The Android developer community has taken a real liking to Ubuntu Touch, porting the build to their favorite devices and then releasing it for their fans. While there are builds for the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon and some of the devices listed below, there is still lots of work to be done, but that can be said about Ubuntu Touch in general. 

The developer preview build that was released last week runs smoothly (hands-on video here), except for the fact that there really isn’t much to do with it. No apps. Limited functions. Again, it’s a nice looking OS, but if you are an average user, there is no reason to flash it. If you aren’t the average user, and you own one of the devices below, a build will soon be released for you.

There is no official date when we can expect builds for each device, but it will be “soon.”

Works in progress:

• Motorola XOOM
• Galaxy Nexus (toro, toroplus)
• Sony Xperia S
• Sony Xperia T
• Samsung Galaxy S III (international, Verizon Wireless, and AT&T)
• Huawei Ascend G300
• Motorola DROID 3
• Motorola DROID 4
• Motorola DROID Bionic
• Samsung Galaxy Note
• Samsung Galaxy Note II
• Samsung Galaxy S II (international)
• HTC One X
• HTC One XK
• HTC One X+ (multiple versions)
• Asus Transformer Infinity
• LG Optimus 4x HD
• Nexus S
• Nexus One
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Wi-Fi
• Asus Transformer Pad

Via: Pocket Lint | Canonical

Ubuntu Touch OS Soon Coming to Long List of New Devices is a post from: Droid Life

Our Ubuntu-related coverage continues on today with an app called Glovebox. The app acts exactly like the side-pinned app launcher in the latest developer build of Ubuntu that Tim took a look at earlier, only this is obviously for Android devices. Once installed, with a simple swipe from the left (or right depending on how you have it setup), you can access your favorite apps, widgets, tasks, and shortcuts from anywhere. It’s a brilliant little app. 

While we have seen apps like this in a variety of forms, this appears to carry all sorts of potential. In the future, the developer plans to support custom icon packs, so that even your Glovebox can match your overall theme. For now, though, you can change between a handful of themes and tweak settings like opacity and density.

In the free version, you are allowed to add up to 8 of your favorite apps. In the paid version, which comes close to $4, you can add widgets, more apps, and all of the other goodies you’ll see listed in the settings menu. I’d suggest that you play around with the free version for a bit before deciding whether or not to fork out that kind of cash.

*Note – Also, I should point out that the current build is leaving some devices with an unresponsive screen after using the app for a bit. A simple reboot fixes the issue temporarily, but we’re waiting for a permanent fix from the dev. He has told me that this fix is a “priority” and he is hoping to have it out within the next few days.

Play Link

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheers vonny571!

Glovebox for Android: a Beautiful App Switcher Taking Design Love From Ubuntu is a post from: Droid Life

Well, I finally got Ubuntu Touch booted up on my Nexus 10, so here is a brief hands-on with the world’s newest mobile OS. This is a developer preview build and is intended for use only by developers or hardcore enthusiasts. There are barely any working applications and in terms of being a “daily driver,” you would be better off looking elsewhere. What I will say is that Ubuntu Touch is actually quite gorgeous and I could really see myself using it down the road once it becomes more functional/stable. 

As you will see in the video, I ran into a little issue where backing out of an app is somewhat of a challenge. Like we have mentioned a few times already, this is an extremely early preview build of what we can expect to see down the road from this OS.

If you feel like trying out Ubuntu on your Nexus device, check out our instructions, right here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Video: Hands-on With the Ubuntu Touch Preview Build is a post from: Droid Life

This morning, the Ubuntu Touch developer preview was released for Nexus devices. At first, it appeared that the files could only be flashed if you were on a machine running Ubuntu, but now, anyone with an unlocked device running a custom recovery can get to flashing.

We have placed easy-to-follow instructions down below for anyone willing to try out the preview. Again, this is a developer preview and you will find bugs and non-working functions. Long story short, if you want to use your device as you would normally, stay away from these. 

Disclaimer: Your device will need to be unlocked and running a custom recovery to flash these zip files.

Instructions:

1.  Download the correct device zip file and place it on your internal storage.
2.  Download the phablet ARMHF zip file and place it on your internal storage.
3.  Reboot into custom recovery.
4.  Wipe data/cache.
5.  Install the device zip.
6.  Install the phablet ARMHF zip.
7.  Reboot and enjoy!

Device zips: manta (Nexus 10) | grouper (Nexus 7) | mako (Nexus 4) | maguro (Galaxy Nexus)

Phablet armhf zip: Download

If you have any questions, shoot them below and we will try to get them answered by our lovely community.

How to: Flash Ubuntu Touch Preview On a Nexus Device Using Custom Recovery is a post from: Droid Life

It’s finally Thursday and if you have been paying attention, you would know that means it’s finally Ubuntu Day! This morning, Canonical released the developer previews of Ubuntu Touch that was built to allow developers an early access until the OS’s official release slated for some time early next year. 

Currently, the OS is only available for flashing to the Galaxy Nexus (GSM ‘maguro” variant only), Nexus 4 “mako,” Nexus 7 “grouper,” and Nexus 10 “manta.” If you have any other device than those listed, do not attempt to flash. These builds are intended for developers only and other than it just being a pretty UI, there are hardly any working apps or anything a normal consumer would consider useful. But then again, after flashing, returning to stock Android is very simple.

If you are still interested, they have also listed device specific issues that you may run into after flashing. For example, “In rare circumstances, the Nexus 4 may get into a state where it may not boot at all after the battery is drained ( even into recovery ). If this happens, the only way to restore it is to disassemble the back of the phone and unplug/plug the battery connector.”

Now that you have been fully warned, let’s do this!

Full flashing instructions here.

Via: Ubuntu Wiki

Ubuntu Touch Developer Previews for Smartphones and Tablets Now Available is a post from: Droid Life

Following the announcement of developer preview availability, Canonical announced this morning that a tablet-friendly version of Ubuntu will be ready for Nexus tablets starting this Thursday. Developers can load the OS up on either Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 devices, which has a new multitask interface which is previewed in the video below. 

Well, I must say I am sort of relieved that this had zero to do with HTC. Developers and tech enthusiasts, are you excited for all of this Ubuntu stuff?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Ubuntu Developers

Cheers Jared!

Ubuntu Touch Preview For Nexus Tablets Coming This Thursday is a post from: Droid Life

So HTC may have said before that they were getting out of the Android tablet game after “learning a lot,” but it seems that they might be diving back in. Hot off the heels of the picture that HTC tweeted featuring hidden devices, Ubuntu’s website is now counting down to something: HTC’s press event tomorrow morning.

This isn’t an official announcement by any means, but the signs couldn’t be any stronger at this point. The HTC Instagram picture did look like it showed something a bit larger than a phone, but until this we had our doubts. This certainly is strong evidence that HTC and Ubuntu have kept a pretty massive secret up until this point. Then again, the two could be completely unrelated and Ubuntu is planning on their own announcement tomorrow as well.

We know many readers have been interested in Ubuntu on their phones, but what about a bigger screen?

Via: The Verge

Ubuntu is Counting Down to HTC’s Press Event Tomorrow, Saying It’s “Tablet Time” is a post from: Droid Life

If you are either an Ubuntu enthusiast or developer looking to get your hands on the new touch-based Ubuntu smartphone OS, then February 21 is your big day. The images and open source code will become available for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 devices through their Wiki site. As an interesting bonus, attendees of MWC in Barcelona can choose to have their devices flashed with the new OS directly by the Canonical team. 

Any of you devs excited to get your hands on Ubuntu finally?

Touch Developer Preview of Ubuntu to be published on 21 February 2013 

Touch Developer Preview of Ubuntu for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 will be available
Daily update mechanism to follow progress in Ubuntu
Canonical will flash phones at MWC for industry, developers and enthusiasts
Preview SDK and App Design Guides already available for developers building touch apps for Ubuntu

London, 14th February 2013: Images and open source code for the Touch Developer Preview of Ubuntu will be published on Thursday 21st February, supporting the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 smartphones.

They are intended for enthusiasts and developers, to familiarise themselves with Ubuntu’s smartphone experience and develop applications on spare handsets. Tools that manage the flashing of the phone will be available on the same day in the Ubuntu archives, making it easy to keep a device up to date with the latest version of the Touch Developer Preview.

Attendees of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, 25th – 28th February can have their phones flashed to Ubuntu by Canonical team members at the Ubuntu stand, booth number 81D30, App Planet Hall 8.1, where Ubuntu will be shown on a range of devices.

The code release is a milestone in the development program for Ubuntu’s phone experience, and enables developers to port the platform to other devices. “Our platform supports a wide range of screen sizes and resolutions. Developers who have experience bringing up phone environments will find it relatively easy to port Ubuntu to current handsets” said Pat McGowan, who leads the integration effort that produced the images being released. “We look forward to adding support for additional devices for everyday testing and experimentation.”

The install process and supported device list are maintained at wiki.ubuntu.com/TouchInstallProcess and will be updated as new devices are added.

The release also marks the start of a new era for Ubuntu, with true convergence between devices. When complete, the same Ubuntu code will deliver a mobile, tablet, desktop or TV experiences depending on the device it is installed on, or where it is docked. Ubuntu 13.10 (due in October) will include a complete entry-level smartphone experience.

Canonical has published a Preview SDK and App Design Guides to allow developers to create applications for the full range of Ubuntu platforms. The toolkit provides a range of documented templates to enable native applications to be created quickly and easily. The App Design Guides explain how these templates can be used to design and build beautiful and usable apps. Blackberry Touch developers will be familiar with the Qt/QML environment, which supports rich native touch apps. Developers will not need to cross-compile or package applications differently for phone, tablet, PC and TV. One platform serves all four, a single application binary can do the same.

On Ubuntu, native and web or HTML5 applications sit as equal citizens and so those developers already developing HTML5 applications will easily gain support for Ubuntu.
“This release marks the threshold of wider engagement – both with industry and community.” says Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu. “For developers, contributors and partners, there is now a coherent experience that warrants attention. The cleanest, most stylish mobile interface around.”

Availability:
Go to wiki.ubuntu.com/TouchInstallProcess to download Touch Developer Preview of Ubuntu from Thursday 21st February.
Go to developer.ubuntu.com to download the SDK to develop applications for Ubuntu.
Go to http://design.ubuntu.com/apps to read the Apps Design Guide giving advice about designing and building beautiful and usable apps for Ubuntu on the phone.
Visit Canonical at Mobile World Congress: Booth Number: 81D30, App Planet Hall 8.1.
About Canonical & Ubuntu

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu and the leading provider of services for Ubuntu deployments in the enterprise. With global teams of developers, support staff and engineering centres, Canonical is uniquely positioned to help partners and customers make the most of Ubuntu. It also operates Ubuntu One, a cross-platform personal cloud service for consumers. Canonical is a privately held company.

Ubuntu is a free, open-source platform for client, server and cloud computing. It is the most widely used Linux on the top 1000 websites by traffic, the reference platform for OpenStack deployments, the most popular guest OS on public clouds, and ships on PCs from Dell, Lenovo, HP and other brands. Since its launch in 2004, it has become the preferred choice for open desktop and scale-out computing, from Fortune 500 companies to hardware makers, content providers, software developers and consumers.

Via: Engadget

Ubuntu Developer Preview to Arrive February 21 for Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 is a post from: Droid Life

Fans of Ubuntu can go run to their calendars and pencil in the entire month of October as the time frame for the release of Ubuntu smartphones. According to Mark Shuttleworth, the CEO of a company that provides services for corporate customers using Ubuntu, the devices will be ready for launch sometime in October  with developer units being ready to ship later this month. 

It’s sort of interesting to think that there is now going to be another operating system competing with iOS, Android, Windows, BlackBerry, and Symbian. While Ubuntu will surely find their niche market with no issue, will it be worth it at that point? For the few that do decide to jump onto the platform, it will more than likely be an uphill road for the first while, as developers slowly churn out apps for the platform to boost its usability. Either way, we know that Android fans have always had a certain liking for open source software.

So, you may be asking yourself, “Where and when will they be taking my money?” As said by Mr. Shuttleworth, availability will be limited to “two large geographic markets” in October, but he didn’t promise one of those two was the States. Although, he did mention the U.S. was “absolutely a key market.” If we are such a key market, then stop playing with our emotions and release it here.

To familiarize yourself with Ubuntu for mobile, check out The Verge’s hands-on below.

When it launches, are you making the switch?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: WSJ

Ubuntu Smartphones to Ship in October, U.S. Launch Not Guaranteed is a post from: Droid Life

One of my favorite parts of the Ubuntu Phone OS was the homescreen you are brought to when you power the phone on. Luckily for me, I’m not alone and some developers got together to make that design into a nifty live wallpaper. Once installed the wallpaper gives you a clock smack in the middle of the screen with subtle pulsing circles behind it. Very subdued and minimal for those who like it that way.

The wallpaper doesn’t drag on the phone’s performance too much either, which is a common problem from live wallpapers. While the app is fairly barebones now, the developers have promised customization like moving the circle, ability to change the clock format and different colors. For free it’s a live wallpaper with a lot of upside, you can get the download link below.

Play Link

Can’t Wait for Ubuntu and Android To Merge? Try This Slick Live Wallpaper is a post from: Droid Life

To start off this story, let me give you the list of specs and you can decide if it sounds good or not to you. 10.1″ 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display that is powered by a Samsung Exynos 4412 quad-core processor underneath. It boots Android 4.0 and Ubuntu 12.04 and runs 2GB of RAM alongside 32GB of storage. Quite an impressive spec sheet, and the price is only around $415. 

The unfortunate part is that the Kite Full-HD tablet, made by DaVinci Mobile Technology, isn’t confirmed to come to the States anytime soon. What is interesting to see is how well Android and Ubuntu play together in the same device. If this trend takes off the future of Android tablets will be very fun to watch.

Are you excited for the Ubuntu integration into Android? Or do you think it needs to stand on it’s own as an OS?

Via: Engadget

Android and Ubuntu Powered Kite Tablet Shows What Future Tablets May Be Like is a post from: Droid Life

Ubuntu and Android have been close friends for a while now, but developers have been working to make Ubuntu it’s own mobile OS and that work was revealed today. Using the Galaxy Nexus, the new totally gesture-based operating system was shown off today and looks like a fledgling OS with a lot of promise. You thought Google was crazy for having on-screen home buttons? This operating system has no home button whatsoever. 

The Verge got some facetime with developer devices today and put up a quick video showing off a few of the features. Unlocking the phone just takes a swipe to the right, and swiping to the left brings up a slick list of most-used apps. Once you’re in the phone’s home screen swiping right will take you to the most recently open app, left again brings up most-used. Swiping down from the top brings down an Android-style notification bar, but the information changes depending on which icon you swipe down from. You can check messages, battery life and settings all from different swipe points.

There is some noticeable lag throughout the phone, but that’s to be expected with the early build that it’s running. Once that gets cleared up it looks like it could be a pretty slick user interface. Images for the Galaxy Nexus are going to be available for download in “the next few weeks” so developers can tinker and start building apps and an ecosystem for the new OS.

Ubuntu for Android is even closer now after today’s news, would you be interested in using this as a parallel OS in your phone?

Overview (6:20):

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hands-on:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via:  Ubuntu | The Verge

Ubuntu’s Brand New Gesture-Based Phone OS Shown Off on the Galaxy Nexus is a post from: Droid Life

Up until now, we have only heard rumors and seen still pictures of what Ubuntu running on an Android device will look like. Today however, a video has surfaced of the service up and running and it is exciting to see. It was promised that Ubuntu for Android “transforms your high-end phone into your productive desktop, whenever you need it.” While you might be skeptical at that claim, after watching the video your opinion might change. 

Unfortunately, the video is in Portugese because this was being shown at a tech conference in Brazil, but you do get a good idea of how the system works just by watching. Plugging the phone into the dock launches the Ubuntu system, which runs parallel to Android. It is not emulated by any means and gets to use all the power your phone has to offer. This means that system features like notifications can be swapped between Ubuntu and Android seamlessly. It makes Motorola’s Webtop system look silly.

Unfortunately, the caveat of this new development is that Ubuntu needs access to each phone’s drivers which means that OEMs like Samsung, Motorola and HTC would have to be interested in this to get it running at the speed that it should. Once that happens though, Ubuntu will give a new meaning to the Android phone dock.

Does this excite you? Would you use your phone as a desktop if it ran this smoothly?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: Unixmen

Cheers Dominick!

Ubuntu for Android Gets Shown Off and Detailed, We Want This as Soon as Possible is a post from: Droid Life

I will not act like I know too much about Ubuntu and I have basically zero experience with it. But I am hoping that will change soon as Canonical, the company responsible for bringing Ubuntu to the public, is to be launching Ubuntu for Android at this year’s Mobile World Congress. Let it be known, that this will not be just an Ubuntu app running on the Android OS though. This will be Ubuntu and Android, running alongside one another, on the same kernel. Unified.

While not attached to a dock, the Android device will function like any other Android smartphone. But when connected to a dock/monitor/peripheral device, users will be greeted by the Ubuntu desktop UI which many fans are familiar with. The reasoning behind this idea, is that people can consolidate all of their data. They can have all of the info they need in just one single device instead of having files and contacts scattered among multiple smartphones, tablets and laptops. To have a single device, for a single person with all of the functionality they need to get their work done. 

We can rest assured that this will be an excellent and well documented announcement at MWC. If you happen to get excited by Android and Ubuntu, then get ready for a fantastic 2012.

Via: Ubuntu, Techcrunch

Cheers Alex, Dominick!

Ubuntu For Android To Be Announced At This Year’s Mobile World Congress is a post from: Droid Life