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Ubuntu for phones announced, arrives in early 2014

03 January, 2013 | Read the news | Post your comment
Ubuntu for phones announced, arrives in early 2014 - read the full textCanonical has unveiled the mobile version of their Linux-based Ubuntu operating system. Ubuntu for phones uses the same basic kernel and drivers as Android but has a brand new UI and navigation. For starters, Ubuntu makes heavy use of gestures for navigating around. Each of the four corners...

 

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> In reply to Jack Package @ 2013-01-03 17:40 from Rx90 - click to readAs You said, Microfost did that. Ubuntu is Linux as Android.

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  • 2013-01-03 18:11
  • 3s4G

A not so long time ago microsoft did the same thing and fooled us all when they spread rumors saying their W8 apps are compatible with W8 RT and WP8. And people joyed. Until they unveiled the truth that is.


Same shit is going on with this Linux. No we dont need new OS every year. We need cutting edge innovation and better battery technology.

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  • 2013-01-03 17:40
  • Rx90

New OS that comes with basically 0 apps are so cool.

-said no other ever

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  • 2013-01-03 17:34
  • Rx90

I think gaming on an Ubuntu phone is great, I imagine it might look similar on iOS's gaming,. Gaming on Ubuntu phones will surely have no lags, bugs, and force closes (i wish). On an Android phone, it seems that gaming is laggier, buggier, sometimes not quite polished, but other games on android seemed to be okay. So i hope Ubuntu might make gaming on a smartphone thrilling, enjoyable and exciting, and i hope they make it hd or 3d.

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  • 2013-01-03 17:32
  • t7xb

OS makers!!... we have everything... thnx
Handset makers...... would u mind getting a battery that goes for atleast 4 days on a single charge.... just one day charge makes me feel like living in 60s.

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  • 2013-01-03 17:23
  • b%L6

> In reply to ObserverPh @ 2013-01-03 12:13 from vaN} - click to readActually, it existed, but did not succeed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_80_(softwar­e_platform) .
And the same for S90: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_90_(softwar­e_platform) .

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  • 2013-01-03 17:13
  • MV4n

> In reply to SachBro @ 2013-01-03 15:45 from vbx@ - click to readWP it's not better than Android. WP could die soon.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:44
  • 0UuE

> In reply to jhonyy @ 2013-01-03 16:12 from nvGJ - click to readThe phone used for Ubuntu is not an S3, but the Galaxy Nexus.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:40
  • 0UuE

After Jolla, a new player is coming lol.

More seriously, if Ubuntu can bring all their PC apps to a smartphone, it would be a technically big hit. It is almost, if not actually completely is, the power of a computer in your hands, like the N900, N9 and N950 are (or were?). No need for Dalvik, as Ubuntu has a loads of apps , thanks to Canonical and Debian community works (Debian is Ubuntu basis). I am using Xubuntu, and the Ubuntu software centre is really well built and full of apps, so I know what I am talking about. If the rate is below €300, it will surely sell very well where it would be available. Still, building relationship with mobile carriers and manufacturers would be the hardest part, in my opinion. What else to say? The more the merrier and may the best OS hold the crown.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:39
  • MV4n

True Multitasking. Would personally like to see how this works.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:30
  • utX$

Anyway ChromeOS is another where google come in to integration all.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:22
  • tufH

Why so sceptical? The UI looks nothing short of amazing (so we'll definitely see a lot of their solutions copied by other players) and rocking the Android kernel it will launch apps in native code! This has a potential to be actually faster than Android on Android phones.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:17
  • 3ZH5

What can i say Android here comes the batman.. Maybeee you should give making google nexus phone to Samsung because now the official first phone of ubuntu is Samsung G3. I think war of ios is beginig now.:)))))

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  • 2013-01-03 16:12
  • nvGJ
  • The Boy with Red Hat
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Well I have my doubts on this one..

Ubuntu (among Linux) don't have real usefull software or apps...So this sounds like a MeeGO way to "born dead OS".

People don't like closed systems because THEY DON'T LIKE TO PAY A DIME.

I see a lot of Linux-Android users asking about...Man I hope everythings goes free like the OS.

And that's not the point here..I believe in "honest work deserves honest pay"

And sincerely software like Microsoft Office Is hard to beat, and once you use Windows 8 you feel like a caveman using Linux software :P

Sincerely I don't see any bright future in this OS.

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  • 2013-01-03 16:03
  • Pr@c

> In reply to U.LOY @ 2013-01-03 14:45 from MGph - click to read+ 1 to Experience of ubuntu on PC being rubbish. Very skeptical of how this is going to turn out on mobile phones....

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  • 2013-01-03 15:55
  • EC}I

> In reply to Anonymous @ 2013-01-03 15:41 from niyy - click to readDream On dude. I admire Ubuntu for what it has shown but WP interface is better than boring Crapple and Lagroid combined. Just because they sell more units, it doesn't mean they are the best.

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  • 2013-01-03 15:45
  • vbx@

I heard a loud gulp from the Jolla/Sailfish headquarters...

And of course Ubuntu won't challenge Android and iOS, but the third place is a realistic goal. At least it looks much better than WP tile boredom.

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  • 2013-01-03 15:41
  • niyy

I really need Ubuntu on my Galaxy S3. This will be awesome, when it will be released.

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  • 2013-01-03 15:17
  • Mfxj

So, first things first:
"Nirvana Phone" concept is not new, but I've been dying to see someone actually commit to it. Now that ARM processors are so powerful it is a possibility. Even more interesting, Intel's x86 SoC solutions might be even better suited, like medfield and clover trail.

My dream device is one that is fully stocked in one piece, a handset. It has one interface for it. Put it in tv/multimedia dock, it becomes a HTPC. Put it in a desktop dock with KVM, it becomes a desktop. Samething with laptop docks. Motorola Atrix has something like this, but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired, especially on the software side.

Apple could make a killing on this if they fuse iOS and OS X even further(they did begin the process though). And btw, I don't like Apple that much, just to avoid fanboy remarks.

MS, if they are smart, will make multi-core intel phones, underclock them while running as a handset, and juice them up when docked, giving the full windows experience.

Android needs a better way to multi-task, like side-by-side apps and multiple windows and it too might become a desktop OS.

Ubuntu?
I used to love it! I would recommend it so passionately to everyone who could benefit from it(some people cannot due to vendor lock-in).

Then they insisted on Unity... yuck! What the hell were they smokin', I have no idea. But that was not really a wise choice.

Some of the ideas behind Ubuntu for phones are awesome, and some are downright idiotic. Lock screen is needed for a reason. I put gesture unlock on my Android because I dialed a few numbers by accident, and opened a bunch of apps the same way. Pocket lining is not that thick and your leg might trigger the capacitive screen! So, a proper screen lock please!

Furthermore, I do NOT understand the obsession with search everywhere. I use Google when I want to find something on the web, not my desktop search bar.

I use folders to organize apps by function(vertical)as opposed to flat organization pioneered by iOS and adopted by others. Search is for when you look for something that you don't know where it is. And unifying local and internet search, especially for a massive web store is not cool at all.

These features are more of a novelty than a productivity enhancers. And corporate customers are not going to like a "welcome screen" nor the unified search, and neither will any self-respecting system administrator. Way too insecure.

But I love the general idea. Who knows, maybe Mint Phone(as in Ubuntu based Linux Mint that sponsored development of "MATE" and "Cinnamon" desktop environments that keep stealing Ubuntu users away from ubuntu) will answer a few more prayers. :)

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  • 2013-01-03 15:07
  • JFkf

Well, Android is a kinda Linux (not very open) and lately is a market leader. MeeGo was great and I see heavy usage of gestures as were used in MeeGo. Ubuntu runs great on netbooks, laptops and servers, has Unity user interface (which is preety touchscreen oriented), Wacom works closely with them, so there is no reason why we wouldn't expect a great opensource OS. Ubuntu/Debian has preety large app center and Canonical promises that all desktop apps should work on mobile... I think this is begining of a new mobile/desktop (R)evolution.

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  • 2013-01-03 14:56
  • 3s4G
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