Ubuntu is powerful OS for the desktop. For smartphones, Ubuntu Touch is a work in progress.
Still, there are plenty of mobile programmers, Linux devotees and smartphone power users that would like to know more about the first release of Ubuntu Touch for smartphones and tablets.
Pocket-lint has explained the ins and outs of Ubuntu Touch for those who are interested. Read on to learn everything you need to know, such as what it is, how to get it and more.
What is Ubuntu for Desktop?
Ubuntu for Desktop is a free and open operating system from Canonical. It's based on the same Linux kernel used by the entire Linux family of Unix-like operating systems.
In the operating system space, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X are the primary competitors to Linux. Canonical has released new versions of Ubuntu for Desktop every six months since its initial release in 2004.
Everything you'll want to know about Ubuntu for Desktop is available here.
What is Ubuntu Touch?
Ubuntu Touch is a free and open source variant of Ubuntu for Desktop, but is designed to run on touchscreen devices. The first developer and partner version released on 17 October 2013. Canonical hopes to release a full version in April 2014.
Note: Canonical has tried to get Ubuntu Touch ready for smartphones. Expect it to work better for tablets in the full version.
What can Ubuntu Touch do?
Ubuntu Touch uses the same core technologies as Ubuntu for Desktop, meaning Ubuntu for Desktops apps can run on Ubuntu Touch and vice versa. Additionally, Ubuntu Touch devices can run a full Ubuntu session and change into a full desktop operating system when plugged into a docking station.
A touch-enabled device will display the full Ubuntu for Desktop interface when running Ubuntu Touch and docked to a PC, (docked simply means connected or plugged in). The Ubuntu Touch device can therefore run Ubuntu for Desktop apps like Firefox, Thunderbird, VLC, etc.
Computers can display mobile apps and let users place and receive calls or SMS messages directly from the desktop when running Ubuntu for Desktop and connected to a device with Ubuntu Touch. Last, but not least, an Ubuntu Touch device will also display the Ubuntu TV experience. Everything you'll want to know about Ubuntu TV is available here.
Note: According to GigaOm, Ubuntu Touch's ability to run as full desktop Ubuntu when docked to an HDMI monitor or Bluetooth keyboard is not yet available. Ubuntu's Mir server isn't ready apparently due to “outstanding technical difficulties". This ability will unveil in next version, 14.04, which is due in April.
What's the UI like?
Check out the videos below to see the Ubuntu UI for phones and tablets. Everything else you'll want to know about the design and user-experience for phones and tablets is available here and here, respectively.
What's the app ecosystem like?
Ubuntu Touch has an "excellent selection of core apps that have been designed, built and tested entirely by the Ubuntu community," according to Canonical.
Examples of existing apps include Calendar, Clock, Calculator and Weather, Sudoku, Dropping Letters, Terminal and File Manager. More apps - such as Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, Evernote and Amazon - will be available at launch. Ubuntu Touch also features many web apps, and each have their own icons and access to system notifications.
Ubuntu Touch might be the touch-friendly version of Ubuntu, but it isn't complete. There aren't many smartphone or tablet apps for it yet, because things are still in the early stages. There's still plenty of time for developers to hop on board.
Everything you'll want to know about Ubuntu Touch's app ecosystem is available here.
Is there an Ubuntu smartphone?
There is no Ubuntu hardware (smartphones, tablets, etc.) with Ubuntu Touch pre-loaded, though Canonical has previously tried crowdfunding in a bid to develop and launch an Ubuntu Edge smartphone. The campaign wasn't successful, but Canonical has revealed that some handsets could still debut in 2014.
What are the supported devices?
Ubuntu Touch is officially compatible with the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, original Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. That's it.
There are other Android-based smartphones and tablets from Amazon, HTC, Motorola and Samsung that Ubuntu Touch could run on using community-build versions. This is a bit tricky, though. Read more about which devices are a "work in progress" here.
What are the technical specifications?
Ubuntu Touch requires a certain processor architecture, as well as a certain amount of memory and flash storage. Everything you'll want to know about technical specifications is available here.
How to install Ubuntu Touch
Devices must be flashed to use Ubuntu Touch. Flashing is also referred to as reprogramming. Anyone who wants to use Ubuntu Touch will need to flash or re-program their device to run it.
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to flash a phone to install and run Ubuntu Touch. It includes steps for desktop setup, backup, unlocking, setup, downloading and deploying the image, restoring, manual download, installation and more.
Caution: Flashing your phone may brick it. You can always restore it to Android by re-flashing it, but this will lose all of your data and apps. Good luck!
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