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Canonical unveils Ubuntu for Android smartphones

Written by James Delahunty @ 22 Feb 2012 7:44 User comments (5)

Canonical unveils Ubuntu for Android smartphones

"Ubuntu is the killer app for multi-core phones in 2012."
That's according to Canonical Ltd., the commercial entity backing Ubuntu linux and related products. Ubuntu for Android brings the free Desktop experience to multi-core Android smartphones which are docked with a keyboard and monitor, essentially turning the phone into a PC on demand.

According to Canonical, the phone experience is pure Android; it's a normal Android phone. When the device is connected to a computer screen, however, it launches a full Ubuntu desktop on the computer display, the same Desktop experience used by millions of home and business users on their Ubuntu PCs.

Android applications such as contacts, telephony and SMS/MMS messaging are accessible from the Ubuntu interface, as all data and services are shared between the Ubuntu and Android environments, which run simultaneously on the device.

"The desktop is the killer-app for quad-core phones in 2012" said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical. "Ubuntu for Android transforms your high-end phone into your productive desktop, whenever you need it."



Canonical points out that today's IT departments often provide both a PC and a smartphone for every employee. Ubuntu for Android then presents an alternative solution, whereby IT departments can cut the burden per employee to just one smartphone.

The customized version of Ubuntu drops in cleanly alongside the rest of Android, and the necessary Android modifications are designed for easy integration. Hardware requirements include support for HDMI and USB, standard features in high-end handsets planned for late 2012.

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5 user comments

122.2.2012 09:23

Such a shame, since hardly anyone has quad-core phones...

222.2.2012 11:55

Originally posted by NHS2008:
Such a shame, since hardly anyone has quad-core phones...
It's for multi-core phones not quad. So a phone as old as the Atrix 4g which is dual-core can run it. he's uses an Atrix 2 in the video which is also dual-core I believe.

322.2.2012 22:43
Copper_Bezel
Unverified new user

Originally posted by 21Q:
Originally posted by NHS2008:
Such a shame, since hardly anyone has quad-core phones...
It's for multi-core phones not quad. So a phone as old as the Atrix 4g which is dual-core can run it. he's uses an Atrix 2 in the video which is also dual-core I believe.
It's actually the same trick that the Atrix itself uses. The webtop interface of the Atrix is a modified (locked down) Ubuntu system, and there's similar integration between the Android and Ubuntu tools. This implementation is better, of course, for two reasons - it uses an open, less modified Ubuntu ARM system, and now that Ubuntu and Android use the same kernel, some technical limitations are avoided.

424.2.2012 11:14

It's a shame they only have Unity. I used it for a few days and went crazy.

524.2.2012 19:53

This could be killer. For most people, why have any computer besides your phone?

The only competition will be if Microsoft does something similar with Windows 8, integrating the phone version with the one for ARM PCs and laptops. Apple might be going that way too, with its recent IOS plans.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 24 Feb 2012 @ 7:53

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