The next big thing in tech: The desktop computer (yes, really)

By Peter Shadbolt for CNN
Updated 12:13 PM EST, Mon March 7, 2016
Poor internet connectivity, uncertain power supply and a simple lack of money have meant that billions have been locked out of the knowledge economy. Matt Dalio, CEO of Endless Computers, wants to change all of that with the first simplified, robust and affordable desktop aimed at emerging market consumers.<br />
Poor internet connectivity, uncertain power supply and a simple lack of money have meant that billions have been locked out of the knowledge economy. Matt Dalio, CEO of Endless Computers, wants to change all of that with the first simplified, robust and affordable desktop aimed at emerging market consumers.
Courtesy of Endless
Equipped with App-based software and hardware that can cope with an uncertain power supply, Endless comes in a 32G and 500GB version both powered by 2GB of RAM.
Equipped with App-based software and hardware that can cope with an uncertain power supply, Endless comes in a 32G and 500GB version both powered by 2GB of RAM.
Courtesy of Endless
Dalio told CNN he got the idea to create a $169 computer while he was traveling and noticed that, while most homes did not have a desktop computer, they often had an HD screen.
Dalio told CNN he got the idea to create a $169 computer while he was traveling and noticed that, while most homes did not have a desktop computer, they often had an HD screen.
Courtesy of Endless
The idea is to effectively encapsulate the internet for consumers beyond the range of the net. Each unit comes pre-loaded with a full encyclopedia, recipes, educational lectures and health information.
The idea is to effectively encapsulate the internet for consumers beyond the range of the net. Each unit comes pre-loaded with a full encyclopedia, recipes, educational lectures and health information.
Courtesy of Endless
After searching for the right team and launching a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than its $100,000 target in record time, Endless plans to be on sale in Mexico in May.
After searching for the right team and launching a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than its $100,000 target in record time, Endless plans to be on sale in Mexico in May.
Courtesy of Endless
Consumers in the developing world, Dalio says, are no different to consumers anywhere else in the world and want something functional but also slick. "People are like you and I, they want the best that they can afford," he said. "They want something unique and beautiful and exciting and different. <br />
Consumers in the developing world, Dalio says, are no different to consumers anywhere else in the world and want something functional but also slick. "People are like you and I, they want the best that they can afford," he said. "They want something unique and beautiful and exciting and different.
Courtesy of Endless
Dalio says the unit has been enthusiastically received where they have conducted market research in Guatemala.
Dalio says the unit has been enthusiastically received where they have conducted market research in Guatemala.
Courtesy of Endless
"Information is so powerful ... what we want to do is to fill this product with the information that's relevant to their lives," Dalio says. "No one in San Francisco is building a how-to-manage-your-cattle app, that's for sure."
"Information is so powerful ... what we want to do is to fill this product with the information that's relevant to their lives," Dalio says. "No one in San Francisco is building a how-to-manage-your-cattle app, that's for sure."
Courtesy of Endless
Desktop renaissance

Story highlights

Endless Computers has produced a simplified, robust and affordable desktop aimed at emerging market consumers

The company said its $169 product is designed to be hooked up to a TV screen and can be used anywhere

Endless designed its own operating system; one that was highly functional but could work with cheap processors

The Endless unit is preloaded with a full encyclopedia, recipes, educational lectures and health information

CNN  — 

You will see plenty of smartphones in the developing world and you’ll see plenty of TVs; but you’re unlikely to see desktop computers in remote areas.

Poor internet connectivity, uncertain power supply and a simple lack of money have meant that billions have been locked out of the knowledge economy.

Matt Dalio, CEO of Endless Computers, wants to change all of that with the first simplified, robust and affordable desktop aimed at emerging market consumers.

Dalio told CNN he got the idea to create a $169 computer while he was traveling and noticed that, while most homes did not have a desktop computer, they often had an HD screen.

“It was one of those micro-epiphanies,” he said. “I was in India and I looked over at a television and then I looked at my hand and there was a phone in it and I thought why not connect the two?

“While smartphones may be sweeping through emerging markets, a computer is still the thing that you and I sit down to every day to access the knowledge economy,” he said. “The only difference between a smartphone and a computer is the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse and the operating system.”

Reinventing the wheel