New laptop Windows CE device
Brighthand has an article profiling a new WindowsCE laptop being developed specifically for the education market. WindowsCE is a stripped-down version of Windows that is similar to the PocketPC operating system. It is simpler to operate, has instant-on, longer battery life. and a variety of other education-friendly attributes.
Called the Cathena, it’s slated for a fall release. It’s expected to have built-in 802.11 wireless, a 12-inch, 800×600 resolution screen, and weigh around three pounds. The most important issue is pricing, of course, but that hasn’t been announced yet. I’ll be curious to see how low they can set the price, but a similar device from HP a few years ago had an education cost of around $600. (That device was very popular among the few educators that knew it existed, before it was quickly discontinued by the company because businesses didn’t like it.)