One Laptop Per Child has introduced its new low-cost and low-power tablet computer at the International CES 2012, the granddaddy of all consumer electronics shows, which is getting underway in Las Vegas.
The XO 3.0, a tablet manufactured in partnership with Marvell Semiconductor—which has also teamed with the nonprofit One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) group to produce low-cost laptops for students in developing nations—has designed the device to stand up to wear and tear typical of classrooms, as well as the power needs of students who live in the developing world.
The tablet is the only such machine to date that is can be powered by solar panels, a hand crank, and other sources besides a conventional power outlet, according to a press release. It will also include a choice of tablet covers (one with a solar panel built in) as well as operating systems (between Android and Linux), and a screen that allows for increased readability in sunlight.
Tablets have been wildly popular among educators at home and abroad ever since Apple’s iPad has been on the market. The XO 3.0 will attempt to build on that momentum for educational tablets, as well as the success of its own line of laptops in reaching 2.4 million students in 42 countries, figures from OLPC show.
The devices will be produced for specific orders and take about five months to complete, according to the video below shot at CES by ARMdevices.net. The price will depend on the quantity a country or other consumer orders, but could dip below $100 per device with enough volume, numerous reports have suggested.
XO machines from OLPC’s efforts have been influential in movements to go 1-to-1 in many developing countries, including in Uruguay, which launched a nationwide 1-to-1 laptop initiative several years ago.