The XO 1.75 is the latest computers from the OLPC foundation. OLPC France is fortunate to have a preview for a few weeks, a beta of 2 models of this machine. Detailed review of the machine and the changes it brings.

On the XO form is identical to the 1.75 XO XO 1.0 and 1.5 that succeeded it: it's always the little green computer launched in 2007. It thus inherits the same hull as his elders and he incorporates the main elements: same screen dual mode (PixelQi), even rubber keyboard, TouchPad same as the XO 1.5 and even ports (3 USB, 1 headphone, 1 microphone and 1 SD slot).

In fact it is in its internal components including motherboard that XO 1.75 makes its revolution. The XO 1.0 had an AMD processor, the XO 1.5 had a VIA processor. While two were based on an x86 architecture is that found on our PC or Mac. The XO 1.75 it is based on a Marvell processor with ARM architecture is the architecture that supports most of our smartphones and tablets. Advantage of this type of processor: it is cheaper than x86 and they consume much less energy (hence their use on thin clients). Two very important benefits for the XO.

Energy side, while it is too early to have a benchmark full consumption of 1.75 XO. He promises to consume even less than his elders (for the record that are already among the most efficient computer market), we have for example recently saw a 1.75 XO feeding directly (without battery) on a solar panel.

A clock equal power, the ARM processor is also much swifter than equivalent x86 processor. We have performed a comparative test of the starting time of 3 machines: 1.75 XO, XO XO 1.5 and 1.0. The XO 1.75 arrives undisputed leader. Speed ​​also notes that the implementation of various activities and or shutdown.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xnt5rw

Another feature of XO XO 1.75 compared to 1.0, memory storage is provided by the MMC instead of strips welded to the motherboard. The advantage is that its size (from 4GB to 8GB) can be chosen to the command without changing the architecture of the motherboard. The other advantage is that this type of memory is less subject to variations in market prices of flash memory (a very important point as well). On model B1 we have that memory MMC can also be completed via an internal SD card (plus an external SD card on port).

Finally the XO 1.75 features a new component found in some standard on smartphones today: a 3-axis accelerometer. That is to say, a component that detects the orientation of the machine, but a simple gadget that allows already to consider recreational uses in activities. Here a small example game developed with Etoys.

On the software side, use an ARM processor has one drawback: the binary code generated on an x86 processor is not binary compatible with an ARM processor. Fortunately, Sugar, the operating system which powers the XO is based on a GNU Linux Fedora. However, Fedora has been focused not only on x86 but also on ARM processors. Thus, the latest version of Sugar for the XO (11.3.0) which is based on Fedora 14 is fully functional on the XO 1.75, although some settings, being resolved, are still required (driver support specific XO ).

Regarding the different activities developed for previous versions of the XO, they run well for most of the XO 1.75. Indeed, the development language of choice for Sugar is the development language Python is an interpreted language and therefore completely independent of the binary and processor type. Only problem arise activities compiled for x86. During our tests it was the case of activity kiwiX , Oo4kids and RiverHex . Their port to the XO 1.75 will require recompilation or repackaging.

The XO 1.75 is a natural evolution of the XO, it offers a refreshing components while preparing the ground for the future XO 3.0 will inherit most of its components (including processor). In short, the new in continuity!

The new XO 1.75, the latest version of the XO computer from OLPC foundation is output. You can make a clearer picture on this video (source armdevices.net ):

This new computer 1.75 XO is equipped, like its predecessors (XO XO-1 and 1.5) of a GNU / Linux distribution based on Fedora , it uses the Learning Platform Sugar - and its many activities - and desktop environment GNOME .
Hardware side, it uses a chip ARM Marvell's foundry, thereby further reducing power consumption and increase, consequently, its autonomy. An asset to OLPC deployments in schools in developing countries.

In recent days the press and mailing lists around the OLPC project (including that of OLPC France ) echo the recent interview with Nicholas Negroponte on xeconomy.com .

I must say that it is not less than three versions of XO therein mentioned! It therefore seemed necessary to make a little explanation text and specify what those different versions of the XO that hide very different realities.

It should be noted first that this article is that our analysis, and it does not correspond to a "roadmap" of the official OLPC foundation.

A small diagram will help clarify the issue already (click to view details):
(Note: This article and the following diagram is updated regularly with the newest of the foundation)

Existing machines

Two versions of the XO currently exist: the XO-1 and XO-1.5.

The XO-1 is the first machine series which was produced by the foundation. This is the machine that you know and all that was produced almost 2 million copies.

The XO-1 is equipped with an AMD Geode processor at 400Mhz, 256MB RAM, 1GB of flash memory, a dual screen mode and WiFi mesh (see the features detailed here ).

The XO-1 was announced in November 2005 at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis. It was during this time he had his little crank

Before it is available in its final version, the XO-1 was preceded by five pre-series models (1 Alpha and Beta 4 versions):

• A in April 2006
• B1 in November 2006,
• B2 in February 2007,
• B3 in May 2007,
• B4 in June 2007.

Three updates have minor technical took place:

• C1 in August 2007,
• C2 in November 2007,
• CL1A in June 2009

The XO-1.5 is a technical evolution of the XO-1 from which it takes the design completely.

The XO-1.5 is equipped with a VIA C7-M 1GHz, 1GB RAM, 4GB Flash, the same dual-mode screen that the XO-1 and WiFi. Its detailed specifications are available here .

The XO-1.5 was announced on the mailing list OLPC in April 2009 but we already find traces on one of the first posts of this blog in May 2008 !

The XO-1.5 went into production in May 2010. Several pre-series models have been created previously:

• A1 in May 2009,
• A2 in July 2009,
• B1 in August 2009,
• B2 in September 2009
• [UPDATE 15/11/2009] B3 in November 2009

A first test of the machine B2 was produced by OLPC France.

Three updates in the production model have occurred:

• [UPDATE 16/12/2009] C1 in December 2009
• [UPDATE 30/05/2010] C2 in January 2010
• [UPDATE 30/05/2010] C3 in May 2010

It is important to note that the XO-1.5 replaces the XO-1 whose production has ceased. In short, future deployments will therefore use the XO-1.5.

[UPDATE 20/07/2010] The XO-1.5 HS is the declination of XO-1.5 announcement for older children.

Future directions

Chronologically the next generation of XO, which was announced in May 2008 is the XO-2.

The XO-2 has a lot of attention with its innovative design of dual-screen e-book. An overview is available on the Foundation wiki . A "mock-up", ie a non-functional model, has also been seen at the economic summit in Davos in January 2009.

Since the announcement of the XO-2, several manufacturers, such as, Asus , have proposed a prototype netbook with dual screen.

Alas, in the interview xeconomy.com , Nicolas Negroponte announced that the idea of developing the XO-2 was discarded because its production cost is too high.
Instead of the XO-2, Nicolas Negroponte announced two other concepts: the XO and the XO-1.75-3.
The XO-1.75 is an evolution of XO-1/XO-1.5 but with an ARM processor instead of a processor based on x86 architecture.

One of the main advantages of this type of processor that is specifically designed for low power computers. This is what type of processor that powers the majority of the SmartPhone : Nokia, BlackBerry, Palm and even the famous iPhone .

It is also interesting to note, especially for those who still believe that Microsoft is the devil behind the OLPC, Windows 7 does not work on ARM processors and its compatibility with Windows 8 is far from assured.

Instead, Sugar based on GNU Linux is already running on ARM processors. Moreover, as it relies primarily on interpreted code (Python), it is insensitive to changes in architecture.

The XO-1.75 is quite close to the XO-1.5 and less ambitious than the XO-2, it seems reasonable to think that could emerge. The foundation actively working on the XO-1.5, however it seems hard to imagine that a prototype is available before the last quarter of 2010.
[UPDATE 21/11/2010] A first prototype A1 was launched in October 2010.
[UPDATE 02/08/2011] A second prototype A2 was launched in January 2011.
[UPDATE 31/12/2011] A third prototype A3 was launched in June 2011.
[UPDATE 31/12/2011] A machine beta B1 was launched in July 2011.
[UPDATE 31/12/2011] A pre-series version of C1 was launched in September 2011.

[UPDATE 01/21/2012] Read the test of XO 1.75 here .

The XO-3 was described succinctly by Nicholas Negroponte . It would be great as a single sheet of plastic paper, very fine, tight, with a reflective and transmissive color display without opening. It consumes just one watt and cost $ 75.

The XO-3 could be available in 2012.

Clearly, the XO-3, as was the XO-2, is only a concept, a direction studied by the foundation. So do not expect more information for now. The next step is probably a "mock-up" of the type used for the presentation photos of XO-2.

[UPDATE 23/12/2009] Images from the mock-up have been published by Yves Behar on his site .
[UPDATE 30/05/2010] The foundation announced a partnership with Marvell to produce by January 2011 a first version of a tablet that would be the basis of the XO-3.
[UPDATE 31/12/2011] A first prototype A1 (just the motherboard) was born in December 2011.

Or olpc OLPC?

Now that we have completed this overview of hardware and trails studied so far by the foundation, it is useful to understand its operation, to insist on another part of the interview with Nicholas Negroponte : the separation of the foundation in two different entities. As well commented our friend Christoph Derndorfer in OLPC News , this is an important point to understand the view that we have just presented.

The foundation has indeed split into two entities:

• The association supports olpc deployment, developments and support,
• The OLPC foundation in charge of promoting the project and performed research and development.

The XO-1, XO-1.5 and, soon, the XO-1.75 is therefore the responsibility of the association olpc which will probably be the responsibility of Chuck Kane which is the current mission.
The XO-2 and XO-3 is they spring from the foundation that Nicholas Negroponte is the visionary. The foundation then feed the association, in the same way that the engineering departments of car manufacturers supply them with "concept cars". All "concept cars" do not see the day (that's what happened to the XO-2) but it is they who instil the dynamic automotive industry.
One can only hope that the OLPC foundation will continue to inspire ideas that will realize a little dream of one computer per child.

Note that the diagram at the beginning of the article is freely available here in PDF format and we will try to update it regularly as and when announcements of the foundation.