Ubuntu Tablet OS To Take On Android, iOS

snydeq writes "Canonical CEO Jane Silber discusses the Ubuntu maker's ambitions in the mobile market, saying there is plenty of room for a new player in tablets, TVs, and maybe even smartphones. 'There is a real demand for an alternative platform. We believe Ubuntu has all the characteristics that are needed to become that platform,' Silber says, adding that she expects to see Ubuntu on tablets later this year. 'And we think we can do that effectively because of characteristics of Ubuntu as a platform, industry dynamics, and an increased wariness around the walled gardens of Apple and to some extent Google and even Amazon, as they are increasingly in this game as well.' Silber cites openness, open governance, collaboration, and a strong developer ecosystem as key for Ubuntu as a tablet platform, when compared with Android and iOS."

Re:Finally

[Lumpy]

Then buy one now.

Install Ubuntu on a Fujitsu stylistic and get something that has far more power than any of these toys.

Re:Finally

[DaveSlash]

I hate Unity but I love Gnome-shell. (No seriously) Tapping the top left corner to see the overview of apps per desktop, with my videos still playing while I choose which application to bring to the foreground with all its 3D acceleration glory. That's going to rock on a tablet. Then apt-get install whatever I want. Squeeeee!!! I want it. When Ubuntu with Gnome-shell hits an ARM based tablet or a Medfield Atom tablet, that's when I'm jumping in.

Transform my Transformer!

[eepok]

I have an ASUS Transformer with keyboard dock and I think it's great. I really do. It's my netbook as necessary and a tablet which is particularly good for tabling events.

My problem with the Transformer is that it runs Android. I would prefer Android over iOS any day, but Google continues to develop Android as a single-person data collection device (requiring me to be constantly signed into a variety of services) instead of a multi-user platform where *I* get to choose who sees what.

If/when Ubuntu gets prepped for tablet distribution and I can install it on my Transformer, I will do it the very night it's available. Google has just over-stepped its bounds for me to give it the benefit of the doubt with my data any more.

Re:7" form factor FTW

[cayenne8]

I'm with you.

I originally couldn't think of what I'd use a tablet for...but a friend of mine showed me his 'hacked' Nook Color 7" with Android on it.

I thought, hell..fun project...and I got one new on a deal for $130...so, no real investment why not?

Well, this thing is CONSTANTLY with me at home. I carry it around to most every room I'm in. I look things up on the web a lot, especially when cooking....I keep up with email all the time, etc.

This thing is so cheap..I'm thinking of getting a couple more...and keep them throughout the house like I have done in the past with laptops.

Is it the end of my computer usage? Certainly not...but for around the house it is great.

Oh..and for travel...perfect for watching movies and reading on the go..much easier than having to lug a laptop and case all around.

It has definitely hit a useful spot for me too...and as you get older, well....those phones get hard to read after awhile...much easier to see and use something a little larger in format.