Ubuntu goes mobile: Ubuntu Mobile

Posted by Sathya

February 26, 2008

Introducing Ubuntu Mobile - full Internet, no compromise

Ubuntu Mobile is an Ubuntu edition that targets an exciting new class of computers called Mobile Internet Devices.
Ubuntu Mobile, based on the world’s most popular Linux distribution, and MID hardware from OEMs and ODMs, are redefining what can be done in mobile computing.

Ubuntu Mobile, a fully open source project, gives full Internet, with no compromise. Custom options may include licensed codecs and popular third-party applications.

Full Web 2.0/AJAX fidelity, with custom options of Adobe Flash®, Java, and more
Outstanding media playback so you can enjoy videos, music and photos with superior quality and easy navigation
A suite of applications that work seamlessly to meet every need of a digital parent, student or anyone who is on-the-go
Facebook®, MySpace®, YouTube®, Dailymotion®, 3D games, GPS, maps, in short, the full Web 2.0 experience delivered into your hands as a compact and powerful device that’s easy and fun to use

The product of Canonical collaboration with Intel® and the open source community, Ubuntu Mobile is the software that makes it all possible.

Just the right stuff

Ubuntu Mobile just works, and it works just right.

Just the right applications provide an uncompromised Web 2.0 experience: Web browsing, email, media, camera, VoIP, instant messaging, GPS, blogging, digital TV, games, contacts, dates/calendar, simple software updates… and lots more.

All unnecessary complexity in the user experience is eliminated.

Finger friendly, touch driven

Ubuntu Mobile is finger friendly, with no stylus needed. You drive Ubuntu Mobile with touch. Simply tap the screen or drag a finger to make gestures for intuitive navigation and control.

Tap an application with your finger to launch it, and tap menus and buttons to use them.
Swipe a web page to pan up, down or sideways.
Swipe a video, photo, song or thumbnail page to move to the next or the previous one.

Leveraging the MID

MIDs typically have the following features and attributes:

Small size/form factor
4 to 7 inch touch screen
Physical and/or virtual keyboard
Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, WiMAX
2GB to 8GB Flash or disk storage, 256MB+ memory/512MB+ recommended
OpenGL 3D
USB, camera, head phone jack, speakers, microphone

Customizable

Clutter User Interface

Clutter UI

Flash User Interface

Flash UI

Ubuntu Mobile is highly flexible and customizable. It is an ideal platform for the kind of product differentiation that reaches target users and penetrates key markets.

User interface in HTML, Flash, Clutter, Python with GTK, C/C++ with GTK and Java
Different application sets for different products or configurations
Integration with popular Web 2.0 sites
Internationalization and translation support to meet market requirements
Custom sets of licensed media codecs and third-party proprietary software for commercial partners
Custom engineering

OEMs, ODMs, operators and developers can customize Ubuntu Mobile to their desired look and feel and offer just the right capabilities to meet their specific requirements. Canonical can assist through its Custom Engineering program.
For information about Canonical custom engineering services, email mobile@canonical.com.

Community

The Ubuntu Mobile community includes many individuals and organizations and always welcomes new participants and partners.

Places to get started:

For information about Ubuntu Mobile, see http://wiki.ubuntu.com/MobileAndEmbedded
For information about Intel’s MID Linux Moblin project, see http://moblin.org

More information

For more information about Ubuntu Mobile, download the datasheet.

Wow! This can result in a massive change in mentality for people who still think Linux is for geeks. I’m very impressed by the toouch interface. Do we have something here, which can beat Apple’s iTouch interface?

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