It seems as though the long-awaited convergence of Ubuntu on mobile and desktop is finally in the works, with a Canonical-blessed Ubuntu tablet set to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress next month.
Linux users have long wanted a Canonical-built operating system that can seamlessly transition between the mobile and desktop environment. It was first reported that the tablet would be released on the blog OMGUbuntu on Jan. 14, however, Canonical refused to comment on the device.
The tablet will be based on the Bq Aquaris M10, which is available with Android right now. The device will have a 10-inch screen with a 1280 by 800 resolution display, a 64-bit ARM chip and 2 GB of RAM. Currently, the device has 16 GB of storage as well as an SD card slot. It is believed that the Ubuntu version may offer more storage.
According to Spanish-speaking website Xanata, the device is set to be released on April 21, 2016, and that it will run Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
Bq is also set to offer the X5 Plus phone, which is an extended version of the Aquaris X5 and runs Ubuntu.
While Canonical has long wanted to offer a converged operating system, Microsoft was the first company to actually do so, offering desktop features on the Windows 10 Mobile operating system.
When it is finally released, Ubuntu 16.04 will be available in two versions — a traditional Ubuntu desktop with Unity 7 and an Ubuntu personal build that will come with Unity 8.
We will have to wait and see what a converged Ubuntu operating system actually looks like, but the tablet is sure to be an interesting one.
