Kapil Sibal’s not resting after the explosion of interest that followed the initial launch of the $60 Aakash education tablet. He’s now pushing to get the rebadged DataWind Ubislate 7 into the hands of students free of charge, rather than the $35 they currently pay. The plan is to offer a 50 percent government subsidy for each unit, with education institutions fronting the other half, but only if inclined to do so. He’s also pushing for the tablet to be manufactured domestically rather than imported — hoping that the comforts of home will enable it to spread nationwide. See? We got through that without making any “cash” puns.

$60 Aakash Tablet to cost no-cash? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It remains to be seen if they’ll be the big game-changer in education that Google hopes they will be, but the company is making some progress at getting its Chromebooks into schools. The latest push is a deal with three US school districts, which will see some 27,000 Chromebooks land in the hand of students in Iowa, Illinois and South Carolina. As CNET reports, South Carolina’s Richland School District Two is making by far the biggest investment of the lot, ordering 19,000 Chromebooks that will be used as part of a three-year program for students in the third through twelfth grades. As for Google itself, it still isn’t being too specific on the total number of Chromebooks now being used by schools, noting only that “hundreds” of schools across 41 states are using them in at least one classroom.

Google strikes deal to bring 27,000 Chromebooks to US schools in three states originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When word first reached Microsoft that the open-source community would hack the Kinect, the company’s response was pretty heavy-handed: “Microsoft does not condone the modification of its products,” a rep told CNET, pledging to “work closely with law enforcement and product safety groups to keep Kinect tamper-resistant.” But now that Kinect mods blow our minds on a near-daily basis, Redmond has changed its tone. Microsoft’s Alex Kipman told NPR Science Daily listeners that as far as the company’s concerned, the Kinect hasn’t actually been hacked thus far, and that Microsoft actually left the camera’s USB connection unprotected “by design” to let the community take advantage. Though he and fellow Microsoftie Shannon Loftis wouldn’t commit to official PC software drivers for the device, he did say that the company would “partner sooner rather than later” with academic institutions to get the hardware doled out, and suggested that some universities started playing with Kinect even before its commercial launch. Read a transcript of the pertinent section of the podcast after the break, or listen for yourself at our source link starting at the 18:22 mark.

[Thanks, Fred T.]

Continue reading Microsoft: I’m a PC, and Kinect open-source drivers were my idea

Microsoft: I’m a PC, and Kinect open-source drivers were my idea originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Received an email this morning with news I am pretty excited about!

We use a darlek metal trolleys in our college so this new dell unit is looking pretty Shmick.

Running Altiris with this bad boy trolley and entourouge will make life a lot easier; just waiting on the price :S

Dell delivers industry’s firsts with 10.1 inch netbook designed for education

· DellTM believes every child should have access to the world of knowledge beyond the classroom

· The new LatitudeTM 2100 is influenced by the needs of K-12 students – ‘student rugged’ design offered in five colors with wireless connectivity that can be monitored by educators with a network activity light

· Optional touchscreen is a first for education netbooks

· The Latitude 2100 will also appeal to other public-sector and enterprise customers looking for a netbook for uses from employee training to order fulfillment, or wanting secondary systems for their workforce

· Backed by Dell’s award-winning business-class service and support – including standard onsite services

SYDNEY, Australia and AUCKLAND, NZ, May 19, 2009 – Dell believes every child should have the opportunity and tools to learn the skills necessary to succeed in the digital world. Critical to this is the availability of technology designed for the unique needs of K-12 students, teachers and school administrators. Today, Dell set a new standard in education technology with the launch of a netbook influenced by the needs of K-12 students, the Latitude 2100. The Latitude 2100 is also ideal for any business or public institution that needs an affordable, durable Internet-ready device for email and collaboration.

Inspired by close cooperation with hundreds of students, teachers, parents and administrators, Dell designers created a purpose-built education netbook that focuses on what’s most important – learning. The Latitude 2100 is part of Dell’s connected classroom ? innovative technology products, services, software and training that make learning in the digital age a reality. With the Latitude 2100, students can access enhanced learning resources and digital content on a school network or via the Internet. As a result, the Latitude 2100 blends into student life, from lesson plans to homework, increasing time spent learning versus managing technology.

The Latitude 2100 has unique features for schools like bright primary colors and a more rugged, ‘rubberised’ design that is easier for children to carry and use safely. It also offers wireless connectivity that can be monitored by the teacher with a Network Activity Light on the netbook lid. An optional touchscreen is a first for an education netbook and makes the Latitude 2100 a perfect choice for enhanced student interaction, assessment, and for special education teaching. The Latitude 2100 also offers administrators a range of services making it easier to deploy and manage.

Additional options include: solid-state drives, quick-connect handles and shoulder straps for carrying, and a webcam. The Latitude 2100 is backed by Dell’s award winning business service and support.

The Latitude 2100 extends Dell’s Latitude range and joins the Latitude XT tablet and semi-rugged Latitude ATG as systems designed to meet the exacting needs of customers across a range of private and public-sector organisations with specific mobile computing requirements. Enterprises and public -sector customers looking for a business-class netbook will be attracted to the Latitude 2100 for activities ranging from employee training to order fulfillment or when a secondary system is required by their workforce.

The News:

· The “student-rugged” Latitude 2100 is designed to absorb the daily bumps and bruises of a crowded playground or backpack. Offered in five colors – School Bus Gold, Chalkboard Black, Ball Field Green, Blue Ribbon and Schoolhouse Red– the Latitude 2100 comes with a 10.1-inch screen and a unique “four-square-ball-style” rubber casing, making it easy for little hands to grip the netbook.

· The system is available with a personalised window on the back of the battery pack where the school logo or name can be displayed, allowing schools to personalise or easily identify systems.

Equipped with a wireless communication suite and optional webcam, the Latitude 2100 enables productive days filled with collaboration, exploration and easy uploading of assignments. A Network Activity Light on the lid helps teachers monitor network use and identify students who may be surfing the Internet.

· The Latitude 2100 also includes:

o Choice of XP Home, Vista Home Basic and Linux Ubuntu

o Intel Atom processor N270

o 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity coupled with a full suite of wireless communication options

o 2.91lb* (1.32kg) starting at weight with 3-cell battery

o Hard or solid state drives for increased durability

o Three-cell or six-cell battery

o Three-in-one Media Card Reader

o Optional External DVD+/-RW via USB

o VGA port

o Clean bottom is vent-free to avoid any intrusion from spills

o Options: webcam

· Key management features can allow IT administrators to lower overall ownership cost and speed up deployment:

o More durable design that means a longer product life

o Remote management for easier administration

Quotes:

“The Latitude 2100 shows that Dell thinks about, cares about, and designs products with education in mind,” said Paul Bell, president of Dell’s global public sector division. “This system is an extension of our efforts to support educators as they transform technology access in classrooms worldwide. We will continue to respond quickly to their needs and work with governments to deliver technology that modernizes education, excites students and arms them with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.”

“Dell is setting a new standard for netbooks with the Latitude 2100.” said Jeff Morris, Dell’s Sydney-based APJ director of Commercial Client products. “The Latitude 2100 is a purpose-designed netbook for students. In addition to being popular with education institutions, we also expect the business-class design features of the Latitude 2100 to interest other public institutions and private enterprises as it delivers a unique offering to the netbook market.”

The system is available from 20 May in ANZ. More information is available at www.dell.com/latitude.

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