While there are no Ubuntu-based smartphones on the market that are widely available and compatible with cellular carriers, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, did develop a mobile operating system called Ubuntu Touch (previously known as Ubuntu for Phones). However, the development and support for Ubuntu Touch have been discontinued, and Canonical shifted its focus away from the smartphone market.
While there were some Ubuntu Touch devices released by manufacturers like BQ and Meizu in the past, they had limited availability and support. These devices were primarily targeted at developers and enthusiasts, and their compatibility with cellular carriers varied depending on the region and network.
However, it's worth noting that the open-source nature of Ubuntu and the Linux community's efforts have allowed some enthusiasts to install Ubuntu Touch on specific Android devices. This process, known as "porting," requires technical expertise and may not offer full compatibility with all cellular carriers.
Ubuntu Touch, also known as Ubuntu for Phones, is a mobile operating system based on Ubuntu Linux. It was developed by Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, with the aim of providing a seamless and consistent experience across different device form factors, including smartphones, tablets, and eventually, convergence devices that can function as both a phone and a desktop computer.
Ubuntu Touch was designed with a unique user interface called "Unity 8," which featured a convergence concept that adapts the interface based on the device's form factor. It offered a gesture-based navigation system and a "scopes" concept, which provided personalized and dynamic content on the home screen.
Canonical partnered with manufacturers like BQ and Meizu to release Ubuntu Touch devices. The BQ Aquaris E4.5, Aquaris E5 HD, and Aquaris M10 tablets, as well as the Meizu MX4 and Meizu Pro 5 smartphones, were among the officially supported devices. However, the availability of these devices was limited to specific regions and often required importing them from certain markets.
Canonical faced challenges in gaining traction in the competitive smartphone market, and in April 2017, they announced the end of their investment in the development of Ubuntu Touch. Since then, the official development and support for Ubuntu Touch have been discontinued.
However, the open-source nature of Ubuntu Touch has allowed the community to continue its development independently. UBports (Ubuntu Touch Ports) is a community-driven project that has taken up the mantle of maintaining and improving Ubuntu Touch. They have been working on porting Ubuntu Touch to a variety of Android devices and providing ongoing updates and support.
The availability of Ubuntu Touch depends on community-supported devices, and it's recommended to check the UBports website (https://ubports.com/) for the latest information on compatible devices and installation instructions. It's important to note that while Ubuntu Touch can be installed on some devices, the level of compatibility with cellular carriers may vary, and it may not provide the same level of functionality or support as mainstream mobile operating systems.
It's always recommended to research the latest developments in the
Ubuntu Touch community or alternative mobile Linux projects if you're
interested in using Ubuntu or a Linux-based operating system on a
smartphone.
Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model
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