Earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas, Canonical unveiled a version of their Ubuntu Linux operating system for smartphones. Now, they’re announcing the Ubuntu Edge – a next-generation smartphone that also works as a full desktop PC.
As a smartphone, the Edge is already quite extraordinary. It’ll come with the fastest processor available, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of flash storage – that’s far beyond what we’ve seen from current generation smartphones. It also has a dual-LTE chip which’ll work anywhere in the world.
The display will measure 4.5-inches across, at a resolution of 1280 x 720. That keeps power usage down, but doesn’t sacrifice visual clarity unduly. That screen will be protected by pure sapphire crystal, a material that can only be scratched by a diamond. The Edge will be powered with a silicon-anode battery too, ensuring much longer battery life than a typical smartphone despite the high specifications.
All of these top end specifications will ensure that the Edge will be a blindingly fast smartphone, whether running Android or Canonical’s own Ubuntu mobile OS. But the real reason for these ridiculous specifications is to ensure that the Edge can handle running a full desktop OS: Ubuntu Linux.
In order to access the desktop mode, it’s just a case of connecting the Edge up to a HDMI-capable display, whether that’s a monitor, HDTV or projector. Then, you can use Bluetooth keyboards and mice in order to use the Edge as you would any desktop PC. All of your files and Ubuntu apps remain accessible in the desktop mode, ensuring a seamless transition from mobile to desktop and back again.
The Edge is definitely a compelling device. Purely from a smartphone point of view, I don’t think its specifications will be equalled even in the next couple of years. And its position as a “full convergence” device, a desktop PC that you can carry in your pocket, is quite unique.
Canonical are looking for a solid commitment of interest from the community in order to make the Ubuntu Edge a reality, opening an IndieGoGo campaign with a target goal of $32,000,000. For that total to be reached, some 40,000 would-be owners will need to put down $830 to get an Ubuntu Edge on release in May 2014. So far, the project looks like it’s on course, with about $3.4 million raised over the first two days.
- Ubuntu Edge on IndieGoGo
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