The touchscreen Developer Preview version of forthcoming mobile operating system Ubuntu will be published on Thursday 21st February, enabling mobile developers with a Galaxy Nexus or Nexus 4 smartphone to run the new platform.
Canonical, the business team behind the Ubuntu project, will also be ‘flashing’ phones to Ubuntu at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona from 25th to 28th February.
When a mobile-friendly version of Ubuntu is released in October 2013, the same code is expected to deliver a mobile, tablet, desktop or TV experience depending on the device it’s installed on. Future versions of Ubuntu will also adapt when docked with peripherals, offering a PC-style experience on a high-spec smartphone connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Pat McGowan, Director of Engineering Product Development at Canonical, said “Our platform supports a wide range of screen sizes and resolutions. Developers who have experience bringing up phone environments will find it relatively easy to port Ubuntu to current handsets. We look forward to adding support for additional devices for everyday testing and experimentation.”
[Ubuntu for smartphones]