More than 4 billion people in the world can't read this article. That's not necessarily because they can't read, although illiteracy is an issue affecting nearly 10 percent[1] of the world's population, but because they don't have access to a computer. Mark Zuckerberg has been tackling the issue of connectivity with Internet.org, but people still lack affordable hardware.
That's where Endless comes in, with their $79 dollar computer called the Endless Mini. The company's entire pitch is that internet access is already widespread, but people need low-cost hardware that still works if the internet cuts out.
This isn't Endless' first product. In 2015, the startup launched the Endless computer, which costs $229 dollars. The idea is about the same for both, which is to pre-load a bunch of really useful information, like Wikipedia and Khan Academy, into the PC as apps, so even without internet the device is useful.
But the big twist for the Endless Mini is that the company isn't making any profit on their hardware. Their game instead is to become a content provider, giving access to easy-to-use apps that work online and offline.
The Endless Mini runs on an ARM Cortex A5 processor, which are usually found in entry-level smartphones, wearables, and internet-connected devices. It comes in 24 GB or 32GB options, and runs a custom Linux-based operating system.
A computer running on a low-power ARM processor is going to be a little slow when fetching data, which the Endless Mini was at times during the demo. However, apps like the word processor launched incredibly quickly, and apps like Khan Academy worked without a hitch.
The device outputs video to HDMI or RCA, so it just needs a keyboard, mouse, and almost any TV to work. It also sports a gigabit ethernet port, and 3.5mm audio jack.
The Endless Mini will be available in late February 2016 online, and the company is using this product to specifically expand their presence in Mexico, Guatemala, and other parts of South America.
References
- ^ nearly 10 percent (www.uis.unesco.org)
