UBUNTU EDGE: ONE FOR ALL

Ubuntu Edge: One For The All

Ubuntu Edge

Image: Ubuntu Edge

Credit: Canonical

For open source lovers out there, Canonical (a company behind most popular open source operating system Ubuntu) brought the surprise for them. Now they are planning to release Ubuntu Edge smart phone. You might think that it’s just another smart phone. But it’s more than that. It’s a full-fledged personal computer also when you plug it into dock. You will get the full Ubuntu operating system experience not the stripped down version. So you can do all the productivity work. Canonical likes to call it convergence. They believe you should carry only one device in your pocket which should be able to fill the gap of productivity and entertainment. In terms of specification Ubuntu Edge is a beast.

CPU: Latest available CPU

Ram: 4GB

Storage: 128 GB

Display: 1280X 720 HD display

Camera: 8 MP

Sensors: Low light, GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer etc. And pretty much anything else that comes to mind.

        

Image: ubuntu touch interface (Left),  ubuntu desktop interface (Right)

Credit: Canonical

Now, you must be thinking how you can get your hands on this device. But there is a catch, this device will come into existence only if canonical can achieve the goal of 32 million dollars of crowd funding. You can book the device through their donation page on Indiegogo website. (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge/x/4036640). And you will receive the device around May 2014. The price of Ubuntu Edge is 830$ plus 30$ shipping charge for outside of U.S. and U.K. That is around 52,000 rupees. That’s’ quite high considering the Indian market. But if you consider combining smartphone and a laptop the price is reasonable.

In my opinion the idea is great, device looks elegant and the touch interface is neat but its bit too pricy for average customer. And only time will tell whether this device will really come into fruition. Will canonical really succeed in disrupting the existing wave of iOS and android? Till then keep your fingers crossed.