One laptop at a time

A prominent group of U.S. computer developers claims it can close the ‘digital gap’ between the children of rich and poor countries. The way to do it, declares the project director for One Laptop per Child, is with a small but powerful $130. machine designed for school children in the Majority World.

The device, due out in 2007, will allow users, even without electricity, to communicate with their schoolmates and anyone else around the world via wireless internet. The plan, with support from Kofi Annan, is to get various countries to purchase in bulk, followed by free distribution to children. So far, Brazil, Egypt, India, and several others have expressed interest.