NextBillion.net - Development Through Enterprise - IT Hardware Activity

Municator PC with Godson CPU

_Alex Bloom — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:48:32 -0500

Managing Organization: YellowSheepRiver / BMX Semiconductors / China Academy of Sciences

Activity URL:

http://www.yellowsheepriver.org/company.html

Activity Description: A Chinese company has developed an inexpensive Linux-based computer as a way to close the "digital divide." YellowSheepRiver's $150 "Municator" is available now and claims to have performance akin to Pentium III-quality; it is also compared to MIPS's four-way superscalar R10000 processor, which shipped in 1995.
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Whereas the MIT One Laptop Per Child models offer an LCD display and no harddrive, the Chinese model offers an external 40GB USB drive and an S-video cable to support television hook-ups.

IICD: International Institute for Communcation and Development

_Alex Bloom — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 11:42:50 -0500

Managing Organization: International Institute for Communcation and Development

Activity URL:

http://www.iicd.org/

Activity Description: The International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) is an independent, non-profit organization that assists developing countries to realise locally-owned, sustainable development, by harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs). IICD works with its partner organisations in (currently nine) selected countries, helping local stakeholders to assess the potential uses of ICTs in development.

iT free computer by Asiatotal

_Alex Bloom — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 10:21:39 -0500

Managing Organization: Asiatotal

Activity URL:

http://www.asiatotal.net/index.html

Activity Description: iT is a portable computer developed by Asiatotal for poor people to have greater access to knowledge, education, and social and economic opportunities. The computer connects to the internet and also comes with a printer, USB card reader, and other peripherals.

These computers will be distributed free of charge, owing to the fourteen hotkeys (e.g. "health," "money") on the keyboard that take users to sponsor sites.

i-Shakti

_Alex Bloom — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 16:47:04 -0500

Managing Organization: Hindustan Lever Limited

Activity URL:

http://www.hllshakti.com/sbcms/temp15.asp?pid=46802261

Activity Description: i-Shakti is a program that promotes connectivity and communication in rural Indian villages by means of internet kiosks. Users of these kiosks, once registered, can receive helpful audio-visual information pertaining to health, education, agriculture, and other services. These kiosks are run by villagers for villagers to encourage local entrepreneurship. Like its predecessor program Shakti, i

Macedonia Connects

John Paul — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:42:33 -0500

Managing Organization: Academy for Educational Development (AED)

Activity URL:

http://www.mkconnects.org

Activity Description: With the support of USAID’s Last Mile Initiative, Macedonia has become the first all broadband wireless country in the world. In a country almost completely covered by mountains and where 42% of the population lives in rural areas, all of the schools have been connected to the Internet. As a direct result of the project, access to the Internet will decline from $125 USD per month to $15-20 USD per month.

Infineon Ultra Low-Cost Mobile Phone

_DTE Intern — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 14:03:05 -0500

Managing Organization: Infineon Technologies, AG

Activity URL:

http://www.infineon.com/upload/Document/cmc_upload/documents/012/1591/bp2-fl.pdf

Activity Description: Infineon Technology, a semi-conductor chip manufacturer based in Munich, Germany, has designed a chip that will enable mobile-phone handsets to cost under $20. Worldwide, there are currently about 1.8 billion mobile phone users. Infineon's initiative is targeted at the estimated 3.5 billion people living in areas with mobile phone coverage who cannot afford their own mobile phones. India, which has an estimated two million new mobile connections added every month, would be one of the key markets for this new ULC platform.

Simputer

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:44:54 -0500

Managing Organization: Simputer Trust

Activity URL:

http://www.simputer.org/

Activity Description: The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man. It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer. The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio. The Simputer meets these demands through a browser for the Information Markup Language (IML).

Solo Transportable Computer

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:44:53 -0500

Managing Organization: ExpLAN Computers, Ltd.

Activity URL:

http://www.explan.co.uk/solo/

Activity Description: ExpLAN Computers, Ltd. has developped an ultra-low power, transportable computer designed to operate from a number of different power sources including solar panels and lead-acid vehicle batteries. Its ultra-low-power design enables it to be used indefinitely away from sources of mains electricity. The Solo is designed to be assembled and supported by manufacturing companies based within developin

Terra PC

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:44:53 -0500

Managing Organization: Via Technologies, Inc.

Activity URL:

http://www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/empowered/

Activity Description: As part of the VIA pc-1 Empowered Connectivity Initiative, Via Technologies, Inc. expects to release the Terra PC in Fall 2005. Priced at USD 250, the Terra PC is designed for BOP consumers on a community-based, shared access model, with a focus on communication, education, and information.

SKS Smart Card Project

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 09:44:44 -0500

Managing Organization: Swayam Krishi Sangam

Activity URL:

http://www.sksindia.com/TechnologyAtSKS.htm

Activity Description: Swayam Krishi Sangam is a microfinance organization working through a community-owned grameen (village) banking program that provides poor women with loans for both income-generating activities as well as for emergencies. Through a grant from the Consultative Group, SKS has begun an initiative to introduce smart cards and hand-held computers at the village level. The Smart Card Project will revolutionize microfinance by overcoming a major problem for microfinance institutions (MFIs) - the high cost of delivering financial services to the doorstep of the poor.