Canonical Announces Ubuntu For Phones
Canonical announces a smartphone interface for the Ubuntu operating system.
With the new interface, Ubuntu is targeting entry-level smartphones as well as high-end “superphones” that can be docked to become full PCs.
“We are defining a new era of convergence in technology, with one unified operating system that underpins cloud computing, data centers, PCs and consumer electronics,” said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu and VP Products at Canonical.
The Ubuntu smartphone interface features simple swiping gestures from the edges of the screen that let users access content and switch between apps. For example, swiping from the right-hand edge takes the user to the previously used app, while swiping up from the bottom edge reveals app controls. The handset interface for Ubuntu also includes: Supported swiping gestures from all four edges, disappearing controls, global search for apps, content, and products, voice and text commands in any application, native and web or HTML5 apps, and personalization of the welcome screen. Native apps include: telephony and voicemail, SMS and MMS, email, web browsing, photography, music, and video.
The system requirements for an entry-level Ubuntu smartphone are a 1Ghz Cortex A9 processor and 512MB-1GB of memory. A high-end superphone will require a quad-core A9 or Intel Atom processor and at least 1GB RAM. No phone carriers or manufacturers were named in the announcement.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Red Hat Adds New Deployment Option for Enterprise Linux Platforms
Red Hat has re-imagined enterprise Linux for an AI future with Image Mode.
-
OSJH and LPI Release 2024 Open Source Pros Job Survey Results
See what open source professionals look for in a new role.
-
Proton 9.0-1 Released to Improve Gaming with Steam
The latest release of Proton 9 adds several improvements and fixes an issue that has been problematic for Linux users.
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.