Computerworld’s Eric Lai reports on a new device designed to power the $100 laptop from the One Laptop per Child project. The new generator is powered by a pull string instead of the crank in the original design, which ended up having major drawbacks. The pull string device can generate enough power to run the laptop for about 40 minutes after being pulled by an adult for 10 minutes.

ETech attendees had the opportunity to view this innovative generator at the O’Reilly Radar Executive Briefing earlier this week.

To read Lai’s interview with Brian Warshawsky, vice-president of manufacturing for Potenco, the manufacturer of the device, visit Computerworld.com.