Knowledge is power and power means improving quality of life. If you agree to this statement, then I bet you will welcome Endless Computer, an affordable personal computer that’s geared towards emerging middle class families across developing world. Similar to Outernet’s endeavor, Endless wants people who cannot afford a PC to own one and have access to a wealth of information even without Internet access. Endless comes preloaded with a full encyclopaedia, education materials, recipes, health information, and “over 100 other apps” that will work without being connected. If connectivity is available, users can download new apps through a built-in App Center. Operation will be easy peasy too with the company saying it is built like tablet which, in another words, any users familiar with smartphone will know how to use it.
But why such a PC? Simple, as Matt Dalio, CEO and Chief of Product of Endless, explains: “Internet connectivity is unreliable and expensive in the developing world. Unfortunately, most information is available only via the Internet, so we built an app ecosystem and loaded it with apps for health, wellness, education, small business, and personal finance so that people will have access to the information no matter what their Internet conditions.” The rig runs on Endless OS, which means it is free from the threat of viruses, and is comparatively powerful with specs like Intel Celeron 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 2GB RAM, Ethernet port, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, HDMI and VGA output and stereo line-out. Endless computer is essentially a desktop-bound mobile device.
Two models are being offered: a 32GB eMMC version with SD storage and one with 500GB HDD. The latter comes equipped with a larger power supply, a 30W item as opposed to 24W, and comes with integrated high-performance speaker, 801.11 b/g/n, and Bluetooth 4.0 technology. You may have noticed, it comes without peripherals, including the all-important display. And there is a good reason to it too. Dalio reasoned that since most homes in developing countries have TV, they could use the TV to double as the monitor. As for the mouse and keyboard, users will have to acquire separately at their own expenses, of course.
Do not mistake the Endless Computer as a charity machine; it is not. It is targeted that middle class families who can’t afford a regular PC but has some extra money to spare, has no issue of power supply in their homes and has a HDMI-equipped TV. Endless Mobile has recently concluded a successfully funded Kickstarter campaign, but for everyone else who missed it, it can be pre-order on the company’s website, starting at just $169.
