05/08/2008, 2:05pm, EDT
Thursday, May 8thMicrosoft offers phones as PCs for poor
Microsoft today discussed some of the details of a project it estimates could help address a lack of computing in developing countries. A plan so far known as Fone+ would give users a basic or mid-range smartphone with a dock or similar connection to a TV, giving them a potentially higher-resolution screen and a more comfortable distance to use the device as a budget computer. Doing so not only provides a relatively low cost PC but also a cellphone at the same time; this gives even farmers a way to compute without taking away phones they often use, Microsoft says.
The project would use a variant on Windows Mobile, though whether Fone+ would use a custom phone design or a stock phone from an existing manufacturer is unknown. Microsoft has used prototypes to prove the validity of the concept but hasn't announced any intentions to translate this to a production model. Existing work has so far been kept within Microsoft and hasn't involved outside partners, according to the company.
Processors such as Intel's Atom are said to be instrumental to developments like Fone+ by significantly increasing the performance of handhelds and ultimately cellphones in the near future, enabling multi-function devices that perform the same tasks that would require a desktop or notebook today.
Filed under: industry, gadgets
Other story tags: Microsoft, Intel, Windows Mobile, Atom
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posted by pottymouth
I guess it supports the addage, "The poor get poorer."
posted by Monde
It's a conspiracy_ M$ is vieing for 100% of the world's population to be "plugged in" and the day that happens - something terrible will occur - I just know it_
In other news - someone toady at Microsoft Head-quarters wore a tie_ Secret unknown sources say it had pin-stripes to go with the matching sweat stains on the wearers shirt_
And then someone thought to ask how in the hell does this have a god-damned thing to do with Mac related news - the mac Community or Apple?
PLEASE MacNN - inquiring minds really want to know!
posted by UberFu
Giving a kid the 64 color box of Crayolas with the built in crayon sharpener doesn't give him a better shot at being the next Picasso than the kid with the Crayola box of 10.
posted by psdenno
posted by russellb