Ubuntu operating system turns Android phones into computers

Ubuntu for Android turns smartphones into computers. / Canonical

Canonical, the company that makes Linux-based operating system Ubuntu, announced new software coming to Android phones that will turn smartphones into computers.

Ubuntu is free software that is an alternative to computer operating systems like Microsoft's Windows or Apple's OS X.

Ubuntu for phones is a mobile operating system that can be compared to Google's Android or Apple's iOS.

Ubuntu for Android is software that runs alongside Google's mobile operating system. Users will have the option to plug the device into a monitor and keyboard, which will turn the phone into a computer.

There may be new possibilities for quality, affordable computing by turning people's smartphones into computers by using Ubuntu for Android.

Many hardware companies already use Ubuntu software to produce cheap computers. The non-profit organization One Laptop per Child Association uses Ubuntu's software to create affordable laptops that are distributed to children in developing nations.

Canonical also plans to cross integrate Ubuntu software across computers, smartphones and TVs. According to CNET, Ubuntu smartphones will be "ready for retail" in the fourth quarter of 2013.

CNET will go hands-on with the devices at the International Consumer Electronics Show, which runs from Jan. 8 - 11.

[jblmaglite]

You seem to have confused two completely different product announcements. The announcement you refer to in your title is a year old; the announcement you briefly allude to in the third paragraph is news. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_for_Android for more information.

[Fred_Mertz]

Android smartphones are microcomputers! Duh!

[hengels2]

Ubuntu for Phones can't be compared directly to iOS or Android. It is more like a better version of Windows 8. Ubuntu for Pones extends a strong desktop OS to mobile devices. With that Ubuntu covers with one OS the whole computing landscape from mobile devices and mini PCs over tablets, desktops, servers up to super-computers. That is unique. As a desktop OS Ubuntu is fantastic. I converted 3 years ago from Windows to Ubuntu and that was the best thing I ever did in my IT career. I totally love the elegance, speed and reliability of Ubuntu. Having the same system on mobile devices is fulfilling my dreams.

[ricegf-2009]

I've used a wide variety of operating systems - from CP/M to DOS to Unix to Mac OS 1 (!) through X to Windows versions 1 (!) through 7 to Ubuntu, and Ubuntu is among the best to date. A single device that serves as phone and desktop would be a major advance over anything else on the market. Looking forward to this!

[JimRovertos]

That's an excellent and revolutionary idea based on Linux and opensource. I wish the best! If it succeeds then there will be major disruption for good!