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Meizu and bq officially launching Ubuntu smartphones this year

By Florin Troaca

Published: Feb 19, 2014, 12:42 PM

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Meizu and bq officially launching Ubuntu smartphones this year

Remember that rumor about Meizu making an Ubuntu smartphone? It’s no longer a rumor, as Canonical Ltd. - the company behind Ubuntu - today confirmed that the Chinese manufacturer would be among the first to launch Ubuntu handsets later this year. Another company that’s officially making Ubuntu smartphones is Spain’s bq, which reportedly is the second biggest seller of unlocked (affordable) smartphones in Spain.

For the beginning, the first Ubuntu handsets will be available globally, online via Ubuntu.com, Meizu and bq. There are no details on what specs they’ll offer, but they should be based on “the latest hardware.” Pricing details have not been revealed.

Ubuntu for smartphones received support from various mobile carriers, including Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile USA, Vodafone, EE, Three Group, Deutsche Telekom, Portugal Telecom, and Telstra. However, it’s not clear when, or if these carriers will directly sell Ubuntu handsets.

“Ubuntu’s intuitive and visually stunning user interface aligns with our own ethos of producing simple, innovative mobile experiences. This partnership gives us an opportunity to develop a truly different and compelling offering that will support our strategy to deliver devices to both China as well as internationally,” sayd Li Nan, Meizu’s VP Sales and Marketing.

“Ubuntu puts the control back into the hands of our partners and presents an exciting platform for consumers, delivering an experience which departs from the tired app icon grid of Android and iOS and provides a fluid, content-rich experience for all,” declared Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical and Ubuntu.

Earlier this month, Ubuntu was voted in one of our polls as the emerging mobile OS that’s most likely to succeed in the fierce smartphone market. Let’s wait and see if it will indeed succeed.

source: Ubuntu