http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20891868

Do a lot of Ubuntu users make the most of the 'free' software that's about? That might affect app sales if repeated here

You can't 'adapt' a GUI to run on touchscreens. Its either designed for them or it's [LIFTED].

Well this could get interesting, if Ubuntu can get a decent branch going with a good GUI.

From what I've read on Twitter, it's an Android fork, somewhat similar to Amazon Fire?

I've been following it's development for a couple of years, and I have mixed feelings about it. I think it will only be viable for a very brief time in history, while smart phones are powerful (as they are now) and while desktops still cost a significant amount.

In a couple of years, adequate processing power will be so cheap that a docking station will be no cheaper than a fully fledged PC. Just look at the Pi today: £25 for a PC that's as powerful as a server from a few years ago.

I think the future is simply better wireless integration of your personal data with cheap, mass produced desktops and your portable devices.

which a small amount of hard core geeks will go for but the majority will ignore and go for official android, iOS or even WP8 or even RIM

I think that's the thing - until a major high street carrier takes it on as the default, most people will stick with what their phone ships with.

Which, realistically, isn't ever going to happen. It'll be like Ubuntu desktop, something people who know about it might want to install themselves but non-existent in the 'consumer' market.

Looking at the website I've discovered that I was mislead by the article title.

"Ubuntu for Android" has been under development for years. It enables you to dock the phone and use it as a PC with the usual Ubuntu desktop. You still use Android on the phone while on the move.

What is new is "Ubuntu for Phones" which is a total replacement for Android. It's a new Linux GUI for phones. It has nothing to do with Android, except that it uses the same hardware drivers which should speed development.

They're both explained on the website:

http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/phone

You can skip the first 6 minutes of the video, because it starts off talking about the past.

They are looking to ship phones with "Ubuntu for Phones" within two years.

The "hack" would actually be running Android on an Ubuntu phone.. which no one would do.

Really looking forward to this

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It has been announced that you can now run Ubuntu on certain phones.

So if you want to call someone, open a shell and type:

$ grep "Pete" /var/db/contacts.txt |awk 'BEGIN{FS=","}$2 ~ /msisdn/ {print $2}' contacts.txt | xargs /bin/call

I don't think you want the 'contacts.txt' in the awk statement...You may also have to put xargs in to line orientated mode because if the number has spaces in it may not work.

Wow. Just wow. You proper geek. Megalolz

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