Canonical announces Ubuntu tablet plans – uniformity across phone, tablet, PC and TV
Mark Shuttleworth, the founder at Canonical and Ubuntu said that multitasking productivity will meet elegance and tablets will have rigorous security. Their interfaces will now be the same on all screens and hence your cell phone will give you the same experience as your TV, PC, and tablet when it is docked. This is unique in Ubuntu and according to them, will soon be accepted worldwide.
Shutttleworth also said that Canonical along with their partners are working hard for universal Ubuntu Linux in all platforms. There will be Ubuntu Unity interface launched soon in beta version having same look for all platforms.
Their venture in to smartphones and tablets doesn’t mean that they will move away from PCs. Their desktop OS is very popular all over but Shuttleworth says that use of mobile devices will make Ubuntu more popular in PCs and users will opt for Ubuntu over Windows.
Users will get the full release in October this year. Ready to use and full version will be available in April next year. Shuttleworth said that they recently signed an agreement for huge supply of silicon to the mobile industry and they will optimize Ubuntu for their chips. There will be more details released about this at Mobile World Congress (MWC) which will be held at Barcelona this month.
Shuttleworth also said that a lot of phone carriers from China, Europe, and North America will ship Ubuntu smartphones from 2014.
What does Ubuntu have that Android and iOs doesn’t? Read on –
- Side stage unique multi tasking keeps tablet and phone apps on single screen
- Tablets can be secured with full data encryption, standard management tool which covers PC, touch, and Ubuntu serer, and multiple secure users accounts.
- Real multitasking – Ubuntu allows phone app on display at same time as that on tablet app. This makes multi tasking more efffiecny and improves phone apps can be used on tablet in a better way.
- Securing multi users – a single tablet can have multiple accounts with full data encryption for all personal data courtesy of Ubuntu’s trusted security model which is used widely in governments, banks, and other sensitive environments. This makes it ideal for family and work use.
- HUD voice controlled productivity – Heads-Up Display or HUD is unique in Ubuntu and it lets you do complex things really fast. You can get all the power of PC on a tablet with rich touch interface for all applications.
- Cleaner apps through edge magic – Edges of screen are often used to navigate between the apps, controls and settings. This gives lesser clutter, sleeker hardware, and more content. There aren’t any soft or physical buttons. It is all elegant touch.
- Content focus – All media is presented neatly on customizable home screen for searching through all the sources. This is good for content owners or carriers who wish to highlight content and still give access to global catalogue.
- Program convergence – Now users no longer have to check the version for a device. There will be Ubuntu program running on all platforms of Ubuntu.
- Full convergence – Tablet interface has same code and OS as that on TV, PC, and phone interfaces. Ubuntu OS is designed uniquely to give smooth performance on all the forms.
- Unique convergence for all 4 form factors – your phone can provide you with PC, TV, and tablet interfaces when you dock it to appropriate keyboard, remote, or screen.
Last 2 points can make Ubuntu different from other competitors out there. Shuttleworth says that convergence is the most important feature in Ubuntu.
Regarding tablets, Oren Horev from Ubuntu said that the tablet interface of Ubuntu supports display sizes from 6-20 inches and resolutions of 100-450 PPI. Tablet fits very well between PC and phone in family of Ubuntu. The phone apps will be integrated in a distinct way and they will also shift from tablet to computer smoothly for device convergence.
Ubuntu will provide a good alternative for Windows OS but Ubuntu aren’t marketing their product as an alternative for Windows. It will have at least Intel Arom chip inside and Ubuntu OS will give PC like experience when the tablet gets docked to keyboard along with access for remote Windows apps from standard protocals of Wyse, VMWare, Citrix, and Microsoft.
Stephen Cruze
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