It has been a while since
Ubuntu announced their Ubuntu Phone OS. This time their project Ubuntu
Edge is for an all-in-one device creating a hybrid combining a smartphone and a
desktop PC. The Ubuntu Edge dual-boots the Ubuntu phone
OS and Android. The Ubuntu phone OS allows the phone to be converted into a
fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC using a docking station. The OS does not
need high spec phone because it does not use JAVA Virtual Machine. The
performance overhead is kept low and the apps run native. Ubuntu offers navigation
improvements with simple natural swiping gestures from the edges of the
screen: open favourite apps on the left edge, switch
between open apps from the right, and use the system and app toolbars at the
top and bottom respectively.
The Ubuntu Edge is made
from textured amorphous metal with 4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal
display, a material so hard only diamond could scratch. It is designed to use
the fastest multi-core CPU at the time of
production, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. The phone benefits from dual-LTE chip for using 4G Networks, GPS,
accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, 8mp low-light rear
camera and 2mp front camera. The battery is Silicon-anode Li-Ion giving an
extra amount of energy. The Ubuntu Edge promises a powerful platform for $695
and delivery is estimated May 2014. The phone can be purchased only at
Indiegogo.
The Ubuntu Edge project is run by Canonical who is
seeking to crowdfund a goal of $32,000,000 by August 21, 2013 so that the
project can materialise. The project proves to be of big interest breaking crowdfunding
records. It is the fastest project to hit $2 million (7hrs 59mins), and the
highest ever 24-hour total ($3.45 million). However there are only few days
left for the campaign and so far it has raised a little less than a third of
the amount. That makes it highly unlikely to succeed, nevertheless projects
like this point at where the mobile development could go.
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