Ubuntu Touch/Ubuntu for Phones

[Cyclist]

I did a quick search but I couldn't tell if the results addressed the subject specifically. I was just curious if anybody has had experience with Ubuntu Touch mobile OS? I know it was only announced about two and a half months ago but I've heard that some can get their hands on it.

I always have been (since the 80's) and always will be a die-hard Apple fan, I'm on my second iPhone (I'm a Verizon customer) and have had countless Macs over the years. That being said, I'm not a fanboy that can't admit when there's a lull in innovation. I've been tantalized a bit by the new Samsung devices coming out on the market, some of my co-workers have the Galaxy S III and a few are considering getting the GS4 or maybe the yet-to-be-announced Note III. I think Samsung has done a great job with these devices and am curious to see if Apple will regain some of the ground it's lost in the last year and a half or so.

My biggest hesitation to getting a Samsung device is Android OS. I don't like it. I feel like it's a "chunky" and "cumbersome" operating system. My wife had an HTC Incredible with Froyo, and granted, the Incredible was anything but, the OS left much to be desired, plus it's poor security rating concerns me.

However, with the announcement of Ubuntu Touch/Ubuntu for phones, I'm very interested in what people think of this? I'm assuming the app market isn't as developed yet, though I would also assume that it has the potential to grow exponentially being that it's Linux. My favorite app is Forum Runner, I use it daily (in fact I'm using it now), and I wonder how long it would be before we see apps like that available for Ubuntu Touch.

Anyway, any thoughts or opinions are welcome.

Cheers mates.

 

[Spiritlight]

If I was to not use IOS I would prefer to use an OS other than something made by google because Google is renowned for collecting information off people unknowingly and making it available at a profit. Just remember Google maps and people walking in streets etc. Google is not gonna own up to to much yet until a court order makes them At lease Linux stuff is secure and private if you install correct software.

 

[EphesiaNZ]

I'm liking the idea of a Ubuntu phone and tablet (if the price is good) but wait to see if the hype turns into reality. I believe Canonical stated they should have a working system around October, this year. I do like the way it looks and how it operates but I also liked the look of Ubuntu TV and that appears to be stagnating as it seems there is a lack of hardware partners willing to run with it.

Ubuntu just seems to be reaching out in a multitude of directions and I just hope that they can back all this divergence up with manpower to make it happen. Let's not forget, they now have announced a replacement for X server, called Mir that will power Ubuntu in the future - another major undertaking to stretch resources even further. If Ubuntu can pull all this off then the future is bright for them and Linux in general. If they don't then Ubuntu may be history.

However, I still think Ubuntu's Unity interface sucks for the desktop...

 

[Cyclist]

If I was to not use IOS I would prefer to use an OS other than something made by google because Google is renowned for collecting information off people unknowingly and making it available at a profit. Just remember Google maps and people walking in streets etc. Google is not gonna own up to to much yet until a court order makes them At lease Linux stuff is secure and private if you install correct software.

That's basically how I feel, I don't trust Android with how many vulnerabilities there are, despite how visually appealing and capable it is. I'm sure there's ways to protect and encrypt Android, but the last I checked it still ranks as the second worst mobile OS for security, placing only above Windows Phone.

I'm liking the idea of a Ubuntu phone and tablet (if the price is good) but wait to see if the hype turns into reality. I believe Canonical stated they should have a working system around October, this year. I do like the way it looks and how it operates but I also liked the look of Ubuntu TV and that appears to be stagnating as it seems there is a lack of hardware partners willing to run with it.

Ubuntu just seems to be reaching out in a multitude of directions and I just hope that they can back all this divergence up with manpower to make it happen. Let's not forget, they now have announced a replacement for X server, called Mir that will power Ubuntu in the future - another major undertaking to stretch resources even further. If Ubuntu can pull all this off then the future is bright for them and Linux in general. If they don't then Ubuntu may be history.

However, I still think Ubuntu's Unity interface sucks for the desktop...

I see what you're saying, perhaps Ubuntu's over-extended themselves? I'm a complete novice when it comes to Linux but I've always had immense respect for it as a platform. I've read some preliminary reviews and it seems like for the most part, people are skeptical of it's applications and it's ability to grab hold in a market that's dominated by Apple and Google.

I watched the demonstration of it on YouTube after it was announced and I think it seems like a wonderfully versatile and useful OS, I personally don't see why it wouldn't catch on. It would offer a more secure alternative to Android on just about any device (I'm assuming) that Android already runs on and it has the potential to run as a full-featured OS by connecting it to an external monitor, just to name a couple of features that set it apart from Android and iOS.

I think I would be very interested in combining Ubuntu with perhaps one of the current Samsung devices that are on the market.