What happens when the Internet connection is suddenly cut
off? For some people, it can be a disaster, but for some others may not have
much effect on their daily activities. However in today's modern life, our
daily activities are filled with information, and one of the functions of the
internet is as a medium of information distribution.
In fact, there are still quite a lot of people in developing
countries who can't enjoy the easy access to information. From this problem,
comes a great vision of a developer from San Francisco called Endless. They
want to provide an information resource without having to rely on the
availability of an Internet connection.
A computer named Endless is introduced through the campaign
in Kickstarter. It has small size, with a form similar to an egg that has four
pedestal legs. Inside this device there is dual-core Intel Celeron N2807 speed
of 2.17 GHz, 2 GB RAM and 32 GB storage.
Just like the Intel Compute Stick, Endless utilizes HDMI
connection to display the content on a TV or monitor; the difference is Endless
uses a cable. Next to the HDMI port, it appears a number of other ports, such
as VGA, 3.5mm audio, ethernet and USB port to connect the keyboard and mouse.
But the uniqueness of Endless Computer lies in the operating
system run. Named Endless OS, this system doesn't require an internet connection
to be used. More than 100 applications are already installed, and everything
can be fully functional even though the user is offline.
These applications have various types, ranging from
productivity software, photo editor, educational games, to Wikipedia and Khan
Academy for students, all of them can be used for free. In accordance with the
developer vision, Endless Computer and Endless OS are intended to be an
information means and complete computing media, no matter there is an internet
connection or not.
The display and the way to operate Endless OS is more like
mobile software than the desktop version. This step is taken in order to make
the target market doesn't get difficulty in using the Endless Computer.
When the internet access is available, though limited,
Endless is still able to run the update software. An App Center is pinned so
that the app installation can run more easily, and of course, a web browser
also complements this device.
Endless campaign in the Kickstarter managed to exceed the
target. There are two variants offered: the standard variant with the above
specs for $ 169, and other variant with an additional of 500 GB HDD, speakers,
Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth 4.0 for $ 229.
Endless plans to make its debut in Mexico and Guatemala,
followed by other countries in Latin America. In the next few years, they hope
to soon be operating in Africa, Middle East and Asia.