Further to the hands-on look at the new Ubuntu Phone OS at CES 2013, Canonical has also revealed that an Ubuntu Phone Image for the Galaxy Nexus might be available in February to download.
Canonical’s Alan Pope has reportedly confirmed a late February distribution date to the OMG Ubuntu website, but don’t get too excited just yet as the February Ubuntu Phone Image is not expected to be a fully featured release.
What to Expect from the Initial Release
The OMG Ubuntu website explains a little more about what we will be able to expect from the Ubuntu Phone OS Image once released: “we found out that some key parts of the Ubuntu Phone experience, such as the ‘voice controlled HUD’ and an ‘app store’, don’t even exist yet; and many of those that do, such as the webkit-based web browser, are far from complete.” This means that while the initial release will give users a taste of what Ubuntu Phone OS has to offer, it will not yet be a complete or polished product.
The initial release is expected to include basic functionalities such as making calls, sending texts, and browsing the web. However, advanced features like the voice-controlled HUD (Heads-Up Display) and a fully functional app store will be missing. This is typical for early-stage software releases, where the focus is on getting the core system stable before adding more complex features.
Future Prospects and Development
Canonical has ambitious plans for the Ubuntu Phone OS. The goal is to create a unified experience across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This means that in the future, users could potentially run the same applications on their phone as they do on their desktop, with seamless integration between the two.
For developers, this presents an exciting opportunity to create applications that can run on multiple platforms without significant modifications. Canonical is also working on an app store that will eventually allow users to download and install a wide range of applications, from productivity tools to games.
For more information on the new Ubuntu Phone OS check out the recent hands-on video from CES 2013, showing a glimpse at what you can expect from the new Ubuntu Phone OS when it launches.
The video provides a closer look at the user interface, which is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. It also showcases some of the unique features of Ubuntu Phone OS, such as the edge-based gestures for navigation and the ability to run desktop applications on the phone.
As the development of Ubuntu Phone OS progresses, we can expect to see more features being added and existing ones being refined. Canonical is actively seeking feedback from early adopters to help shape the future of the operating system. This community-driven approach is a hallmark of the open-source philosophy that underpins Ubuntu.
Source: OMG Ubuntu : Phandroid
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