book/

I assume it will be Sugar free too. Didn't the guy who designed and devlop the Sugar OS leave the OLPC foundation to start his own dealio?

BOb

[b0rsuk]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I assume it will be Sugar free too. Didn't the guy who designed and devlop the Sugar OS leave the OLPC foundation to start his own dealio?

BOb

That's all I know. What makes me happy is that on one photo you can see one touch screen made into a keyboard. This means some advanced input. The only thing I'm worried about:

screens built for portable DVD players

What does it mean ? Not e-paper, right ?

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

What does it mean ? Not e-paper, right ?

I would say, that is NOT eInk but color LCD. Although perhaps it could be transreflexive screen so it could be read in sunlight as well as darkness.

BOb

[Alisa]

Here are some pictures from the write up I saw on Gizmodo.

[Ramen]

Very cool but my neighbour can eat his arm if they get anywhere near that price with a proper quality device and proper OS+BIOS.

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

I would say, that is NOT eInk but color LCD. Although perhaps it could be transreflexive screen so it could be read in sunlight as well as darkness.

BOb

The current OLPC uses a screen has a monochromatic mode for daylight usage. Presumably the screens that this uses will be the same.

The only problem I see is that two screens means more power drain, and two touchscreens mean even more power drain. Seeing that the OLPC was intended for developing countries, wouldn't the added drain make it less practical?

[wallcraft]

These are the dual indoor-and-sunlight displays, as on the existing XO-1 laptop.

The target total power consumption is quoted as 1 watt. The XO-1 was supposed to need 2-3 watts, but it actually needs more (5-8 watts?).

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

These are the dual indoor-and-sunlight displays, as on the existing XO-1 laptop.

The target total power consumption is quoted as 1 watt. The XO-1 was supposed to need 2-3 watts, but it actually needs more (5-8 watts?).

No, these are "proposed" to be dual indoor-outdoor displays. We've not seen any in real use. Heck, until we can order them for development purposes, they barely qualify as "not vaporware".

I like the concept of a full-color, touch-sensitive, indoor/sunlight display that draws less than 1 Watt of power, but until I or others can actually *purchase* one, I'll hold off on jumping up and down with excitement.

(Yes, I *did* ask the people at Pixel-Qi if I could buy a couple of panels.)

Derek

[WillAdams]

The one article I read noted that the project would be leveraging off quantities of scale for screens used in small portable DVD players (expecting them to get down to $20 ea.) --- anyone know what sorts of screens are available? I've seen LCDs, but have often wondered if there were any w/ OLEDs.

William

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by WillAdams

The one article I read noted that the project would be leveraging off quantities of scale for screens used in small portable DVD players (expecting them to get down to $20 ea.) --- anyone know what sorts of screens are available? I've seen LCDs, but have often wondered if there were any w/ OLEDs.

William

Certainly not at that price.

Dale

[b0rsuk]

From what I've heard - OLEDs are a bit overhyped. They're a promising technology, but currently notorious for burning out rather quickly. They're still looking for new materials to make them more durable.

[Ervserver]

Looks promising, maybe this will light a fire under Dell to make less expensive laptops

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by b0rsuk

From what I've heard - OLEDs are a bit overhyped. They're a promising technology, but currently notorious for burning out rather quickly. They're still looking for new materials to make them more durable.

They're also highly succeptible to damage from water.

[formulajay]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

No, these are "proposed" to be dual indoor-outdoor displays. We've not seen any in real use. Heck, until we can order them for development purposes, they barely qualify as "not vaporware".

I like the concept of a full-color, touch-sensitive, indoor/sunlight display that draws less than 1 Watt of power, but until I or others can actually *purchase* one, I'll hold off on jumping up and down with excitement.

(Yes, I *did* ask the people at Pixel-Qi if I could buy a couple of panels.)

Derek

Have to agree with you on this point. The original OLPC XO laptops were projected at being just under a 100USD and ended up costing 188USD to produce. They were then offered to the general public under a "get one give one" program, so we did could not see them for at least 400USD. I would imagine that something very similar is going to happen with the second generation XO laptops.

Also, given the fact that these are expected to become a reality in 2010, e-ink technology is surely going to improve with time, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect cheaper, faster, better, "greener", and more durable ebook readers by then.

Just take a look at what ASUS was able to do. Shortly after the XO laptop became available they released a sub-notebook with a processor that is twice as fast, twice the amount of ram, twice the storage space, and sell it commercially for 299USD. I wonder what it costs them to make it. Granted it does not have the dual-purpose screen.