Ubuntu, Android team up vs iPhone

With Apple's iPhone threatening to steal smartphone users from Android with a lower price and wider availability, can Ubuntu come to the Google platform's rescue?

 

An article posted on tech site CNET said Ubuntu has the potential to make Android phones act like powerful desktop computers when docked to an accessory.

 

CNET noted that while the iPhone's strength lies in simplicity, Android's advantage lies in expanded features.

 

"One of those expanded features that the iPhone doesn't have is the ability to dock and act like a computer ... Ubuntu has an alternative vision for smartphone/PC convergence and it's teaming with Android hardware makers on devices that will hit the market later in 2012," it said.

 

Ubuntu and Android can be considered cousins - both operating systems are based on the Linux kernel.

 

Ubuntu for Android

 

CNET noted Android had won over more users than Apple in 2010 and 2011 since Android was available on more carriers, and cost less than the then $200 base price of the iPhone.

 

But now, the iPhone has spread more major carriers and the base price has gone down to below $100.

 

When Ubuntu maker Canonical announced and demonstrated Ubuntu for Android at the Mobile World Congress in February, it generated much interest in the mobile industry.

 

"Users liked the idea of a more full-featured desktop than Motorola's Webtop. Android phone makers liked the idea of using the software to build high-powered multi-purpose devices and make more money off smartphones accessories like desktop docks. And, wireless carriers loved the idea of powerful smartphones running desktop-level applications that will demand more data than ever," CNET said.

 

"The feedback has been great. People that really got their hands on it have raved about it," Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth said.

 

In contrast, CNET noted Motorola's Webtop platform is limited to mostly desktop Web browsing and is only available on Motorola phones.

 

Shuttleworth said that while Webtop is similar to ChromeOS where apps are browser-based, the "full range of desktop apps are there" in Ubuntu.

 

Complementary partners

 

CNET said Ubuntu for Android allows a phone to function normally as a smartphone or when making calls, but Ubuntu takes over when the smartphone is docked, giving the user the feel of a standard computer.

 

"You can open a desktop Web browser, but you can also install and run standard Ubuntu desktop software for photo editing, word processing, etc.," CNET said.

 

It also noted Ubuntu is so lean, its entire software stack takes up only about 2 GB, including apps for e-mail, Web browsing, photo editing, and music.

 

"The Ubuntu solution is providing a complete PC operating system. Canonical has always seen the opportunity for Ubuntu for Android. It's something that's always been discussed, but once the hardware was ready then we realized the timing was good for this. [The software] is mature enough for us to engage with an OEM today," said Richard Collins, the Product Manager for Ubuntu for Android.

 

For now, Canonical said that virtually all of the major Android phone makers are considering Ubuntu for Android.

 

"We've engaged all the handset manufacturers that we feel were relevant to this solution. They were beating a path to our stand [at MWC]," Collins said.

 

But Collins said it will take close cooperation with the phone makers to optimize performance of the hardware for each smartphone and to build in all the hooks that are needed for the deep integration between Ubuntu and Android.

 

Integration before end-2012?

 

CNET said Collins hinted Ubuntu may be integrated into high-end Android phones by the end of 2012.

 

Collins also said Ubuntu would love to work with some Nvidia Tegra 3 quad-core devices.

 

For his part, Shuttleworth said he is open to collaborating with the Webtop creator.

 

"I'd love to work with Motorola because I know the courage it took to bring Webtop to market," he said. — TJD, GMA News