[ubuntu] The Ubuntu Smartphone

[DanielRF]

You can download and install it already on supported devices, but as it's far from finished I wouldn't try it quite yet. The instructions are at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Touch

[Rawns]

Thanks for the info.

[Arthur]

Wow! This is an ambitious project. To produce the Ubuntu Edge smartphone Canonical need to raise $32 million through IndieGoGo.

 

With the Ubuntu Edge, your phone is also your PC. Simply connect the Edge to any HDMI monitor to start working immediately on the full Ubuntu desktop, with all the usual desktop applications. It's totally integrated, so you can access all the phone's files from the desktop and even make calls and send messages.

 

Technical Specs

• Dual boot Ubuntu mobile OS and Android
  
• Fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
  
• Fastest multi-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
  
• 4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal display
  
• 8mp low-light rear camera, 2mp front camera
  
• Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
  
• GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
  
• Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
  
• MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
  
• Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
  
• 64 x 9 x 124mm
  

 

http://i.imgur.com/4kwV2Lr.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/2pZmQtM.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/cAcBVNQ.jpg

 

 

 

Edited July 22, 2013 by Arthur

[localzuk]

They're insane if they think they'll raise that much cash in 31 days. Not to mention thinking people will pay $830 for one. With import taxes and the like, it'd cost us about £800 or so - double the price of all their competitors. Edited July 22, 2013 by localzuk

[CyberNerd]

They're insane if they think they'll raise that much cash in 31 days. Not to mention thinking people will pay $830 for one. With import taxes and the like, it'd cost us about £800 or so - double the price of all their competitors.

 

It says here £394 pledge on the first day or £532 after that to get one:

Canonical seeks $32m to make Ubuntu Edge smartphone | News | PC Pro

[localzuk]

Those prices are direct USD to GBP conversions. Add on VAT, import duty etc and that price shoots up.

[CyberNerd]

Those prices are direct USD to GBP conversions. Add on VAT, import duty etc and that price shoots up.

 

I don't think that is the case because if you look at the indiegogo site it clearly says you can have on for $600 with free shipping to UK.

I guess excise could add duty to that but I somehow don't think it's going to be £800 like you claim.

[localzuk]

I have imported electronic goods from the US before, and the extra cost can be significant.

 

For example, you should pay a minimum of VAT at 20% on it.

 

So, that would put it up to around £680.

 

Potentially, as it includes GPS capability, it could be subject to a further £21 in duty as well (devices with GPS functionality have a duty rate applied).

 

So, ok, not £800. £700.

[CyberNerd]

I'm still quite tempted. They've "sold" over 1000 of the 5000 available at that price.

I recon it would resell quite well on ebay when released as they will be very rare.

[CyberNerd]

ok I pledged £400. plus 20% duty or whatever should be around £500.

Either I'm going to be very sorry or I'll make £300 out of it.

Knowing my luck it will be the former.

[Arthur]

They're insane if they think they'll raise that much cash in 31 days.

They're off to a good start. They just need another 34,652 people to buy the $830 smartphone.

 

http://i.imgur.com/mFuiZEZ.png

 

I think I'll wait until version two, which will hopefully be cheaper, have better specs and potentially less issues. The current model lacks 802.11ac WiFi (which the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 already have) and the MHL port is limited to a max resolution of 1920x1080.

[rich_tech]

its an interesting project there, I think its a very impressive forward thinking thing that they have done I feel, especially if it takes off with business users.

 

Makes me want to hold off when my current phone expires in Feb next year now and see what happens with a lot of stuff coming out, I quite fancy this or the Nexus 5 when that makes an appearance instead of apple.

 

Even the Nokia 1020 looks impressive stuff to me though this renewal.

Edited July 23, 2013 by rich_tech

[tmcd35]

I like the idea, not sure they're going the right way about it. I can see a market for a smartphone type device that runs 2-3 VM's, plugs into a station at work to become your main pc/laptop - perhaps managed by something like Spacewalk, plugs into a dock at home connecting to your TV to become a mediacenter/games console, plugs into a larger screen to become a tablet/laptop, etc.

 

If I was them I'd concentrate on the business world first. Such a device with good central management tools and LibreOffice could take off since MS seem to be taking their eye of the ball at bit...

[Rawns]

If I had the cash, I'd love to sign up for one!

[CyberNerd]

When checking how much money they had pledged I noticed there is another 'perk' - two for $1400. Not quite as good as the $600 deal yesterday though.

The 5000 available yesterday 'sold' quickly and there are only 2000 available at two for $1400 so you'd have to be quick.

 

I had another thought that since Canonical is based in UK there may not be an import duty???

 

Ubuntu Edge | Indiegogo

[SYNACK]

Wow! This is an ambitious project. To produce the Ubuntu Edge smartphone Canonical need to raise $32 million through IndieGoGo.

 

 

Looks a hell of a lot like a mini MS Surface design wise to me.

[Arthur]

Not quite as good as the $600 deal yesterday though.

I think Canonical really need to sell it for $600 if they are to meet their target. $830 is too much for an impulse purchase IMO.

 

More price points were added earlier today...

 

http://i.imgur.com/sIUVSHS.png

 

Looks a hell of a lot like a mini MS Surface design wise to me.

That's was my first thought too.

[Arthur]

Reddit AMA with Mark Shuttleworth...

 

www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1j166z/hi_im_mark_shuttleworth_founder_of_ubuntu/

[CAM]

I like the idea, not sure they're going the right way about it. I can see a market for a smartphone type device that runs 2-3 VM's, plugs into a station at work to become your main pc/laptop - perhaps managed by something like Spacewalk, plugs into a dock at home connecting to your TV to become a mediacenter/games console, plugs into a larger screen to become a tablet/laptop, etc.

 

If I was them I'd concentrate on the business world first. Such a device with good central management tools and LibreOffice could take off since MS seem to be taking their eye of the ball at bit...

 

How useful would this actually be though? Your typical smartphone loses half it's charge if you just sneeze in it's direction so goodness knows what running a virtual machine would do to the battery power. You'd have to take the charger with you everywhere you go.

[CyberNerd]

The hope is that the silicon anode battery will help with this, and that it will use a regular power source when used in desktop mode.

It's worth reading the link that @Arthur posted where Shuttleworth has answered a lot of questions about edge.

[CAM]

Sadly it is blocked due to "Tasteless/Illegal/Questionable" which with Reddit is probably an accurate category.

[CyberNerd]

Looks like it won't make it.

 

Using Kickstarter data to predict Ubuntu Edge's success | OpenAnalytics

 

 

 

[Arthur]

Looks like it won't make it.

Bloomberg have pledged $80,000. Just $23,520,104 left to go (and 14 days remaining)!!!

 

At least there's a plan B if Canonical do not reach their target.

 

If we don't reach our target then we will focus only on commercially available handsets and there will not be an Ubuntu Edge.

[Arthur]

Ubuntu Edge looks doomed, but Canonical cuts cost of making the phone « Ars Technica

 

After an initial flurry of interest and financial pledges, crowdfunding for Canonical's Ubuntu Edge phone has slowed to a crawl. There's currently $8.7 million raised toward a goal of $32 million, and it's more than halfway through the Indiegogo campaign. Even the late boost that crowdfunding projects often get isn't likely to be enough.

 

But Canonical still has a few tricks up its sleeve. Today, the company said, "we've been negotiating with several major component suppliers who are keen to see the Edge reach its goal and drive the adoption of new mobile technologies. This is one of the key benefits of keeping some of the core specifications open: as a result of these negotiations, we can now produce the same state-of-the-art device for less than we originally estimated."

 

Because of that lower cost of manufacturing, Canonical is fixing the price of the Edge at $695 and eliminating the limits on quantities available. A one-year subscription to LastPass, a password management service, is included in the price. The Edge price was $600 for first-day backers, with any backers thereafter initially asked to pledge $830 to reserve a phone. Canonical quickly introduced new pricing levels at $625, $675, $725, and $775, but it placed limits on how many phones could be purchased at each level.

 

With the price now fixed and no limits on buying, Canonical said that "anyone who’s already pledged more than $695 for the phone will be offered a refund of the difference." The company claims that Ubuntu Edge will be exclusive to the Indiegogo campaign and not "available to buy anywhere outside of this campaign, even at launch."

[Arthur]

Perhaps Canonical should have put the Edge on Kickstarter?

 

Indie no-go: only one in ten projects gets fully funded on Kickstarter's biggest rival « The Verge