Ubuntu comes to Android for a full desktop experience

Ubuntu coming to Android, allows any phone with a dual-core processor to run a full desktop OS Canonical has finally brought Ubuntu to the mobile world, and not as a tiny mobile OS for use on a 4-inch display no for desktop use FROM that mobile device. What Ubuntu is doing here is sitting on an Android device they used a Motorola Atrix 2 for testing purposes, ironically enough which reveals the software only when the device is plugged into a large display with its HDMI port. This build works as a virtualized environment as an app in Android 2.3 Gingerbread AOSP build at the kernel level.
Canonical unveiled today a brand new mobile product dubbed Ubuntu for Android. The product is massive in scale and will bring the popular Linux desktop OS to high-end, multi-core Android smartphones.
Canonical has also been vocal about how this release will not be open source as Ubuntu is otherwise, instead this being an application that will be coming pre-installed on devices in what they hope is the near future. Canonical will be working with manufacturers and/or carriers to get this app working on future handsets for HDMI use. Hopefully we’ll see this action in the first half of 2012, and perhaps we’ll have some competition from Google’s own Jellybean system.
Designed to work with Android on users’ multi-core handsets, Ubuntu for Android will launch the full Ubuntu desktop OS whenever the phone is docked with a keyboard and monitor via HDMI and USB. The rest of the time, the phone runs a normal build of Android.
All services, data, and even 3G/4G connections are shared between the Ubuntu OS and the Android mobile OS. Contacts, phone calls, and SMS/MMS messages are all accessible from both as well.

The full-on Ubuntu OS comes pre-loaded with the Chromium Web browser, the Thunderbird e-mail client, and a selection of other desktop apps. Other than these though, everything in the Ubuntu desktop OS is exactly the same as you would find in any current version of Ubuntu.
While Ubuntu for Android is pretty ground-breaking, its unfortunately not just an app. Ubuntu will have to come preloaded on smartphones. No carrier or OEM partnerships were announced just yet, but you’d have to imagine someone will jump on this, and fast.
Canonical says there will be demonstrations regarding Ubuntu for Android at Mobile World Congress next week in Barcelona. Definitely stay tuned for this one, as it will likely change mobile computing entirely.
A full video of Ubuntu for Android has been posted online courtesy of AndroidPolice. Those interested in the product should definitely take a look. Pretty awesome, amazing stuff.

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