Don’t expect Ubuntu phones from major carriers until 2015

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

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[Deleted member 192806]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

 

[jdale]

Ostracus[/url]":faugjafo]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

As a current WebOS user, I'm just what he has in mind.

 

[marcopolomint]

Seeing other all-in-one devices on Kickstarter such as the Tango or the IcePC, that promise to be _the_ solution to the desktop by being the heart of a tablet or a modular device that connects to a dock, just makes me want an Ubuntu Edge more. Sad face.

 

[ws3]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

... and who likes to compile their own kernels and fiddle with configuration files when stuff goes wrong.

 

[M-S-G]

Or don't wait for anyone and make it work yourself.

 

[null_interface]

Given that some huge percentage of apps are just custom frontends to websites and indeed offer no additional functionality, the lack of apps may not necessarily be a bad thing.

 

[thebonafortuna]

Can anybody speak to the projected ease/difficulty of porting Android apps into the Canonical app store?

I would normally not see the need for another Linux distro in the mobile space. But Ron's recent piece on Android's push into a non-open source model has me wondering whether there might actually be something to this.

 

[ws3]

thebonafortuna[/url]":1ilvvjsj]Can anybody speak to the projected ease/difficulty of porting Android apps into the Canonical app store?

Shouldn't be a problem. Android has Dalvik. Plain Linux has GCJ.

Spoiler

Hahahhaa.. Whahaha.. heehee.. *whew*... just kidding.

 

[Merkoth]

ws3[/url]":1mze5ga9]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

... and who likes to compile their own kernels and fiddle with configuration files when stuff goes wrong.

Is this really a thing that happens to people? Last time I was forced to compile a kernel was many, many years ago.

Edit: Oh, from your other comment you look like a cute troll. Please carry on.

 

[ws3]

When the phone and tablet work is done we will converge the desktop

A phone interface for the desktop? Really Ubuntu?

 

[beebee]

Ostracus[/url]":3w1w87wh]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

Except BlackBerry BB10 can run Android apps.

BlackBerry's approach to Android is similar to WINE. But in the future, as processors get more powerful, Ubuntu can simply run Android in a VM.

 

[ws3]

beebee[/url]":1zjaopbm]

Ostracus[/url]":1zjaopbm]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

Except BlackBerry BB10 can run Android apps.

BlackBerry's approach to Android is similar to WINE. But in the future, as processors get more powerful, Ubuntu can simply run Android in a VM.

Ubuntu can run BB10 in a VM and then you can run your Android apps on the virtualized BB10 on Ubuntu.

 

[Sajuuk]

ws3[/url]":1b7ymu61]

When the phone and tablet work is done we will converge the desktop

A phone interface for the desktop? Really Ubuntu?

You don't seem to understand the unity paradigm switch between desktop and mobile, they're not the same interface

 

[Clearflower]

Here's something I noticed: The target audience of this phone are the upper classes in society - they aren't like FirefoxOS, whose target was mainly developing countries. Canonical wants their phone software to be a luxury product in itself, not a cheap and unconfigured work people must always fix with the command line when something is wrong. (Like the most commonly misunderstood conceptions people have in linux distros)

The question might be, though, is if there's an smaller OEM who's willing to create an experience that canonical would want to have, rather than make just another cheap phone for niche market. I hope the first OEM they have doesn't try to screw up their sense of luxury in the OS.

edit: For those who disagree, remember the specs of the ubuntu edge, and the 80,000 dollar phone packages they had for crowdfunding. Not to mention their server service packages are expensive too.

 

[Merkoth]

ws3[/url]":ex5usnbd]

Merkoth[/url]":ex5usnbd]

ws3[/url]":ex5usnbd]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

... and who likes to compile their own kernels and fiddle with configuration files when stuff goes wrong.

Is this really a thing that happens to people? Last time I was forced to compile a kernel was many, many years ago.

I don't know. I don't use Linux anymore because I grew to dislike compiling kernels and fiddling with configuration files.

Well, then I'm very glad you decided to add your non-informed opinion to this thread. You've done Ars a great service today.

 

[TimtheTaxMan]

Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FOSS, you might as well stick with Android. Otherwise you just have another Linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

 

[heartburnkid]

ws3[/url]":6sv5o3rh]

When the phone and tablet work is done we will converge the desktop

A phone interface for the desktop? Really Ubuntu?

They didn't say they were going to build around the same interface. Who do they look like? Microsoft?

 

[Wickwick]

So, the ideal Ubuntu smartphone user is one who doesn't need a smartphone?

 

[Shyatic]

This is what benefits Microsoft in a way... don't need a lot of apps? Need a really functional phone? Get a sub $100 Nokia that has still got great build quality and works amazingly fast even with low "specs."

In fact, it's already benefitted Microsoft/Nokia, as the majority of their sales are from the low end phones. Unless the Ubuntu phone is really amazing for a cheap price, I don't see a huge benefit.

 

[ws3]

[trollhide=off-topic trolling]

Merkoth[/url]":cgyl138i]

ws3[/url]":cgyl138i]

Merkoth[/url]":cgyl138i]

ws3[/url]":cgyl138i]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

... and who likes to compile their own kernels and fiddle with configuration files when stuff goes wrong.

Is this really a thing that happens to people? Last time I was forced to compile a kernel was many, many years ago.

I don't know. I don't use Linux anymore because I grew to dislike compiling kernels and fiddling with configuration files.

Well, then I'm very glad you decided to add your non-informed opinion to this thread. You've done Ars a great service today.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/271779/h ... ard-driver

"I was trying to install OpenCL using instructions from here: http://orbigo.net/2012/07/installing-nv ... 12-04-lts/

I dropped down to a shell using ctrl+alt+F1, and stopped the lightdm service. Then I ran the file from nVidia. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to install the driver that came with the package. When I tried to restart lightdm after this, my system showed the ubuntu splash screen and then froze up with a black screen with a blinking cursor..."

Just like the good old days![/trollhide]

 

[Sajuuk]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":1qu9grxw]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FLOSS, you might as well stick with android. Otherwise you just have another linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

Well, they're running on a qt framework for apps which would presumably mean better consistency and performance, but that's hardly enough to be a large enough factor when Android has become lighter and lighter. The other factor is the unique interface and UX, which while interesting to use, also isn't enough to sway most consumers. In the end the point is mobile is the new software frontier and everyone wants a presence, whether successful or not

 

[Tundro Walker]

I thought past articles had Shuttleworth saying they'd roll these phones out by 2014.

I guess there's a gap in time between...

(2014) "The phone's ready!"

..and...

(2015) "A carrier has finally decided to give it a shot."

 

[TimtheTaxMan]

Sajuuk[/url]":rwzqwity]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":rwzqwity]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FLOSS, you might as well stick with android. Otherwise you just have another linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

Well, they're running on a qt framework for apps which would presumably mean better consistency and performance, but that's hardly enough to be a large enough factor when Android has become lighter and lighter. The other factor is the unique interface and UX, which while interesting to use, also isn't enough to sway most consumers. In the end the point is mobile is the new software frontier and everyone wants a presence, whether successful or not

You are completely right. The app ecosystem is what matters most as Microsoft has seen. Ubuntu might have had a market in the hardcore FOSS crowd, but there will no doubt be binary blobs all over the place as there has yet to be any truly 100% open tablet OS.

 

[Arlondiluthel]

ws3[/url]":2l9yrd5g]

beebee[/url]":2l9yrd5g]

Ostracus[/url]":2l9yrd5g]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

Except BlackBerry BB10 can run Android apps.

BlackBerry's approach to Android is similar to WINE. But in the future, as processors get more powerful, Ubuntu can simply run Android in a VM.

Ubuntu can run BB10 in a VM and then you can run your Android apps on the virtualized BB10 on Ubuntu.

All that is needed is an Android app that is virtualized Ubuntu, and then the circle will be complete...

 

[Caffarius]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":zd17wfra]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FOSS, you might as well stick with Android. Otherwise you just have another Linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

That's basically what I want, "just another Linux based smartphone" but without the all seeing hand of Google in the mix.

 

[TimtheTaxMan]

Caffarius[/url]":1zlva0ot]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":1zlva0ot]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FOSS, you might as well stick with Android. Otherwise you just have another Linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

That's basically what I want, "just another Linux based smartphone" but without the all seeing hand of Google in the mix.

Canonical doesn't have the best track record there either, but even if you trust them, how do you know who else is or isn't watching with all the blobs in the code.

In fact, I suspect the main reason we haven't seen a single 100% open tablet/mobile offering is due to providers wanting access and control over what you do with your phone.

 

[esoel_]

jdale[/url]":178lg1tz]

Ostracus[/url]":178lg1tz]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

Buy a BB.

As a current WebOS user, I'm just what he has in mind.

Or a Windows Phone... looks like they are launching in a crowded market...

 

[Caffarius]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":11k3e4op]Canonical doesn't have the best track record there either, but even if you trust them, how do you know who else is or isn't watching with all the blobs in the code.

In fact, I suspect the main reason we haven't seen a single 100% open tablet/mobile offering is due to providers wanting access and control over what you do with your phone.

As an actual Linux distro I suspect it'll be a little easier to install things like gcc and iptables in a "traditional" admin sense. At that point I don't really care what Canonical puts in it unless the binary drivers themselves are trojans. I suspect the first portion I'll have to replace is their UI.

Being able to write a script that works at work/home and on my phone is a killer feature for me. I suspect not everyone will be on that same bandwagon.

 

[Voo42]

ws3[/url]":3u551iko]

Merkoth[/url]":3u551iko]

ws3[/url]":3u551iko]

Merkoth[/url]":3u551iko]

ws3[/url]":3u551iko]

Canonical: Ideal Ubuntu phone user is someone who doesn't need a lot of apps.

... and who likes to compile their own kernels and fiddle with configuration files when stuff goes wrong.

Is this really a thing that happens to people? Last time I was forced to compile a kernel was many, many years ago.

I don't know. I don't use Linux anymore because I grew to dislike compiling kernels and fiddling with configuration files.

Well, then I'm very glad you decided to add your non-informed opinion to this thread. You've done Ars a great service today.

http://askubuntu.com/questions/271779/h ... ard-driver

"I was trying to install OpenCL using instructions from here: http://orbigo.net/2012/07/installing-nv ... 12-04-lts/

I dropped down to a shell using ctrl+alt+F1, and stopped the lightdm service. Then I ran the file from nVidia. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to install the driver that came with the package. When I tried to restart lightdm after this, my system showed the ubuntu splash screen and then froze up with a black screen with a blinking cursor..."

Just like the good old days!

Yes I'm sure the average user generally spends all their time installing beta versions of Cuda SDKs and drivers.

Reminds me of the time I BSODed Windows (well it ran in a VM, not that tragic) by getting some parameters in a script for the Kernel debugger wrong - no idea how an average user could ever use windows with it crashing all the time!

 

[Tyhudg]

To me this seems like a phone that is designed to do everything. I think it is completely pointless though. A phone that can do everything is going to be great at a couple things and terrible at most stuff. Not to mention it is going to be released into a completely saturated high end market.

 

[Scorp1us]

What? You all are crazy, respectfully.

The Ubuntu Phone is not about a phone. It's about a ubiquitous scalable device that is your computer. When they say there won't be apps, they mean phone-specific apps. There will be all the linux apps - LibreOffice, Inkscape, etc, that you can run by docking your phone with mouse/keyboard and monitor. This is something that no other platform can do. This is possible because the code bases are open source and can be packaged for Arm on the Linux kernel, as easily as your desktop.

As for porting apps
Android - no luck
BB10 - Yes, BB10 uses QML, UP uses QML!
iOS - no luck

 

[Sandwichman]

Canonical has been teasing and teasing about an Ubuntu phone for ages now. The excitement has finally worn off. It's going to be a complete flop if it ever does come to fruition. Another line of products from Canonical that never comes, like Ubuntu TV and so on.

 

[EmeraldArcana]

I would think that the ideal Ubuntu phone user is one who would want to create his or her own apps. You know, leveraging the whole open-source platform thing and all. Unless Android's already got that cornered.

 

[Sajuuk]

Scorp1us[/url]":b2c93aaw]What? You all are crazy, respectfully.

The Ubuntu Phone is not about a phone. It's about a ubiquitous scalable device that is your computer. When they say there won't be apps, they mean phone-specific apps. There will be all the linux apps - LibreOffice, Inkscape, etc, that you can run by docking your phone with mouse/keyboard and monitor. This is something that no other platform can do. This is possible because the code bases are open source and can be packaged for Arm on the Linux kernel, as easily as your desktop.

As for porting apps
Android - no luck
BB10 - Yes, BB10 uses QML, UP uses QML!
iOS - no luck

The ultimate goal of convergence is true, but it still has to be a good phone experience before, you know...it's adopted

 

[Chord]

Caffarius[/url]":33uuhjdj]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":33uuhjdj]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FOSS, you might as well stick with Android. Otherwise you just have another Linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

That's basically what I want, "just another Linux based smartphone" but without the all seeing hand of Google in the mix.

Agreed linux without Google

 

[Deleted member 1]

Ubuntu Edge will be perfect once a phone a Core i5 performance and 4GB RAM comes out. Unfortunately that's far away. I really hope this project succeeds but it feels like Ubuntu already threw away all the momentum they've gained. By the time they can put this out there it will be blocked by patent trolls. This is really disappointing. :-(

 

[vogelabv]

null_interface[/url]":fhvdjy17]Given that some huge percentage of apps are just custom frontends to websites and indeed offer no additional functionality, the lack of apps may not necessarily be a bad thing.

Exactly. If they have a web browser that functions well, the apps don't matter as much. For instance, I could see some clever scripts utilizing Google Drive/Gmail to run from the web, with minimal feature loss.

Of course having apps would be useful. But having unity interface that extends from your phone, to a monitor would be pretty spectacular. As a consultant, wouldn't it be nice not to have to carry around a laptop anymore? I just have my phone and a minihdmi converter and I have everything I need with me.

 

[StarKruzr]

TimtheTaxMan[/url]":dc4ibp35]Not that I'm opposed to this, but I fail to see the point. Unless the phone is 100% FOSS, you might as well stick with Android. Otherwise you just have another Linux based smartphone with way fewer apps and no greater freedom or transparency.

There are a couple of points.

* It will be faster than Android on the same hardware in the same way that iOS or Windows Phone is, because it will be running executable code rather than interpreted.

* There is an existing, large, enthusiastic developer and software base for Linux.

That performance-per-clock difference might be worth it all by itself.