India plugging in, Citi striking out

GOOD DAY FOR: Low hopes, as the Indian government is tackling the country’s “digital divide” by rolling out a $10.25 laptop. The prototype Sakshad (“before your eyes”) laptop is the centerpiece of a government e-learning program that seeks to extend higher education to India’s poor. The laptops will be wireless, with 2 GB of RAM, but will not run Windows. Some are skeptical that India can pull off a laptop that cheap. “You cannot even [make] a computer screen for $20,” notes Netcore Solutions manager Rajesh Jain. (The Guardian)

BAD DAY FOR: Playing defense, as Citigroup is exploring ways to back out of its 20-year, $400 million sponsorship deal with the New York Mets, according to The Wall Street Journal. The 2006 sponsorship deal includes naming the Mets’ new ballpark Citi Field. Citi, like other banks using government bailout money, is facing pressure to cut superfluous spending. The Mets said the agreement is “legally binding,” however. “The Mets are fully committed to our contract with Citi,” said Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz. (Reuters)

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