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After the recent bad news regarding Intel for the OLPC project it is good to see that they have set up offices in the US and are looking to expand through state governments and get the XO laptop into the hands of the poorest kids in the US.

The XO laptop costs $188 which is almost double the initial target of $100, and with $10,000 spent per annum on each primary school child in the US compared to $20 in Bangladesh it is likely that the project is looking to boost sales of the XO in the US to help support the sales in the poorer nations, but as the poorest kids in the US benefit at the same time it seems like a win-win situation to me.

Via [BBC]

We just posted the article Apple partners up with major airlines for iPod integration, and now Apple’s already got themselves into trouble with the announcement.  According the AppleInsider, two of the six airlines included in Apple’s press release yesterday to include iPod features on their airplanes, have not yet finalized the deal with Apple.

Reuters: “It’s way too early to confirm any such details,” said an Air France spokeswoman, referring to the iPod seat connectivity and a mid-2007 availability date.

Reuters: “It’s very premature what Apple are saying,” said a KLM spokesman, noting that there have been “informal contacts” between Apple and the airline.

United spokesperson Graham Atkinson, executive vice president and chief customer officer, also was quoted saying that the iPod integration features have a “significant value in offering a superior in-flight entertainment experience to our first- and business-class customers during their international flights.” I don’t doubt that these deals will come through, but this is still quite embarrassing for Apple.

Read [Reuters] Via [AppleInsider]
Image courtesy Tom Bukowski.

If you’ve ever been on an airplane with your iPod, you know just as well as I do that it’s a pretty miserable experience.  First, you either have to hold up the device so you can see it, or prop it up against the seat in front of you.  You’ll be happy to hear...that day has ended.  Apple has announced they have partnered up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United for in-flight iPod integration.  What is meant by that?  The companies are working to provide passengers with cables to connect up your iPod for charging, and even to play videos on the screen on the seat in front of you.  It has not yet been announced whether this will be available to coach passengers, or just first class.

According to MacRumors, Reuters is reporting that Air France “is, at least partially denying Apple’s announcement.

Apple is a partner of Air France but it is completely premature on this date of speaking about such a project

I wonder if the airplanes will say “Made for iPod” on the side of them.

Read [Apple] Via [MacRumors]