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EA donates SimCity to “One Laptop per Child”

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simcity.pngElectronic Arts Inc. will donate the original SimCity to each computer in the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative. OLPC is a not-for-profit humanitarian effort to design, manufacture and distribute inexpensive laptops with the goal of giving every child in the world access to modern education. By gifting SimCity onto each OLPC laptop, EA is providing users with an entertaining way to engage with computers as well as help develop decision-making skills while honing creativity. This is the first time a major video game publisher has gifted a game to the world.

In SimCity, the player takes on the role of mayor of a new municipality. Doing so requires laying out essentials such as housing, transport links, schools, factories and shops. The job also requires an ability to choose wisely. Players must also be financially savvy. The mayor must always be prepared for emergency situations as well, as earthquakes, floods and fires can wreak havoc on the town and require an immediate response so that fallout can be contained.

OLPC will begin distributing laptops in countries such as Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Haiti, Cambodia and India by the end of 2007. The idea to connect SimCity with OLPC came from internet pioneer, activist and OLPC advisor John Gilmore who knew the game’s history and recognized its potential relevance to the not-for-profit project. Not long after its 1989 release, SimCity became a phenomenon, winning more than 24 domestic and international awards. The game soon made its way into more than 10,000 classrooms as an educational tool and became part of the annual Future City Competition, a contest that still runs in seventh and eighth grade classrooms today.

Originally posted on November 8, 2007 @ 3:08 pm

Open Handset Alliance introduces Android

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A broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies today joined forces to announce the development of Android, the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders.

This alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today’s mobile platforms. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.

Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences.

Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction — a fully integrated mobile “software stack” that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

The Android platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. Next week the Alliance will release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

Android holds the promise of unprecedented benefits for consumers, developers and manufacturers of mobile services and devices. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. And consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces — ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.

Open Handset Alliance Founding Members:

Aplix, Ascender Corporation, Audience, Broadcom, China Mobile, eBay, Esmertec, Google, HTC, Intel, KDDI, LivingImage, LG, Marvell, Motorola, NMS Communications, Noser, NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Nuance, Nvidia, PacketVideo, Qualcomm, Samsung, SiRF, SkyPop, SONiVOX, Sprint Nextel, Synaptics, TAT – The Astonishing Tribe, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Texas Instruments, T-Mobile, Wind River

Originally posted on November 5, 2007 @ 12:38 pm

T-Mobile USA partners with One Laptop per Child

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onelaptop.pngT-Mobile USA, Inc. is partnering with One Laptop per Child for its Give One Get One initiative. T-Mobile is offering one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot access to people who donate an XO laptop to a child in a developing country through the campaign.

The Give One Get One philanthropic campaign puts laptops into the hands of children in the developing world. For a limited time – from Nov. 12 to Nov. 26, 2007 – people can donate $399 for two laptops. One laptop will be given to a child in the developing world. The other laptop will be sent to the donor along with information on how to activate the one year of complimentary T-Mobile HotSpot service.

“T-Mobile believes in helping people stay connected to those who matter most in their lives. The Give One Get One program delivers on our unmistakable commitment to enhancing personal relationships,” said Joe Sims, vice president and general manager for Broadband Services, T-Mobile USA. “We are excited and proud to partner with One Laptop per Child, and are hopeful that our contribution will not only encourage other people to participate, but also make a positive difference.”

Originally posted on November 5, 2007 @ 12:03 pm

“Heroes” star Masi Oka to serve as One Laptop per Child Ambassador

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viewmedia.jpgEmmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Masi Oka, star of NBC’s hit ensemble drama series “Heroes” will serve as global ambassador for One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a non-profit organization launched in 2005 with a mission of providing a means for learning, self-expression and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education. In his role as OLPC ambassador, Oka will appear in public service announcements, both online and on television, to promote the importance of empowering children with learning tools and Internet connectivity.

“Being a part of a global effort that is enabling children to learn, grow and succeed in life is both tremendously gratifying and important to me,” said Masi Oka. “I’m very excited about this opportunity to represent One Laptop per Child and bring my love of technology and education to the global community. I believe that it is incredibly important to enable access to learning for all children so that every child has the opportunity to create a better life for themselves, their family and their society.”

Originally posted on November 1, 2007 @ 10:14 am

Want to get personalized, hand-addressed letters from Santa Claus?

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901am.comClick2Mail, an affiliate partner of the U.S. Postal Service today announced the launch of a Web-based Christmas project, A Letter From Santa, which allows anyone to have a personalized letter from Santa Claus sent to a child and simultaneously support one of the nation’s premiere holiday charities, Toys for Tots.

Letters are printed on limited edition stationery, signed by Santa himself, hand-addressed and postmarked from the North Pole Post Office in Alaska.

If you want to make Santa a little more real and more magical, simply go to RemindSanta.com to help Santa “compose” the letter and Click2Mail does the rest. The complete, delivered cost is $5.99 per US-addressed letter.

For each letter ordered by December 24th, one dollar will be donated to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program-the charity that collects and distributes toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.

Originally posted on October 26, 2007 @ 5:04 am