I have seen predictions of cheap, disposable computes before...so here's the latest via an article in The Times of India , "Bridge digital divide @ Rs 10,000" (that's roughly USD235), about a new PC that is touted to make computer ownership "within the reach of virtually everyone".
It was the "within the reach of virtually everyone" statement that caught my attention. What is the magic dollar figure that will make PC ownership so attractive that "virtually everyone" will be able to run out and buy one...and repeat that process every 2-4 years so that their PC doesn't turn into a paper weight? (By the by, that is NOT something I advocate, but it is a reflection of where we are today.) From looking at the long lines at cellular phone stores, one might conclude that $100-$200 range might get computers into the 'disposable' or 'price competition' range of ubiquitous electronic devices...if so, the XenITis machine is getting close.
Getting back to the "virtually everyone" comment...if computers become affordable for the masses, will there be a need (or as much a need) for federal dollars to support educational technology? Would professional organizations/lobbies still exist to support educators and education administrators?
Lest we get our hopes up that ubiquitous computing means the same thing around the globe, another article regarding India, "Bridging the digital divide in Mumbait", looks at the use of automotive batteries to power computers in remote areas of the country. When is the last time you combined the thought of 'computer'and 'batteries not included'?