Canonical says the launch of the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Edition, the first ever Ubuntu-powered tablet, will help realise its vision of a converged computing experience that combines the best features of a tablet and PC into a single device.
The company claims Ubuntu is the only operating system capable of running both full touch and traditional PC interfaces, in what could be interpreted as a firing shot aimed at Windows 10 and iOS.
Spanish manufacturer BQ has released a number of Ubuntu smartphones and the two parties say the Aquaris M10 will be the first in a “series” of converged devices. It boasts a 10.1 inch display, 1.5GHz MediaTek quad-core processor and measures in at 8.2mm thick and 470 grammes.
Convergence has been a central component of Ubuntu Mobile, with Canonical claiming the ability to create single applications for multiple form factors will attract developers to the platform. Users can run both desktop and mobile applications, take advantage of ‘scopes’, which are a key feature of Ubuntu smartphones, gain complete access to the underlying platform and benefit from enhanced security.
Amid a slowing tablet market, Canonical believes running an alternative platform like Ubuntu could allow a device to stand out from the crowd. It also thinks the ability to turn a mobile device into a full PC using a wireless keyboard, mouse and external display will convince businesses to take the plunge.
Recent figures suggest business focused tablets like the iPad Pro and Surface Pro are having more success than the cheap seven inch units that flooded the market several years ago.
BQ and Chinese manufacturer Meizu were signed up as partners last year after Canonical failed to achieve its crowdfunding target to build the ‘Ubuntu Edge’ – a high specification smartphone that would have served as a showcase.
Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth has previously said Ubuntu Mobile devices would most likely not appeal to iPhone owners, but the firm is adamant it wants the platform to become “mass market”, but admits it will take time. However, Canonical has admitted in the past that it doesn’t expect a major manufacturer to make Ubuntu smartphones.
How much do you know about Linux? Take our quiz!
Thoma Bravo agrees to acquire Darktrace for $5.32 billion in cash, delivering some welcome news…
Customer adoption of AI services embedded in cloud services continues to deliver results for Microsoft,…
TikTok's 'secret source' algorithm is so core to ByteDance, it would rather shut down US…
After relocating from California to Texas in 2020, Oracle's Larry Ellison now reveals plan to…
Share price hit after Meta admits heavy AI spending plans, after posting strong first quarter…
For third time Google delays phase-out of third-party Chrome cookies after pushback from industry and…