Software-company Canonical Ltd. announced that a preview version of the new Ubuntu smartphone operating system will be promptly released to developers and will support both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4. To give developers a head start in preparing apps for Ubuntu phones, Canonical will publish February 21st the Touch Developer Preview alongside the open source code and all the tools necessary to install the software on the two Android-running Nexus devices. The first batch of Ubuntu phones is slated to hit the mass market in October.
What Else You Need To Know
- Attendees of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain on February 25th to 28th can bring their Nexus 4 or Galaxy Nexus to the Ubuntu booth and have Canonical team members flash their phones to Ubuntu.
- Announced in January, the mobile version of the popular open-source OS sports a gesture-heavy interface and lets users enjoy the same Linux experience across several devices.
- Canonical previously said that the "entry-level" Ubuntu smartphones would require a 1GHz Cortex A9 processor, 512MB to 1GB of RAM, 4 to 8GB eMMC + SD, and a multi-touch display.
- The high-end Ubuntu "smartphone" calls for a Quad-core A9 or Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM minimum, multitouch and desktop convergence.
- Canonical is creating a version of Ubuntu that will be a cross-platform distribution, thus enabling one code base to run on a multitude of devices, such as tablets, desktop, mobile and TV.
Other sources
Ubuntu for phones looks like an interesting new mobile OS, and the fact that it bears the Ubuntu name could help it to gain some extra attention from both users and developers in the months ahead.- Alex Wagner, Phone Dog
- Engadget
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Touch-based Ubuntu preview coming February 21st, will work on Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4
It's not like we didn't have ample warning, so by now anyone wanting to try out the new Ubuntu smartphone OS should have gotten hold of a Galaxy Nexus to be their test device.
- PhoneDog
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Ubuntu for phones Touch Developer Preview to be released for the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4 on Feb. 21
Ubuntu for phones looks like an interesting new mobile OS, and the fact that it bears the Ubuntu name could help it to gain some extra attention from both users and developers in the months ahead.
- Geek.com
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Ubuntu announces dev program, Phone builds for the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4
Canonical wants to make it easy for developers and enthusiasts alike to get a feel for how Ubuntu is going to look on dedicated hardware by making it easy for them to install, just as many users do with their desktop OS.
- Other
- Ubuntu mobile developer preview lands on Nexus handsets 21 February
- Android Community
- Ubuntu developer preview release date set for February 21
- Droid Life
- Ubuntu Developer Preview to Arrive February 21 for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4
- Phandroid
- Ubuntu Touch Developer Preview will be available for the Nexus 4 on Feb 21st
- Other
- Ubuntu Developer Preview for Nexus 4, Galaxy Nexus arrives February 21st
- Mobile Crunch
- Ubuntu Mobile Developer Preview Will Grace The Galaxy Nexus And Nexus 4 On February 21
- Phone Arena
- Ubuntu Phone image coming February 21st to Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4
- More...