 The ‘XOXO’ laptop (successor to the ‘XO’ laptop), part of the ‘One Laptop Per Child ’ project, is a folding tablet designed with two hinged touch screens. This enables the product to act as a book, a tablet, a board for games and as a laptop. Being smaller and lighter than its predecessor and the size of your average textbook, the XOXO is practical and easy to carry, particularly for youngsters. Designed for developing countries, this laptop will provide the children with learning opportunities that we take for granted. Wireless access to the web through the Linux operating system, a library of books and a fully integrated colour camera as well as being compatible with Windows, these laptops are groundbreaking and life changing for the Developing World.
The creation of this laptop is a proactive approach to potentially solving the education problems that are affecting the development of the Third World. These problems being the poor quality and inadequate standards of education these children are subjected to. Nirj Deva, Member of the European parliament states;
“It is only through access to education that young people will be able to develop the skills necessary to compete globally and to develop the solutions required to break the cycles of poverty, disease and malnutrition.” It is evident that if these children had the means to reach a level of education on par with or close to that of the developed world, they would be able to attain higher standards of living, which would then facilitate the development their countries. Quite frankly, I am tired of seeing egotistical design after egotistical design. Everybody seems too busy, trying to make the most “visually interesting” or “controversial” product, “cooler” and more “unique” than the next guy, that it really makes you wonder whether or not anyone gives a damn about people who really NEED products. Who NEEDS a chandelier made with Swarovski crystals? No one bloody needs one! If you’re going to design something to better the world, then I salute you because you are one in too many who has a heart. On the other hand, if you are all about the aesthetics and not the function, if your product is produced as a result of your ego, then piss off! . These laptops have truly been designed with the real world in mind, in considering everything from extreme weather conditions to technological issues such as local-language support. As a result the product is exceptionally durable, energy efficient, stupendously responsive, marvellously functional and fun. Although the original XO laptop pushed boundaries, the XOXO is far more radical. It is soon to be produced for $75 as oppose to $188 due to technological advances.
The primary ambition of the XOXO is to further reduce the costs of production, making it more affordable to Third World bulk buyers as well as evolve innovative learning concepts. This will present even the most poverty stricken areas with the opportunity to reach their true potential through investing in these pioneering inventions. The driving force behind the XO range of laptops, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), are a non-profit organisation that are looking to revolutionize the way in which the children of the Third World learn. Providing them with extraordinary tools and, in effect, brighter futures. OLPC have worked indefatigably with industrial designer, Yves Behar to achieve a product that truly has the consumer in mind. Yves Behar , an established entrepreneur, designer, businessman and founder of ‘Fuseproject’ describes his basic philosophy of design:
“Our methodology is about building contents and ideas, designing from the inside out, rather than applying a style or visual signature to everything we touch.”
Together, designer and founders have provided well over two thirds of the world with the chance to move forward in life through the opportunity to learn, an understated luxury. This laptop is brilliant! The whole wide world can benefit! Donate your spare change, and don’t be stingy. It’s unattractive
“Standing still is a reliable recipe for going backward.
Any nation's most precious natural resource is its children. We believe the emerging world must leverage this resource by tapping into the children's innate capacities to learn, share, and create on their own. Our answer to that challenge is the XO laptop, a children's machine designed for “learning learning.” - OLPC |
