But I can come up with a scenario that may lead Intel to regret its departure. What if OLPC were to license its impressive technology to commercial manufacturers who would build models with consumer-friendly modifications (like full-size keyboards) and sold these babies in America for $250 or so? What if Google, an OLPC board member whose software works beautifully on the XO, were to get involved, helping subsidize the effort in exchange for carrying its programs? What if Amazon were to take advantage of the XO's ability to swivel its screen into an e-book form factor and allow the laptop to connect to the Amazon store in the same way its Kindle reader does? And Facebook, and MySpace, and other sites make their own customized applications? If an offshoot of the XO were to become the next big thing, Intel's rival AMD would wind up as the crucial chip supplier for a new breed of computer. Could something like this happen?

"We are going to explore 'OLPC America'--starting yesterday," says Negroponte.

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