Canonical, the company behind the highly popular Linux Distro has revealed its plans for a cutting edge high end smartphone running the Ubuntu OS for smartphones. The OS, formally launched at the Mobile World Congress(which we went hands on with) was in the alpha stage and a demo had been made available for some Android devices too, but it was never ready to be a daily driver. While that is supposed to change soon, Canonical wants to make a really high end device that would hopefully end the hunt for convergence, a single device that does it all. And that, my friends, is the Ubuntu Edge. Here’s a video of the Canonical boss explaining the whole idea behind the Ubuntu Edge –
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLe3iIMN7k
As you noted above, the Edge is actually a really ambitious project with high end specifications. It is even more ambitious when you consider that it is depending on a massive 32 million dollar crowd funded goal to actually produce the device and launch it in 2014, a good year after the reveal. The idea is clear, but are there enough tech enthusiasts that can fund the Ubuntu Edge? Well, it might probably convince you if you look at the specs –
- Dual boot Ubuntu mobile OS and Android
- Fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
- Fastest multi-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
- 4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal display
- 8mp low-light rear camera, 2mp front camera
- Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
- GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
- Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
- MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
- Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
- 64 x 9 x 124mm
If you had watched the full video above, you would know most of the specifications listed here. Yes, it can dual boot Android and Ubuntu, as Mark says, they are not really trying to enter into the phone business, but just want a solution for convergence. Might be just PR speak too, because they are essentially competitors when they have done their own OS. Promising a special display rather than a rat race participant, it is a 4.5 inch one with a 720p HD resolution and would be covered with sapphire crystal than normal or treated, hardened glass. The other specifications are ambitious as well, and pretty self explanatory if you see them above.
Canonical is taking bold steps to create its own cutting edge smartphone, and from the initial renders, it does look promising, but it will be made possible only if they reach the crowd funding goal. If you are interested to see how you can participate, check the source link, more information awaits you.
Source IndieGoGo