Ubuntu, the open source Linux-based operating system founded by South Africa’s Mark Shuttleworth, have announced a smartphone version of their ever popular platform.
Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu operating system, have announced the extension from desktops, laptops and servers, but the launch of the first Ubuntu phones is not expected until much later this year or more likely the beginning of 2014.
The operating system will be an alternative to another Linux-based operating system for smartphones, Android, and Canonical also state it can be installed on any smartphone running the famous Google OS.
Ubuntu for smartphones is reported to use the same drivers and kernels as Android, positioning it as an alternative for current Android users.
As such, Shuttleworth is said to have already had talks with several manufacturers for devices to be sold with the system pre-installed in 2013 and 2014.
Even though the phones are still months from manufacturing, it is reported Canonical will be releasing an Ubuntu image for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in a few weeks time.
