Endless is a crowdfunded mini PC that's founded on the idea of turning a user's television set into fully functional PCs. It runs on a proprietary operating system and will launch with a library of apps that work both on and offline.
The small, colorful PC runs on a low-end, dual core Intel Celeron processor, with 2 GB of RAM. As it's built for the developing world, providing offline functionality was a priority for the company behind it and there are over 100 applications available for the system, including an encyclopedia, designed to work with or without an internet connection.
Its proprietary operating system, which the company calls Endless OS, has been designed to require no training to use. It's similar to what you'd find on a smartphone – something that the company believes will make it more accessible to users who aren't used to working with desktop software.
The system connects to displays via HDMI or VGA and is available in three variants. It can be configured with a choice of 32 GB of flash storage or a 500 GB HDD. The 500 GB variant offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and a speaker as standard, but they're optional extras on the lower capacity model. All configurations offer a single USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit LAN and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
While you could argue that the Endless PC doesn't offer anything more than the wealth of other mini PCs out there, its specific focus may well win it a spot in the market. It's off to a good start in that regard, concluding a successful crowdfunding campaign earlier this month, having raised more than US$176,000 from backers – well in excess of its $100,000 target.
The company plans to use the funds from the campaign to enter its first markets – Mexico and Guatemala – before later expanding into much of Latin America.
As the Kickstarter effort is over, the Endless PC isn't available for direct purchase right now, but you can sign up to be notified when they become available on the company's website.
Sources: Endless, Kickstarter
We already have chromebooks. chromeboxes, cheap phones and tablets, Intel NUC, Raspberry Pi etc.
OLPC failed for pretty much the same reasons. It was beat out by commercial solutions and this is mostly doomed to the same fate.