Ubuntu Touch’ Linux-based Mobile Operating System – Review

One of the most popular Linux distributions is Ubuntu, which now steps into the world of smartphones via Ubuntu Touch. This is a tablet version and appears to be a complete package, with an elegant and slick interface. The interface is designed carefully so that all the sides of a screen are used efficiently. Contacts and contents can be placed in the center and front, which eliminates the need to hop back to the home screen frequently.

ubuntu touch os

The navigating features offered by Ubuntu Touch can be implemented on all four corners. You can perform gestures including:

  • A gentle swipe from the left opens to display your most desired apps
  • An extended swap takes you on a tour of all the apps
  • A soft swipe from the right will open up the recently used apps
  • A swipe upwards from the bottom will show the menu controls for the app in use
  • A downward swipe from top reveals messages and notifications

Ubuntu Touch is a unique Operating System as it comes with two parts: the Ubuntu file system and CyanogenMod 10.1, Android 4.2 (ROM) custom version. To be precise, when you install Ubuntu in an Android device, it runs in the background and the interface accesses it through the root. This makes your phone or tablet to run the Ubuntu interface. Sadly, Android apps cannot be accessed. But if your gadget has an unlocked bootloader, you can stop your worries related to this factor.

Some of the highlights of the Ubuntu Touch mobile Operating System are:

  • It is built using the existing Android drivers and kernel
  • The OS will support x86 and ARM processors
  • HTML5, OpenGL and QT apps have been given much importance, hence notifications are displayed similar to the native apps
  • Ubuntu Touch lacks the presence of a virtual machine meaning better performance than Android
  • Comes with a welcome screen displaying beautiful circular patterns with contents from installed apps
  • Your tablet or smartphone can be docked and attached to a mouse or keyboard per your convenience

Interestingly you might find more than a few resemblances between Ubuntu’s desktop version and Ubuntu Touch. The Canonical desktop UI has been adopted in the Ubuntu Touch, which comes along with a line of app logos that make their appearance on the left part of the screen. Ubuntu Touch for tablets and smartphones are alpha builds, with limited core functions. From the home screen, you can access the recently opened music titles and apps, photo library and individual contacts.

A deeper look at the OS shows that it contains a few features of Android and iOS. However, it is difficult to compare Ubuntu Touch with other Operating Systems. Ubuntu has come up with its unique mobile platform comprising normal touch gestures, swipes from sides and corners and a few other exciting aspects.

Canonical is talking about convincing hardware manufacturers to implement Ubuntu Touch so that it can compete hard with the Android Operating Systems. Seems like they are taking a brave move and there’s no stopping them from achieving a unique style of its own. The Ubuntu Touch is expected to hit the market at the earliest and rumors are that it will soon be available to download for Galaxy Nexus.

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