Washington23 - Breaking News and Updates

The Lifeplayer in Kenya. Photo Lifeline Energy
This big, ugly gadget is the LifePlayer, and it can change people’s lives. It’s a solar-powered five-band radio and MP3 player designed to be used as a teaching aid in the developing world. Currently, the units are being tested in Rwanda where the government has decided to switch the nation’s language from French to English. I know — crazy, right?
The LifePlayer can be run from either a removable solar cell or by turning a hand-crank. It has 64GB to store educational materials — in this case English lessons — and content can be added via a microSD card slot or by recording direct from the radio.
The device also performs another key role: it can charge cellphones. This is essential in developing countries that have deployed cellular networks but have few power outlets.
You can’t buy one but then it’s not meant for you: an iPod Nano and a speaker can perform the same duties. But a big rugged radio that can run without power and time-shift radio broadcasts could probably have a much bigger impact than the OLPC in the countries that need it.
Lifeplayer [Lifeline. Thanks, Meaghan]
See Also:

$20 Wikipedia Reader Uses 8-Bit Computing Power
Cuban Cellphone Market Opened Up To Locals
XO-3 Concept: A Crazy-Thin Tablet OLPC for Just $75

Via: Gadget Lab