Ubuntu Edge - Dual Booting Beast

[Explicitic]

Canonical has just announced a $32 million Indiegogo compaign for their new smartphone, "Ubuntu Edge." It is a dual-booting Android and Ubuntu (full desktop) phone and the specs are available below. The estimated delivery date is May 2014. New perks have been added and the phone can now be had for $625, $675, $725, and $830 (the first 3 are limited supply). There is also a $1400 option for two Ubuntu Edge phones.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge

Specs:
-Dual boot Android and Ubuntu Mobile OS
-FULL Desktop Ubuntu when docked
-Fastest Multi-Core CPU available
-At least 4GB RAM
-128GB Storage
-4.5-inch, 1280x720 Sapphire Crystal Display
-8MP/2MP Cameras
-Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
-GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
-Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
-MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
-Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery - ("A nanowire battery is a lithium-ion battery with a stainless steel anode covered in silicon nanowires. It replaces the traditional graphite anode. Silicon, which stores ten times more lithium than graphite, offers the potential for increased energy density, thus reducing the mass of the battery." - Wikipedia)
-64 x 9 x 124mm

I really love that design and this is shaping up to be one beast of a phone.

 

[3bs]

Do you plan on pledging?

 

[Explicitic]

Do you plan on pledging?

I would like to, except I can't. Indiegogo only supports PayPal which I can't use because of their terrible customer service that completely limited my account.

 

[3bs]

I would like to, except I can't. Indiegogo only supports PayPal which I can't use because of their terrible customer service that completely limited my account.

Oh sorry to hear that. I'm still thinking about it. I would prefer to be able to actually hold it in my hand first and I'm not exactly a patient person so I don't want to be waiting long for this

 

[Jessica Lares]

The screen is too big (4.3 was too big for me even). I don't want 128GB on a device that fits in my pocket either. I'm so over that "docked" experience too.

 

[MRU]

clever idea in 'principal'.....

however... I'm not sure many people want to dock their phones to use as computer. If it was really the case, I'm sure the fonepad and atrix would have been far more successful rather than just extremely 'niche'......

so in 'practice' I don't think there is a market for this - other than a 'very small' one.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

clever idea in 'principal'.....

however... I'm not sure many people want to dock their phones to use as computer. If it was really the case, I'm sure the fonepad and atrix would have been far more successful rather than just extremely 'niche'......

so in 'practice' I don't think there is a market for this - other than a 'very small' one.

But this is the first Smartphone with a full OS when docked. IMO, that makes a huge difference. Not many cared for docking only to still have a mobile OS with the Atrix.

 

[Alfuh]

The idea is cool and pushing forward with new innovations is admirable, but it's pretty difficult to pledge $600 for a phone that would have mid-range specs by today's standards and is due out almost a year from now ...

With $830 you can get a phone off contract, a tablet and a low end laptop/netbook/chromebook
Nexus 4 - $300
Nexus 7 - $230 (getting that new one
Samsung Chromebook - $250
Total $780

EDIT - okay read up on it some more and the CPU and RAM aren't mid-range ... screen is okay and camera isn't great

 

[3bs]

The idea is cool and pushing forward with new innovations is admirable, but it's pretty difficult to pledge $600 for a phone that would have mid-range specs by today's standards and is due out almost a year from now ...

With $830 you can get a phone off contract, a tablet and a low end laptop/netbook/chromebook
Nexus 4 - $300
Nexus 7 - $230 (getting that new one
Samsung Chromebook - $250
Total $780

What about this phone is mid range? The only compromise I see being made and they don't seem to think it's a compromise is the PPI. 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage is hardly mid range, no? They haven't mentioned the processor and screen specs so I don't know about those.

 

[appleisking]

The idea is cool and pushing forward with new innovations is admirable, but it's pretty difficult to pledge $600 for a phone that would have mid-range specs by today's standards and is due out almost a year from now ...

With $830 you can get a phone off contract, a tablet and a low end laptop/netbook/chromebook
Nexus 4 - $300
Nexus 7 - $230 (getting that new one
Samsung Chromebook - $250
Total $780

in what way is this mid range? this is a high end phone.

 

[Alfuh]

What about this phone is mid range? The only compromise I see being made and they don't seem to think it's a compromise is the PPI. 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage is hardly mid range, no? They haven't mentioned the processor and screen specs so I don't know about those.

True 'nuff, RAM and Quad core should pull their weight next year. I guess the question would be how well that could run the full desktop OS (I really don't know about how Ubuntu runs...)

The screen and camera are what I was referring to when I said 'mid range' a 720p screen and 8mp camera was impressive last year, not much to write home about this year and will seem outdated by next year especially at a $200 premium from what flagships normally sell for unlocked.

As I said, not meaning to slam this phone or the developers, but it would be a tough sell to most people.

 

[Explicitic]

The idea is cool and pushing forward with new innovations is admirable, but it's pretty difficult to pledge $600 for a phone that would have mid-range specs by today's standards and is due out almost a year from now ...

With $830 you can get a phone off contract, a tablet and a low end laptop/netbook/chromebook
Nexus 4 - $300
Nexus 7 - $230 (getting that new one
Samsung Chromebook - $250
Total $780

Sure, it's expensive but the specs aren't exactly mid-range either. A 720p display on a 4.5inch screen is 326ppi, 4GBs of RAM won't become standard for years, 128GBs will never be standard, and we don't know what quad-core CPU it will come with yet. For people who love specs, this is definitely a phone to get. The design of this phone looks absolutely gorgeous too.

No phone out there will be able to match this one's specs for a while.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I have no desire to own a Ubuntu powered phone.

 

[Alfuh]

Sure, it's expensive but the specs aren't exactly mid-range either. A 720p display on a 4.5inch screen is 326ppi, 4GBs of RAM won't become standard for years, 128GBs will never be standard, and we don't know what quad-core CPU it will come with yet. For people who love specs, this is definitely a phone to get. The design of this phone looks absolutely gorgeous too.

No phone out there will be able to match this one's specs for a while.

How would those specs stand up to running a full desktop OS though?

I know those specs would be pretty crazy on an Android phone, but is Ubuntu as lean an OS?

I really think the concept is cool, carry around a single computer that can be a: phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, smart TV all depending on the dock that you pop it into ... I think that could be the direction things eventually go.

I just don't know if a unit, to be used as a phone, with that price tag and those specs will be what pushes that innovation to become more mainstream

 

[Explicitic]

How would those specs stand up to running a full desktop OS though?

I know those specs would be pretty crazy on an Android phone, but is Ubuntu as lean an OS?

I really think the concept is cool, carry around a single computer that can be a: phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, smart TV all depending on the dock that you pop it into ... I think that could be the direction things eventually go.

I just don't know if a unit, to be used as a phone, with that price tag and those specs will be what pushes that innovation to become more mainstream

The desktop (not touch) version of Ubuntu can be installed and used on Nexus 7 hardware and it works just fine. That should give you some perspective of how well it would work.

Until the price of NAND drops, we won't see phones with 64GBs + of storage for very cheap. The iPhone costs $850 off-contract (64GB). Unlocked 16GB Android phones cost upwards of $650. It's not exactly too expensive if you put it like that.

 

[Alfuh]

The desktop (not touch) version of Ubuntu can be installed and used on Nexus 7 hardware and it works just fine. That should give you some perspective of how well it would work.

Until the price of NAND drops, we won't see phones with 64GBs + of storage for very cheap. The iPhone costs $850 off-contract (64GB). Unlocked 16GB Android phones cost upwards of $650. It's not exactly too expensive if you put it like that.

Thanks for the info ... the way you explain it you're definitely right that the price doesn't seem as outlandish when compared to current 64GB variants of phones off contract.

Read up a bit more about it here on the indiegogo site, it actually doesn't say Quad core CPU, it just says they will use the fastest multi core processor they can at that point.

The concept does seem cool, but the 32 million is a really steep goal ... I'm guessing they won't hit it and will just develop the software for other phones

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

If I had money to burn, I would jump on this.

I watched another video on this and it looks like this might be the most well built hardware on a phone so far.

 

[Explicitic]

Read up a bit more about it here on the indiegogo site, it actually doesn't say Quad core CPU, it just says they will use the fastest multi core processor they can at that point.

Ah, corrected the OP. I read quad-core on Engadget.

 

[3bs]

I have no desire to own a Ubuntu powered phone.

Well it dual boots Android too probably adds to why its so expensive.

 

[Alfuh]

Ah, corrected the OP. I read quad-core on Engadget.

At least I contributed something useful to this thread now

 

[manybreak]

I have no desire to own a Ubuntu powered phone.

This.

 

[Nermal]

Is it just me or are there no specs available on which WCDMA/LTE bands are supported?

 

[MRU]

What about this phone is mid range? The only compromise I see being made and they don't seem to think it's a compromise is the PPI. 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage is hardly mid range, no? They haven't mentioned the processor and screen specs so I don't know about those.

Its high end now..... But.. come May 2014 when it is released ?

4.5", 720p & 8mp !!

 

[Explicitic]

Its high end now..... But.. come May 2014 when it is released ?

4.5", 720p & 8mp !!

720p @ 4.5inches is enough for 326ppi, which I guess you can already consider "outdated" in terms of resolution. It has the same density as the iPhone, so it will look fine. While 1080p would be great, 720p is also fine on a smaller display like this. Other than that, I doubt the camera would be a dealbreaker for most people. The phone will be high-end even in 2015, at least. I don't see any other 4GB/128GB phones coming out any time soon, coupled with, apparently, the "fastest available multi-core processor."

Well, I guess we'll have to wait to see the final spec sheet once it's funded.

 

[Assault]

I'm a fan of the Ubuntu OS, but I wouldn't shell out $600 for vaporware. Once it is released and certified as a quality product, I will buy one.