The mysterious "so close you can almost touch it" countdown from the ubuntu.com website has just expired, revealing a new operating system for mobile phones: Ubuntu Phone OS.
Check out the trailer and Mark Shuttleworth's presentation of Ubuntu Phone OS videos below:
(direct video link)
(direct video link)
According to The Verge, Ubuntu for phones is built around the Android kernel and drivers, but doesn't use a Java Virtual Machine and also, it supports both ARM and x86 processors.
It's important to note that right now, Canonical tries to find manufacturers to ship with Ubuntu Phone OS, so there's not an actual phone, but only the platform.
Jane Silber says on the Canonical blog that Ubuntu for phones will make use of the installable web apps available in Ubuntu 12.10. Also, there's a QML-based Ubuntu SDK that developers can use to create native apps that work both on the desktop and the phone and then deliver then in the Ubuntu Software Center. For the display server, X.Org is used, but this may change.
Ubuntu Phone OS is still Ubuntu, so while the applications will need a new UI optimized for phones to look and behave properly, you can still install any application available for Ubuntu on Ubuntu Phone OS, as long as it's available for that architecture (ARM, x86).
In a later article, Jono Bacon explains that Ubuntu Phone OS comes with the same technology available in Ubuntu for Android: when docked, the phone turns into a full Ubuntu desktop:
Here are some screenshots / images via ubuntu.com:
It's important to note that right now, Canonical tries to find manufacturers to ship with Ubuntu Phone OS, so there's not an actual phone, but only the platform.
Ubuntu phones aren’t yet available for purchase, but we are ready to start working with partners with an aim to releasing phones before the end of 2013.
You can see Ubuntu for phones demonstrated at the Ubuntu booth at CES next week and we’ll be showing it again at MWC in Barcelona in February.
- Canonical blog
Jane Silber says on the Canonical blog that Ubuntu for phones will make use of the installable web apps available in Ubuntu 12.10. Also, there's a QML-based Ubuntu SDK that developers can use to create native apps that work both on the desktop and the phone and then deliver then in the Ubuntu Software Center. For the display server, X.Org is used, but this may change.
Ubuntu Phone OS is still Ubuntu, so while the applications will need a new UI optimized for phones to look and behave properly, you can still install any application available for Ubuntu on Ubuntu Phone OS, as long as it's available for that architecture (ARM, x86).
In a later article, Jono Bacon explains that Ubuntu Phone OS comes with the same technology available in Ubuntu for Android: when docked, the phone turns into a full Ubuntu desktop:
Here are some screenshots / images via ubuntu.com:
