Ubuntu OS smartphones will hit "two large geographic markets" from October 2013 Canonical CEO Mark Shuttleworth tells the Wall Street Journal, with interest from carriers willing to break the iOS/Android duopoly to boot.
Developers should have access to the operating system (as optimised for the Galaxy Nexus handset) even sooner-- by end February 2013.
Names of the markets or carriers in question are not available as yet.
Shuttleworth says mobile Ubuntu will be identical to the newest version of Ubuntu (14.04) available for desktop PCs and tablets, making it more attractive for corporate IT customers. Users should be able to dock Ubuntu smartphones to a variety of accessories, including larger displays and keyboards, and run Windows applications streamed via corporate servers.
However Ubuntu smartphones face a challenge from a BYOD trend adapting for iOS and Android devices-- even if they make sense for enterprises employing Linux developers or Ubuntu-based environments, as well as very security-conscious organisations.
Unbuntu 14.04 made its debut at CES 2013, and features a touch-enhanced interface using thumb gestures and all screen edges for faster, more immersive user experience.
