Canonical has announced Ubuntu for Phones and Ubuntu for Tablets at the beginning of the year, with the goal of bringing Ubuntu operating system to mobile devices, and transform high-end devices into the new PC when they are connected to an HDMI display. It turns out mobile phone manufacturers may not be ready to take the risk launching a completely new high-end platform to the market, so Canonical decided to leverage the power of crowdfunding but launching an Indiegogo campaign for Ubuntu Edge, a smartphone with hardware specs like no others, capable of running both Android and Ubuntu, and fully replacing your PC when docked.
Ubuntu Edge Preliminary/Targeted Specifications:
- SoC – “Fastest Multicore Processor Available”
- System Memory – At least 4 GB RAM
- Storage – 128 GB flash
- Display – 4.5″ display with the best balance of resolution (720p), dynamic range and color accuracy, covered with sapphire crystal glass (Unscratchable, unless you happen to carry diamond in your pocket).
- Camera – 8MP low-light rear camera and 2MP front-facing camera
- Connectivity – 802.11n dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual antenna LTE, NFC, GPS
- Sensors – Accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
- Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
- MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
- Battery – Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery (See Nexeon for details about the technology. Canonical did not mention Nexeon at all, but that’s the first site I found with some informations)
- Dimensions – 64 x 9 x 124mm
With this type of specs, you should not be surprised it does not come cheap. Early adopters can get it for $600 (first day only), and if you miss the window, you’ll have to pledge $830 to eventually receive the device in May 2014, if there are no delays. The price may seem high, but it’s not that much pricier than high-end Samsung or Apple smartphones, and you’ll be able to completely ditch your PC. To make that project become a reality, Canonical needs volume, and they’ll need $32 million (equivalent to about 40,000 phones) for the project to go ahead, AFAIK that would the biggest ever successful crowdfunding if they reach that target.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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best campaign ever 😉
I suppose the 128gb is indeed an sdd or flash
they’re getting cheaper and cheaper.
cant see that is worth the money. two/three separate devices to achieve the same things comes in at far less without much excess baggage.
After numerous price changes, the device is now available for $695 for unlimited quantities – http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge/x/1760545?c=activity
It will still be tough to get to $32 million.