Laptops Versus Netbooks Versus Tablets in Schools

As an mobile tech enthusiast and avid iPad user, you can forgive me for believing tablets have a great future in education. For anyone else, I have to remember that not everyone has embraced tablets like I have and that laptops in general are what students turn to write their papers, conduct research, or get online.

But the time will come, probably as early as this year, when educators and students will be at the crossroad where they’d have to choose their mobile weapon of choice: laptops, netbooks, or tablets?

Bill Gates Was Right About Cell Phones Being

I remember a couple of years ago, Bill Gates made a bold declaration that cell phones were be the computing tool of choice for hundreds if no billions of people around the world.  Of course, that statement was made under duress as OLPC's XO seemed to have all the momentum in pushing into the hungry minds of millions of third world children in search of education and a better life.

Okay, this is Bill Gates after all so I'm guess he has a glimpse into the future most of us don't and he probably knows what he was talking about.  That was in January of 2006.  Well, perhaps that day is almost here.

Perhaps eventually, it'll be a variant of an Android-based phone.  Microsoft could give away Windows Mobile to Africa's children with a cheap but powerful mobile device.  Might even be an iPod Touch.  Or OLPC might be developing a Sugar based handheld with touch controls as you're reading this.

For some in Uganda, that is happening to a degree now.  The Grameen Foundation has partnered with Google and a local telecom to allow users access to information via SMS queries.

Why SMS?  Most of the phones there are still simple cell phones with SMS capability.  We're not talking about smartphones yet.  But work is being done to create apps that allow information to be shared with the mobile users in Uganda and perhaps elsewhere.

An user simply texts a query.  It gets sent to a database where then a likely answer is then sent back to the user with the information being sought.  Also, a "Failed-Over Center" will collect queries that yield no relevant information to be analyzed in order to provide better services in the future.

Source:  CNet News

It's not the same as the OLPC or even what Bill Gates had envisioned but I'm sure we'll get there in Africa and other third world nations soon.  Progress will not be denied and Onxo will continue to keep an eye on what OLPC and other programs  are doing to bring mobile tech to the poor and the opportunities they generate.

OLPC, Mac OS, Windows, And Security

When I named this blog, it was mainly to generate  interest and focus on the OLPC.  Alas, there really has not been as much progress as I would have liked.  A lot has changed in the two years since the XO was unveiled and much has happened between the first shipping of the XO and today.

What has happened?  Netbooks has made great in road into the hearts and minds of consumers in economic trouble, Intel's Atom chips, Apple's Macbook rise, and lower priced but powerful mainstream Windows laptops.  And so, I changed focused a bit for "On XO". 

I started talking about general wireless issues, mobile gadgets and smartphones, and editorials on where I think our wireless society will evolve into. 

So, when I stumpled across this post at Appleinsider, a traditionally pro-Apple and rumor site, about Apple's hiring of a OLPC insider, Ivan Krstic, his criticism of the OLPC project (must read), his work on security, and hints of what his work may be with Apple, it really brought me back to think about why the XO isn't as big as it should be, broken promises, and squandered opportunities.

Along with the AI article and Krstic's critical post of the XO development, we gain a good idea of good intentions that went bad, where things stand today in OS and security development, and where we are headed. 

Both posts are recommended reads.  At the end of the day, I hope OLPC's 2nd generation XO works as advertised and continue to drive mobile innovation for children all over the world.

Note:  Krstic, after years of using open source software, has switched to OS X.  His contribution to Apple will bring new innovations in security not just for Macs and the iPhone platform but others as well.  Innovation.  Competition.  Great combo, don't you think?  And at the end of the day, we mobile warriors win.

Wide-Spread SSD Deployment in 2009?

While many of us who watch Steve Jobs and Apple, among other companies and mobile characters, mourn the passing of an annual event where Mac faithfuls gather in SF for the Macworld keynote, it was at Macworld 2008 that Steve introduced to us the Macbook Air with a 64GB of SSD as its main storage.

Now, Apple is by no means the first company to put an SSD in its laptops.  XO and EEE PC all came out with SSD as their storage.  I think even Dell also had SSD options for its laptop lines.

Then 32GB and 64GB.  The 64GB option from Apple originally cost $1000.  Today, Apple is offering the 128GB option for $500.  Half the price and double the storage.  Now, Toshiba is offering a 512GB SSD option with 240MB a sec read and 200MB a sec write.  Oh, did I mention that its suppose to last over a hundred years?  I wonder what the warranty will be like.

Speed, sturdiness, and power efficiency are all why SSD will likely play in important role in future laptops and mobile devices.  Not only that, it's a backup option making its way into servers as well.  In recent tests by some blogs, the speed and power efficiency are not quite there yet but for studiness alone, it's worth it.

Besides, it's a natural evolution from regular hard drives.  With SSD prices dropping so fast, I'm willing to call 2009 year of SSD.  A cursory check of some online stores show a big drop in SSD prices.  Some are low enough (but nowhere near the price of regular HD) that it is an option for people who are data worth protecting.

Now, I'm not saying SSD drives will overtake regular HD in 2009.  But I certainly do see more SSDs offered as an option.  Besides, with the recession...anyway.

Here are just some examples:

• 32GB - $75 and up
• 64GB - $135 and up
• 128GB - $249 and up
• 256GB
• 512GB - From Toshiba.  No price yet.  Samples will be available for testing in Q1.  

What do you think?  Is there an SSD in your future?

Via Electronista, Toshiba

Mobile Tip: Extending Laptop Battery from Mac OS X Tips

Alright, so the tip came from a Mac and Apple centric site but the underlying technology for laptop batteries is about the same for everyone.

We've done mobile battery tips on Onxo in the past and now, this site has given us one with clear explanations and how we can extend battery life.  You have no idea how much I baby my batteries.  From my Powerbook to the MacWind to my iPhone and G1.  Oh, and the XO too.

I've done a few battery and energy posts in the past and most of the time, it comes down the fact that batteries are not self-sustaining.  What do I mean by that?  It means after a few hundred cycles, your battery start to loose its original capacity.  There simply is no way to bring it back up to where it once was.    Retaining 80-90% of a battery's original charge after 300 or so cycles as most batteries are capable of doing these days is still quite good but I simply don't like to lose those minutes.  It just bugs me.

So, the best thing is to do what you can take care of your batteries, be it mobile devices like your iPhone or laptop.  Take a look at this worthy article.  A lot of the settings they talk about are for the OS X but there are similar functions on Windows too.

Via Mac OS X Tips

Laptop For Students Picking Up Steam

http://www.liliputing.com/2008/09/venezula-orders-1-million-classmate-pcs.html Okay, last year's OLPC's Give One Get One program was a dud.  I was a part of it and it took nearly three months for my XO to be shipped to me.

I'm still out on whether I'll be participating in this year's program but I have more confidence in this year's program will be an even greater success (it's a relative term when it comes to OLPC at this).  Who so you ask?

First, Amazon is involved.  They'll be running the thing.  The cost should be $399 to make it attractive to donors.  So, how does this work and what are you talking about donors?  Well, the laptop costs approximately $200 but the cost is nearly double that because when you participate in the G1G1 program , you will get a laptop and donate another.

Your donated portion will be tax deductible.  That laptop will go to a child in a third world nation like Mongolia or something.

Second, Windows XP will be the default OS in this year's XO.  It's easier to use than XO and familiar to millions of users already.

The program will commence on Nov 17.

Not to be outdone, Intel's Classmate received an one million units order from Hugo Chavez, you know, of Venezula.  With all that petro money we send them, it's nice to see him spend a bit of that on the children, whatever your political feelings about him are (he doesn't like us Americans...in case you're wondering what I'm talking about).

Regardless of which camp you support, I'm glad to see XO and other educational laptops being picked up.  Now, if some of that $700 billion bailout can include a bit of goodness for our students, I might just call my...nah...


Source on XO:  Engadget
Source on Classmate:  Liliputing

G1G1 '07 Lessons for 2008

G1G1 2008

Let's be honest. The success of last year's program, G1G1 2007 was unprecedented despite receiving very little coverage in the mainstream media. After all, how many products out there can compete with the iPod, Wii,Xbox 360, and PS3?

So, what do we want to see this year? How can the whole program be improved to avoid the pitfalls of last year?

Hits and Misses

I don't want to get into the negatives too much. Rather I want to sumerize the misses and hope that the lessons of those have been learnt and OLPC will embark on an improved G1G1 2008.

The program was announced in October of 2007 and on day one, November 16th, ordering started as XO-philes poured into the site (personally, I didn't participate until December 17th). The program was to end on December 31, 2007. Initially, the enuthiasm of a Christmas Day XO opening enticed many to beat the rush. Everything was set to make sure the XO would be in the hands of thousands of children (of all ages) by Christmas Eve.

Millions of dollars were donated. Expectation after so many years of e-commerce experience may have allowed users such as myself to expect a timely ordering process. Unfortunately, the entire experience was far from perfect.

Missteps soon took hold. Delays in the manufacturing surfaced and demand was greater than anyone at G1G1 expected. A plethora of complaints were posted on various sites ranging from simple neglect, lost orders, changing personnels, and incorrect shipping dates and addesses.

To top it off, in January, a G1G1 spokesperson pleaded for more patience as they reportedly found additional unfilled orders. Keep in mind, most if not all of the funds for the donations have been collected. Paypal accounts and credit cards were charged. Mine was charged on December 31th, probably to make the 2007 donation deadline for tax reporting purposes.

Eventually, mine arrived in February, about two months after the order date. There were donors who were provided March shipping dates.

No one seem to have a clear picture of what was going on behind the scene. If anyone claims otherwise, I would take it with a grain of salt. I don't even think the G1G1 volunteers themselves know. However, I do commend their effort and time in making G1G1 possible.

Now, what does the G1G1 have to do to make sure 2008 will not be like 2007? I have a few suggestions.

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate. Most of the donors are enthusiastic about the laptop. We can be very understanding. We were giving very little information until January, and most donors relied on media speculations and rumors that ran rampant in the rumors.

OLPC has had a successful G1G1 despite having all of the problems I described. Instead of giving us specific dates, be more conservative with the number of units that can be shipped and more liberal with the leadtimes.

One thing you have to say about Apple, whether you're a fan or not, is that they don't ship anything until they're Steve Jobs ready. We are fans of gadgets, education, or whatever the reasons donors are excited about OLPC and the XO laptop, we will wait. Do more testing before making any kind of announcements.

Build up a little inventory for 2008. Now, you're certain there is a lot of demands for it. It might be smart to introduce the XO to more donor nations.

Also, how about G1G1 Summer 2008 instead of late fall? The program can shoot for the back-to-school rush. Then, there won't be a preceived deadline like Christmas Eve was.

Sell accessories. I'm in the market for another battery. Maybe another AC adapter. Buy one battery, donate another?

Also, how about $300 instead of $400? G1G1 was a terrific idea. Hats off to whoeveer thought of it. Now, it'll be another year before G1G1 2008 happens again. Most financial experts don't think the economy will improve until 2009. Times are tough. I think even donating half a laptop is a deal. Plus, it could bring in a whole lot more donors. $100 is a big deal.

I've got other ideas for G1G1 2008. Now, I am sure there are other great ideas out there on how OLPC can expand and make the XO an even greater success.

Paul on XO

Looking to really see how good these super light and  subcompact laptops from then likes of EEE PC and the XO from One Laptop Per Child.

I don't have the EEE PC but I ordered an XO from last year's G1G1 promotion.  After exerting some hands on pressure on OLPC, I finally received it three weeks ago.

Can these little guys compete with their bigger cousins, the true and tried laptops?

One usability test I want to employ is how I can rapidly move information around. E-mails, documents, contacts, and appointments.

Furthermore, it may even change how I will be working since the XOis limited the slow processor and limited memory and storage on the XO.