Ubuntu on Android becomes real


Recommended Posts

This, folks, is Ubuntu on Android. An honest-to-goodness, not janky or VNC'd, full build of the Linux distro powered by an Android smartphone.

We'll let that sink in.

ubuntu-1.pngCanonical -- the company behind Ubuntu -- today announced that it's bringing the full Ubuntu experience to multi-core Android phones in the same way that Motorola has attempted to extend its hardware to a more traditional computing experience with Webtop. That is, you'll connect your phone to a keyboard and display, and from there have full control over a proper Ubuntu experience, all powered by the phone. Because your Android smartphone is already running a Linux kernel, the marriage between your phone and Ubuntu is darn near seamless. The Ubuntu build actually shares the kernel from your phone and boots in parallel.

Canonical gave us a walkthrough of the experience, and it really couldn't be more simple. Dock the phone, and Ubuntu Unity fires up. Photos and videos are instantly available in the desktop experience.

But photos and videos are chump change. You've got full Chromium and Thunderbird apps. VLC. The Ubuntu Music Player. If it's on Ubuntu, it can be on your phone.

But the real power is in the ability to launch your Android apps within that desktop experience. Same goes for contacts. Or your network settings. Or your notifications. It's Android within an Ubuntu experience. And it's pretty slick.

As for hardware requirements, you'll need a dual-core smartphone with at least a 1GHz processor and 512MB of RAM. You'll need 2GB of storage free as well, plus USB host mode and HDMI out (MHL adapters will work, Canonical tells us), plus video acceleration. Older phones need not apply, basically.

It's worth repeating that this is your phone powering Ubuntu -- not the Ubuntu desktop on your phone. We're going to get a close look at Mobile World Congress next week in Barcelona, Spain. Stay tuned. For now, we've got Canonical's full press release after the break.

More:

Ubuntu

Ubuntu for Android at MWC - world?s first full-featured desktop on a docked smartphone

Carry less, do a lot more. All the productivity and apps of the full Ubuntu desktop, built into your Android phone.

London, 22nd February, 2012: Canonical today unveiled Ubuntu for Android, bringing the world?s favourite free desktop experience to multi-core Android smartphones docked with a keyboard and monitor. Use Android on the phone and Ubuntu as your desktop, both running simultaneously on the same device, with seamless sharing of contacts, messages and other common services.

The phone experience is pure Android - it?s a normal Android phone. When the device is connected to a computer screen, however, it launches a full Ubuntu desktop on the computer display. It?s exactly the same desktop used by millions of enterprise and home users on their Ubuntu PCs, and includes hundreds of certified applications, from office productivity to photography, video and music.

All data and services are shared between the Ubuntu and Android environments, which run simultaneously on the device. So Android applications such as contacts, telephony and SMS/MMS messaging are accessible from the Ubuntu interface. Indeed, all data on the smartphone can be accessed at any time, docked or not.

Ubuntu for Android gives mobile workers a company phone that is also their enterprise desktop. Government and private institutions have embraced Ubuntu on the desktop because of its ease of use, security, manageability, superb range of native applications and excellent support for web browsers like Chrome and Firefox. The desktop can also include Windows applications, using thin client and desktop virtualisation tools. Today?s IT departments commonly support a PC and at least one desktop phone for every employee. Many also provide and manage mobile phones. Ubuntu for Android presents a compelling solution to IT complexity by reducing that burden to a single device.

The first PC for the next billion knowledge workers could be a phone - but they won?t just want to use it as a handset. They will want all the flexibility and productivity of a full desktop, as well as the convenience of a smartphone on the move. Ubuntu for Android represents the first opportunity for handset makers and network operators to address this growth opportunity in emerging markets.

?The desktop is the killer-app for quad-core phones in 2012? says Mark Shuttleworth. ?Ubuntu for Android transforms your high-end phone into your productive desktop, whenever you need it?

Manufacturers targeting the corporate phone, as well as the next-generation enterprise desktop and thin clients can easily add Ubuntu for Android to their smartphones. The customized version of Ubuntu drops in cleanly alongside the rest of Android, and the necessary Android modifications are designed for easy integration. Hardware requirements include support for HDMI and USB, standard features in high-end handsets planned for late 2012.

Ubuntu for Android justifies the cost to enterprise customers of upgrading to higher bandwidth 4G connections and contracts. Cloud apps like Google Docs work best with a full desktop, and shine with the lower latency of LTE. Network operators can deliver their own branded applications and services as part of the Ubuntu desktop, in partnership with Canonical.

Canonical leads the traditional Linux ecosystem in support for the ARM architecture, having co-founded Linaro (linaro.org), the consortium dedicated to the unification of Linux on ARM and the simplification of Android integration and delivery. That industrial experience, combined with Canonical?s long-standing leadership in desktop Linux and deep relationships with global PC brands enables Canonical to deliver an ARM-optimised desktop tightly integrated with Android, on silicon from a range of ARM vendors.

http://www.androidce...btop-experience

Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1059366-ubuntu-on-android-becomes-real/
Share on other sites

it's not "ubuntu on android." that would imply that ubuntu is being emulated on top of the android OS. it's simply Ubuntu running on a smart phone.

Technically, "Ubuntu running on an Android-based smartphone." Considering it integrates with it.

Pretty neat, though my phone wouldn't be able to handle it. :(

it's not "ubuntu on android." that would imply that ubuntu is being emulated on top of the android OS. it's simply Ubuntu running on a smart phone.

"The Ubuntu build actually shares the kernel from your phone and boots in parallel."

I think the boots in parallel means just like a virtual machine... so i believe Its Ubuntu on Android

"The Ubuntu build actually shares the kernel from your phone and boots in parallel."

I think the boots in parallel means just like a virtual machine... so i believe Its Ubuntu on Android

It is Ubuntu on Android -- Ubuntu Phone is a separate thing.

And my god this looks amazing.

EDIT:

Just saw this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUXUjjg9qQ0

WE IN DA FUTURE NOW. I just came a bit.

Looks sweet but going by that video I'm slightly disappointed by how some of it works. It'd be nicer if the information it got from android. (Texts/contact info) opened up in native ubuntu apps instead of opening a very wonky android view which wrecks the flow of the ui altogether.

^ Well, it's Linux, it depends on when the source code gets released and if anyone's willing to do the work.

Btw, just how awesome was the end of the video when he plugged it in the TV and it switched to the Ubuntu TV interface? On a side note, that's how it should be done, similar interface, not the exact thing on all devices *cough* Windows 8 *cough*

^ Except not at all. Windows 8 looks and behaves simple on both phones and desktops, but so far the option to dock your phone to a screen and use a full Windows 8 hasn't been announced.

Btw, The Verge has a hands on: http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/21/2812424/ubuntu-for-android-hands-on

Really awesome.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • What people who support this position of LibreOffice do not understand is that EuroOffice is not made to appease the open source enthusiasts (I am also one) and evangelists. EuroOffice was made because some European companies wanted independence from Microsoft Office Suite, which is something installable on your computer. This move to independence was pushed by public institutions and governments in Europe, as well. Using a proprietary FORMAT as default, does not make you dependent on MS. The actual program does. A format can be changed with a simple update in the future in a dystopian world where MS would manipulate the format to lock others out. However, using MS Office proprietary format, guarantees that all the current documents used by companies, organizations, institutions, etc, will be compatible with EuroOffice and the suite will have the best chances at adoption, especially by slow moving organizations like governments and the public sector. It is as simple as that. For the same reason, even the UI is incredibly similar to MS Office. For the same reason (adoption) the choice was made to be open source. Not because EU particularly loves open source ideologically, but because it gives the best starting point to create trust in the project and amass developers and contributions to the project quickly, to catch up with proprietary projects like MS Office. I don't understand how people don't realize it.
    • How old is this tip? Seems 15-20 years old? Processor states for the CPU under Windows power options has been a thing for a long, long time. It certainly isn't new or hidden... Also, with laptops it doesn't make any difference what OS you are running, all of them are configured for battery longevity over performance, for obvious reasons.
    • I can't believe Starmer is still there...his party lost so big. He's a stubborn coot, but this is largely unenforceable, so I would imagine he'll be resigning soon. A key here is for parents to buy their kids phones sans Internet access--and set up the Internet at home, where mom and day can, you know, act like parents instead expecting the government to raise their kids.
    • EA launches in-game advertising platform for brands to "connect with audiences" by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe The gaming giant Electronic Arts is exploring more ways to inject real-life brands into its games. Announced today as EA Advertising, the new platform is attempting to make it easier for brands to reach out for deals with the company and put their products inside titles like EA Sports FC, Madden, NHL, Skate, or The Sims. EA revealed that its EA Sports side of the company brings in "hundreds of millions of players across console, PC, and mobile" every year. Fan engagement of these titles was also touted as being "extraordinary," with 23,000 NFL seasons worth of games being played in Madden NFL daily, while EA Sports FC sees over a billion matches a day. “Players come to EA’s games and live experiences every day to play, watch, create and connect,” said David Tinson, Chief Experiences Officer at Electronic Arts. “That gives brands a meaningful opportunity to show up in ways that add value and respect the player experience, while maintaining authenticity in the worlds our teams are building. With EA Advertising, we’re helping brands become part of those moments in ways that are relevant and built for players.” Using the new program EA Advertising, brands will be able to inject their products into games in real-time via dynamic placement. EA says partners will have access to everything from stadium signage in sports games and targeted adverts to in-game content custom-made for the brands. These are described as additions designed to "enhance, not disrupt" experiences. "In these interactive gameplay environments, brands become part of the game itself, reflecting how players engage with advertising in real-world contexts," adds the company "Brands can activate across live environments, tailoring placements to meet campaign objectives, and update campaigns with ongoing optimization informed by aggregated engagement insights." Current real-world brand partnerships EA has built into its games include Visa (EA Sports FC and College Football), Lowe's (EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, and College Football), Red Bull (EA SPORTS FC), Xfinity and Peacock (EA SPORTS FC), and Mountain Dew’s (College Football).
    • Will be surprised if there isn't a new ver of youtube just for labelled educational content
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Jeroen Wilms earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      rolfus earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Leroy Jethro Gibbs earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Conversation Starter
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • One Month Later
      AndreaB earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      512
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      204
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      136
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      91
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      85
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!