Ubuntu Phone

[Frerk]

So I just read this about Ubuntu's fundraiser for their Edge phone, which servers as a dual boot Android/Ubuntu desktop device.

I actually kind of like this idea, but it might be a bit... unpractical. I'm not sure how it'll work out in terms of hardware etc. If they ever finish their fundraiser and develop such a phone, would anybody consider getting it?

[Iain Keers]

What advantages does Ubuntu have over android though.

[Frerk]

What advantages does Ubuntu have over android though.

No you appear to use Android as mobile platform, but you can dual boot into Ubuntu and use it as a regular computer, apparently.

[Jegarmister]

I think its a good idea from Ubuntu, however I highly doubt that the don't want go get into the "phone business". It's typical of Ubuntu to say "we want to move forward, we don't want to be in the race", they want to distinguish themselves as being innovators for the business not a competitor to it.

Which is a smart marketing move, I'll grant them. They also say that they where working with the "phone companies", what does he mean by that? Is Apple + Samsung working with them to get Edge on the market? Unlikely.

Why only supporters can get the phone in the first place is really two things:

1.They really can't afford to put this phone with this type of hardware onto the market by themselves.

2. To make it feel exclusive 

If this phone would make it to the ordinary market I don't think many would buy it due to Ubuntu not being as well known in the world. What they'ed done essentially is to ask the people "How many want to buy this?", then they have an accurate number on how many they will sell.

They won't however get to their goal at 32 million, there are only 6 days left, and they only have 10 million raised atm. "This campaign will only receive funds if at least $32,000,000 is raised by its deadline. Funding duration: July 22, 2013 - August 21, 2013 (11:59pm PT)."

So it won't happen anyway. So I guess that random people just gave 10 million to Ubuntu for no reason.

[Darkmantle]

This is a brilliant idea and I'm sure that even if they don't get the funds, it won't stop them, merely delay them (and then hopefully by then it will be even better).

I personally love Ubuntu, in terms of Linux distributions it's definitely my favourite for when you need a desktop GUI or want all the full linux experience (not so good if you want a basic installation without any extras). The ability to use it as a phone and a desktop is an interesting idea and would be brilliant, just carry your computer around in your pocket and plug it into any monitor and keyboard, it's perfect for people like me who use certain software for development that we don't want to have to install everywhere we go.

I hope this does happen 

[Iain Keers]

I don't understand when you would have a keyboard and monitor but not an actual windows desktop.

[Butjam]

I think the market is probably not big enough to facilitate this. They'd have to produce a phone that lots of people want that also happens to have this functionality to be able to afford to get it out to the people that could actually make use of it

[BaskB]

I don't understand when you would have a keyboard and monitor but not an actual windows desktop.

Business Presentations....

Why carry a laptop when I can carry a phone.

Field Service/Offshore/Frequent Traveller..... (will apply differently)

My role requires lots of Air travel (weight limits) and additional often transport to the vessels are via Heli, anyone whose flown with Heli's knows there are generally VERY strict limits applied to luggage. A phone PC would be an amazing weight saver, already many in the industry use Tablets but these often have limitiations and of course are larger/heavier than a phone.

The boats I work on have numerous PC's, Keyboards/Monitors avaliable BUT not being my company IT procedures mean I need to carry my own company laptop presently

I'll agree its not a massive market unless the Business idea really takes off with it.

Oh and of course, critical applications for MAJORITY of businesses are run on Linux based servers. Windows really today is more of a user thing (due to us all now being so used to it as it was the only thing really on the market for years), Linux is the commercial market. With Steam now on Linux (Ubuntu), I'm almost at a stage where I can chuck Windows out of my home never to see it again, that day I've long prayed for!

[Iain Keers]

That seems like an extremely niche market... "for people who can't use a memory stick"

[BaskB]

That seems like an extremely niche market... "for people who can't use a memory stick"

Interesting....

Not sure about IT policy where you work, but most companies I've ever worked for would NEVER allow an outsider to plug in a memory stick into thier network.

Memory sticks also have no CPU/APU/Sound capability, which from a field point of view are certainly required.

[Darkmantle]

I don't understand when you would have a keyboard and monitor but not an actual windows desktop.

What about when you need to drop into a public place to use a computer? And you can't install the software you need? Would be helpful when on holiday and don't want to take your laptop. Or even when you're at someone else's house, etc.

It's not a case of not having a computer, it's a case of being able to use your own computer, or more importantly, your own software/files/preferences wherever you are. And you can't install all software onto a memory stick either... PLUS the fact that most people I know don't have Ubuntu and I prefer using it for development and accessing remote servers (SSH on Terminal is easier than PuTTY).

Basically think of it more on the software level than the hardware level. I could see this being used by developers and IT professionals in general easily since it solves the OS/Software limitations easily.

[Jegarmister]

What people really want is the power of a desktop, with the mobility of a smartphone.
Current smartphones aren't really powerful enough to outweigh the laptop, for example the Edge is one of the few phones(if not the first one(i'm not that familiar with smartphones)) that has 4 GB of RAM. Nowadays I rarely see a laptop with less than 6 GB, and in all other perspective its more powerful than a smartphone.

But in mobility smarphone floweres both laptops and desktops in the ass. My chassi weighs 22 kg, so me moving that around like a smartphone in my pocket, is never gonna happen. The laptop however has shitty performance compared to a desktop, they overheat constantly, and the battery life is always shit.

A laptop to me is just a retarded desktop.

In conclusion if I can quote myself:

What people really want is the power of a desktop, with the mobility of a smartphone.

[Iain Keers]

It is a small puny computer that you can plug a monitor into...

[Darkmantle]

It is a small puny computer that you can plug a monitor into...

That you can use as a phone too. Yes. It's like a smaller mac mini, that is also a phone.

I fail to see why people would not like it to be honest.

[Struggle Snuggles]

It appears to be cheaper than an S4 if they get the pricing right. I wouldn't be hugely interested in running Ubuntu on it, but it's a very decent looking android smartie that has the backup of being able to hook up and type away if i need serious