2006-03-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

Whether it's a laptop or cellphone, there needs to be a lot more discussion around how the world's poorest countries will be impacted by a sudden injection of technology on this scale.

Our technologies work us over completely. They reshape every part of our lives. If MIT wants to drop 100 million laptops from the sky then they have a responsibility to research the entire range of possible affects (good and bad). The current MIT FAQ doesn’t even hint at how the poorest countries will be affected. Handfuls of questions need to be added …

I went to a presentation at the Media Lab on the $100 laptop about two weeks ago. The laptop is interesting on a variety of levels and seems to be designed to be hackable all the way through, hardware as well as software. One advantage it has over the cell phone/TV combo is that it is completely self-contained and self-powered which means it might also serve as a power source for other portable devices based upon C batteries (which now seems to be the power storage).

That is, if they have the vision to push the idea of battery switching.

Mr. Negroponte has made significant progress [on his $100 aptops], but he has also catalyzed the debate over the role of computing in poor nations — and ruffled a few feathers. He failed to reach an agreement with Microsoft on including its Windows software in the laptop, leading Microsoft executives to start discussing what they say is a less expensive alternative: turning a specially configured cellular phone into a computer by connecting it to a TV and a keyboard.

Bill Gates, Microsoft's co-founder and chairman, demonstrated a mockup of his proposed cellular PC at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month, and he mentioned it as a cheaper alternative to traditional PC's and laptops during a public discussion here at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Craig J. Mundie, Microsoft's vice president and chief technology officer, said in an interview here that the company was still developing the idea, but that both he and Mr. Gates believed that cellphones were a better way than laptops to bring computing to the masses in developing nations. "Everyone is going to have a cellphone," Mr. Mundie said, noting that in places where TV's are already common, turning a phone into a computer could simply require adding a cheap adaptor and keyboard. Microsoft has not said how much those products would cost.

Mr. Mundie said there was no firm timing for the cellphone strategy, but that the company had encouraged such innovations in the past by building prototypes for consumer electronics manufacturers.

It is not clear to what extent Mr. Negroponte's decision to use free open-source software in the laptop instead of Windows spurred the alternative plan from Microsoft. But Mr. Gates has been privately bitter about it, and Mr. Mundie has been skeptical in public about the project's chance of success. . . .

Steven P. Jobs, Apple's chief executive, had also offered a free version of his company's OS X operating system, but Mr. Negroponte rejected that idea because the software was largely not open-source, meaning users could not get free access to software and its source code, which they could then modify. Mr. Negroponte said in an interview here that he had resolved to use Linux not because it was free but because of its quality and maintainability.

"I chose open-source because it's better," he said. "I have 100 million programmers I can rely on."

2005-12-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

When twilight falls, prowl the night with the mysterious Nokia 7280 phone. Shrouded in the mystery is a passion that will only reveal itself as you slide it open. Its sublime form is exquisitely crafted, leaving you with a slim, sleek object of beauty, unmatched by any other. High-resolution active color breathtaking display supports up to 65,536 colors within 104 x 208 pixels bringing you the best picture quality possible on a phone display. Capture the night's most compelling moments with the Integrated VGA Camera which has a resolution of (640 x 480) with built-in lens cover. Slide it open to reveal the beauty of the mirror finish and explore your flair for creativity and send your creations via MMS. Included Nokia PC Suite with XHTML browser will let you browse the Internet with no hassle, just like you would do it sitting at home/office by your computer. With built in Bluetooth wireless technology and internal hadnsfree speaker you will experience the whole new world of wireless communication. You and the Nokia 7280 phone, a combination that's as compelling as the night.

Specifications:

Key Features
Subtle and sleek rotator to access features in a unique way
Slide it open to reveal the beauty of the mirror finish
Voice-activated user interface for a more personal touch
Cunningly hidden integrated VGA camera for a touch of mystery
Internal handsfree speaker to communicate in a whole new way
Explore your flair for creativity and send your creations via MMS
Operating Frequency
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900
Unique Design Exuding Mystery
Answer and end calls in true style with the active slide
Smoothly slides open to reveal the cunningly hidden camera
Unique red glow display screen exudes mystery and excitement
Complete your look with the stylish protective carrying bags and straps
Display
High-resolution active color display
Breathtaking display supports up to 65,536 colors within 104 x 208 pixels
Integrated Digital Camera
Capture the night's most compelling moments with the Integrated VGA Camera
'sideways' landscape orientation
Resolution: VGA (640 x 480) with built-in lens cover
SMS and MMS with AMR voice clips;
Connectivity and Data Transfer
HSCSD and EGPRS for high-speed data connectivity
GPRS for convenient 'always on' browsing
Bluetooth wireless technology
Infrared
XHTML browser
Nokia PC Suite
SyncML for daily synchronization of day and night phones
Nokia Collector supports synchronization with Apple for photos, audio files, and video clips
Downloadable tones, skins, themes, screensavers, and wallpapers;
Video streaming;
Voice-activated user interface;
Internal handsfree speaker for group calls;
Polyphonic ringing tones (MIDI);
Integrated FM radio;
Vibration in phone;
Called ID;
Internal antenna.
Memory: 50MB
Weight: 84g
Dimensions: 115 x 32 x 19 mm
Display: 208 x 104 pixels, 65K colors, TFT
Digital camera: VGA, 640 x 480 pixels
Messaging: mms, sms
Battery performance: standby up to 240 hrs, talk up to 3 hrs
Color: black
Package Includes:

Nokia 7280 Handset
Li-ion Battery
AC Adapter
Headset
Carrying Pouch with Handstrap
CD-ROM
User Manual

Nokia 7280 Cell Phone