olpc

OLPC showing location of features.

One Laptop per child (olpc) is an effort to provide ruggedized learning computers to children in third world countries.

Overview

The first product, shown on the right, is called the model XO. It uses Evince as its primary reading tool for PDF and several other formats. But, since the XO runs Fedora Linux other readers and formats are likely to be present as well such as FBReader.

The hardware platform used in OLPC could be a great eBook reader platform as it supports a monochrome display mode of 200 bpi as well as a lower resolution color mode using a 7.5" screen.

Applications

It uses components from Red Hat's Fedora Core 6 version of the Linux operating system.

There are five programming environments on the laptop:

• (1) Python, from which we have built our user interface and our activity model;
• (2) JavaScript for browser-based scripting;
• (3) Csound, a programmable music and audio environment;
• (4) Squeak, a version of Smalltalk embedded into a media-rich authoring environment; and
• (5) Logo.
• There is also some support for Java and Flash.

Applications will include:

• a web browser built on Xulrunner, the run-time environment used by the Firefox browser;
• a simple document viewer based upon Evince
• the AbiWord wordprocessor
• an RSS reader,
• an email client, chat client, VOIP client; a journal;
• a multimedia authoring and playback environment;
• a music composition toolkit, graphics toolkits, games,
• a shell, and a debugger.

The eBook Reading environment will initially include Evince as the primary reader focusing on PDF support and scanned images. It will take advantage of the high resolution monochrome mode and the ability to rotate the screen and fold it back over the keyboard making the unit look more like a hardware eBook reader.

Specifications

Physical dimensions:

• Approximate dimensions: 242mm×228mm×32mm;
• Approximate weight: 1.45KG with LiFeP battery; 1.58KG with NiMH battery;
• Configuration: Convertible laptop with pivoting, reversible display; dirt- and moisture-resistant system enclosure; no fan.

Core electronics:

• CPU: x86-compatible processor with 64KB each L1 I and D cache; at least 128KB L2 cache; AMD Geode LX-700@0.8W (datasheet);
• CPU clock speed: 433 Mhz;
• ISA compatibility: Support for both the MMX and 3DNow! x86 instruction-set extensions; Athlon instruction set (including MMX and 3DNow! Enhanced) with additional Geode-specific instructions;
• Companion chips: PCI and memory interface integrated with CPU; North Bridge: PCI and Memory Interface integrated with Geode CPU; AMD CS5536 South Bridge (datasheet);
• Graphics controller: Integrated with Geode CPU; unified memory architecture;
• Embedded controller: ENE KB3700 or ENE KB3700B;
• DRAM memory: 256 MiB dynamic RAM;
• Data rate: Dual — DDR333 — 166 Mhz;
• 1024KB SPI-interface flash ROM;
• Mass storage: 1024 MiB SLC NAND flash, high-speed flash controller;
• Drives: No rotating media;
• CAFE ASIC (Camera, Flash Enabler chip, provides high-performance Camera, NAND FLASH and SD interfaces); Marvell 88ALP01: (CAFE specification).

Display:

• Liquid-crystal display: 7.5” Dual-mode TFT display;
• Viewing area: 152.4mm × 114.3mm;
• Resolution: 1200 (H) × 900 (V) resolution (200 DPI);
• Monochrome display: High-resolution, reflective sunlight-readable monochrome mode; Color display: Standard-resolution, Quincunx-sampled, transmissive color mode;
• LCD power consumption: 0.1 Watt with backlight off; 0.2–1.0 Watt with backlight on;
• The display-controller chip (DCON) with memory that enables the display to remain live with the processor suspended; the display and this chip are the basis of our extremely low power architecture; the display controller chip also enables deswizzling and anti-aliasing in color mode.

Integrated peripherals:

• Keyboard: 80+ keys, 1.0mm stroke; sealed rubber-membrane key-switch assembly;
  • Keyboard layout details;
  • Keyboard layout pictures: international, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, West African, Urdu, Mongolian, Cyrillic, Amharic;
• Gamepad: Two sets of four-direction cursor-control keys;
• Touchpad: Dual capacitance/resistive touchpad; supports written-input mode; ALPS Electric Dual capacitive/resistive touchpad;
• Audio: AC97-compatible audio audio subsystem; internal stereo speakers and amplifier; internal monophonic microphone; jacks for external headphones and microphone; Analog Devices AD1888 and Analog Devices SSM2211 for audio amplification;
• Wireless networking: Integrated 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) interface; 802.11s (Mesh) networking supported; dual adjustable, rotating coaxial antennas; supports diversity reception; capable of mesh operation when CPU is powered down; Marvell Libertas 88W8388 controller and 88W8015 radio;
• Status indicators: Power, battery, WiFi (2); visible when lid is open or closed; microphone in-use and camera in-use visible when lid is open;
• Video camera: integrated color vision camera; 640×480 resolution at 30FPS; Omnivision OV7670.

External connectors:

• DC power: 6mm (1.65mm center pin) connector; 11 to 18 V input usable, –32 to 40 V input tolerated; power draw limited to 15 W;
• Headphone output: Standard 3.5mm 3-pin switched stereo audio jack;
• Microphone input: Standard 3.5mm 2-pin switched mono microphone jack; selectable 2V DC bias; selectable sensor-input mode (DC or AC coupled);
• USB: Three Type-A USB-2.0 connectors; up to 1A power supplied (total);
• Flash expansion: MMC/SD card slot.

Battery:

• Pack type: 2 or 4 cells LiFePO4; or 5 cells NiMH, approximately 6V series configuration;
• Capacity: 22.8 Watt-hours (LiFePO4); 16.5 Watt-hours (NiMH);
• Fully-enclosed “hard” case; user removable;
• Electronics integrated with pack provide:
• Identification;
• Battery charge and capacity information;
• Thermal and over-current sensors along with cutoff switch to protect battery;
• Minimum 2,000 charge/discharge cycles (to 50% capacity of new);
• Power management will be critical.

BIOS/loader

• Open Firmware used to load the operating system.

Environmental specifications:

• Temperature: UL certification planned to 45C in Q32007, pending 50C certification in mid-2008;
• Humidity: UL certification planned to IP42 (perhaps higher) when closed, the unit should seal well enough that children walking to and from school need not fear rainstorms and dust;
• Maximum altitude: –15m to 3048m (14.7 to 10.1 PSIA) (operating), –15m to 12192m (14.7 to 4.4 PSIA) (non-operating);
• Shock 125g, 2ms, half-sine (operating) 200g, 2ms, half-sine (non-operating);
• Random vibration: 0.75g zero-to-peak, 10Hz to 500Hz, 0.25 oct/min sweep rate (operating); 1.5g zero-to-peak, 10Hz to 500Hz, 0.5 oct/min sweep rate (nonoperating);
• 2mm plastic walls (1.3mm is typical for most systems).

Regulatory requirements:

• The usual US and EU EMI/EMC (Electromagnetic Interference and Compatibility) requirements will be met;
• The laptop meets IEC 60950-1, EN 60950-1, and CSA/UL 60950-1 specifications. It also complies with UL 1310 and UL 498. In order to guarantee the safety of children using the laptop, it also passes ASTM F 963;
• The external power adapter complies with IEC, EN, and CSA/UL 60950-1;
• The removable battery pack complies with IEC, EN, and CSA/UL 60950-1 and UL 2054;
• RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive – EU) compliant.

The XO2

The XO2 will be the second generation machine designed specifically for educating the world's children. It features dual-touchscreens, a smaller and lighter form factor, and even better power efficiency. One touchscreen can serve as the keyboard when needed.

XO Tablet

The XO Tablet

OLPC worked with Vivitar/Sakar and other partners to bring our expertise in child education to the educational & retail markets. The XO Tablet comes with over 150 applications pre-installed, along with several videos and over 100 books.

OLPC has organized this content into Dreams to match the aspirations of children 3-12 years old. Each dream features a potential career and related applications organized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill sets.

Parental controls allow parents to add additional children, and control children's access to applications as well as the Internet. A reporting interface allows parents to see which dreams their children tend to be interested in.

In addition to its child-friendly mode, the XO Tablet is a Google-certified product, and provides parents with access to the Google Play Store as well as the traditional Android user interface.

Child friendly eBook reading app is preloaded.

XO Tablet Specifications

• CPU: 1.6 GHz Dual-Core Processor
• RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 8 GB
• Screen: 7" 1024 x 600 touch screen
• Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n connectivity
• Camera: 1.3 MP Front & 2.0 MP Rear cameras
• Input/output: Headset, MicroSD, Micro USB, and Mini HDMI I/O ports
• OS: Android 4.1 operating system
• Built-in parental controls
• battery life: 7.5 hours
• Dimensions: 7.59 x 4.72 x 0.39 inches
• Weight: 1 lb.
• Manufacturer: Vivitar

See One Laptop Org for more information.

For more information

• http://laptop.org/
• http://wiki.laptop.org/
• http://pixelqi.com/ - the display used in this unit
• http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Ubuntu_Intrepid_for_the_XO - Instructions for installing Ubuntu 8.10 customized for the OLPC, if a more traditional OS and GUI are desired.
• Ultra-cheap_sub-notebook_matrix - technical comparison with other sub-notebooks
• http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO-2 Their next generation eBook Reader.