Inspired by a popular TV Computer sold in stores across India, Derek Lomassuggests that a lower-end solution on the technology spectrum be just the ticket for bringing computers to the masses.
As Eric Lai of ComputerWorld noted, these so-called TV Computers are essentially clones of the original NES/Famicom — so similar that they can read the cartridges. The project brings up some interesting ideas, especially considering the furor caused recently when a misquoted article suggested that the Indian government was prepping a $10 laptop for children. It turned out to be $100, an order of magnitude higher.
That’s often simply too high a price for third world governments and citizens to pay, and as the tv computer plugs directly into a television set, much of the cost is already taken out of the equation. With such simple hardware, it stands to reason that development costs would be cheaper, as well, leading to greater adoption of the platform.
A major issue with the One Laptop Per Child project was the cost; the originally-$100 laptop ended up costing twice as much.
Project website
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