Intel has unveiled a new product designed to bring wireless content to teachers and students in classrooms… even in regions where internet access or electricity might be unreliable.
It’s called the Intel Education Content Access Point, and it looks like a simple WiFi router. But it does much more than a typical router.
When it’s connected to an internet signal through an Ethernet connection or a cellular network (if you have an optional cellular modem), it acts like an ordinary WiFi router. But there’s a battery which lets the Access Point work for up to 5 hours even if the electricity to the classroom goes out. And if the internet signal goes out, the Access Point can still keep students connected to one another.
That’s because the device is more than just a router. It has an Intel atom E3815 processor, 8GB of eMMC storage and an optional 500GB hard drive, Ubuntu 12.04 software, and a USB port. Teachers can save digital content to the built-in storage and up to 50 students at a time can connect to the Access Point to download or access documents, videos, or other files on their own devices even if there’s no internet signal.
While Intel designed the Education Content Access Point for use in developing markets, it’ll also be available in other egions including Europe.
The device has 2GB of RAM, 802.11a/b/gn/ac WiFi, optional support for 3G and 4G LTE, and it features a USB 3.0 port and a 4050mAh battery.
Tempted to see this box reviewed and disassembled
Ubuntu is very good and stable. I’m glad they use it for this device.
When I was in elementary/secondary we had giant bulb overhead projectors and hand-drawn notes. Kids in developing countries now are going to get to have internet access + a backup LAN when the power goes out. And I’m not even 30 yet. Times are really changing.
I’ve used something similar for years, that I put together based on a Compulab fit-PC3. It ran Ubuntu server, was an access point/router/fileserver/webserver, and could run from a 12v battery. The new fitlet-I would also do a great job in this role, in a much smaller footprint.
I was going to mention connecting it to an external 12v battery but you got this covered.
As part of an IT disaster recovery scenario for a City I used to work for, we use to brainstorm how we’d get systems back up using whatever we could scrounge up and get information out to the public, even if all City facilities and equipment were destroyed (this was before the Cloud really came to be). Car batteries and power inverters became very valuable. In fact, I even carry an inverter in my car to this day as part of my emergency kit. Everyone should get one in my opinion.