About this project
$176,538
1,041
Imagine yourself without a computer. That is most of the world.
Almost 5 billion people do not have computers. A computer can mean access to information, health, livelihood, and jobs in our global economy. It is opportunity, if you can only access it.
A few years ago, on a trip to India, we had an epiphany: If we ran a full desktop operating system on the inexpensive processors that power smartphones, and plugged them into the TVs people already own, we could make a computer that is affordable to more people.
Three years later we are proud to show you Endless, a computer, operating system, and ecosystem of applications tailored specifically to users in developing countries.
In the process of building a simple, stable computer, we built a great computer for a grandparent, a child, and anyone in need of an affordable, intuitive device. This may be the only time Endless is available in the developed world. We’re proud to offer, exclusive to the Kickstarter community, Endless.
We believe that affordable products can and should be delightful, so Endless is designed with that in mind. In an industry of generic black boxes, we aim to bring a little sunshine in the rain.
The software is as simple to use as modern mobile operating systems, with the power of a full desktop OS. The interface, software updates, application installation, localization, the apps themselves, the way data is treated: we rethought them all for our market.
The software is designed to require zero training, to work well in environments without internet and to be super robust. Whenever we found something that our users needed, we built it.
The Kickstarter community is the leading edge of technology, not the people who are left behind. That's precisely why we are launching on Kickstarter. You are the early adopters.
Help us tell the world
The product is ready and our users love it. But our market is hard to reach. We need the attention of press globally and they look to you, the early adopters, to know what’s worth spreading. Our dream would be to have 100,000 people give $1. If you believe in our mission, share it.
We think you'll love it
Somewhere along the way something funny happened: our friends started asking to buy one. It’s robust, intuitive, and elegant. We need to stay focused on emerging markets users, so this may be the only time we offer this product in the developed world. Yet it’s a great computer for a grandparent, a child, as a gift, and for anyone who wants an easy and affordable computer. We built a device that we would be proud to own. We believe you will be too.
This product has been designed in the developing world, side by side with our users. We went into the field and into people’s homes, sat on their couches and floors and asked them every question we could in order to understand how technology could change their lives. We realized that existing software is broken for emerging market users. Over the past few years of research and development, we have built solutions to those problems.
Do people even want computers anymore? The only way to know was to ask. The response was universal: While smartphones and tablets are good for content consumption and communication, computers remain our hubs for content creation. A computer means full access. Virtually everyone who can afford a computer has one. We want everyone to have that choice. They certainly ask us for it.
A product is a reflection of the people who created it. With a presence in San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Guatemala City, and Taiwan, Endless is a hybrid of Silicon Valley technology and emerging markets DNA. Our San Francisco-based product development team includes some of the Linux community’s most respected engineers and a world class hardware team. Our design team is in-market, and is comprised of some of Rio’s most respected designers. Our ground team spans Brazil, Guatemala, India, Haiti, and Jordan, spending every day in the field amplifying the voice of our users. What makes Endless so special is that we care. Our product is the embodiment of our values. We're excited for you to get to know us.
We'd love to hear from you. Our team will answer any of your questions.
International Backers
We are built to be global. Of course we will ship globally! With the exception of Argentina, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar/Burma, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. You may be responsible for duties, fees and taxes applicable to your region. Please do your research beforehand, as they can be significant in some countries such as Brazil.
Estimated Delivery
Estimated shipping dates are listed in each reward tier. While dates are perfectly reasonable for us to achieve, it is possible that something unforeseen causes delays. Please be patient if that happens.
Warranty
Endless stands behind its products. We provide a twelve (12) months Limited Warranty. Warranty doesn't cover shipping cost out of United States.
Risks and challenges
Manufacturing
We have been really fortunate with our manufacturing partner. They are the largest desktop computer manufacturer in the world and, while they never work with startups, they were so swept with our vision and with the product that we put in front of them that they took a bet on us. They manufacture a million computers per month. We can manufacture at any scale necessary, thanks to their support. However, we have a lead time of about four months for orders, and normal supply chain and forecasting risk does apply.
Software
While this software is built upon a thoroughly robust foundation and has been tested for years, software is a risk that we should highlight. Note that Endless was designed to be solid instead of flexible. It is not meant to be jailbroken and altered. Doing so beyond normal usage could render the operating system unusable.
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