Canonical Releases Ubuntu Mobile And Android Dual Boot For Developers

Ubuntu Mobile can now run alongside Android on a single device, but Canonical has warned the new feature is unsuitable for regular users and should only be installed by developers.

The functionality can be installed in a few easy steps and requires the one-off installation of an Android dual boot application, which enables users to install both the chosen version of Ubuntu and the ability to reboot into the operating system.

Dual boot Ubuntu Mobile

Various versions of Android are supported – Android Open Source Project (AOSP), stock Android or CyanogenMod – and Canonical claims that switching between the two has never been easier thanks to the presence of a switching application on each.

However it is keen to stress that only developers that are comfortable with flashing devices and their partition layout should use the feature as dual boot rewrites the Android recovery partition. It recommends that those installing it should be “intimately familiar” with re-flashing in case something goes wrong.

The touchscreen version of Ubuntu Mobile was released earlier this year and forms part of Canonical’s plan for converged computing. It says Ubuntu Mobile can run the same desktop applications as Ubuntu desktop and is hoping to capitalise on its popularity on PCs by targeting businesses and emerging markets.

Ubuntu Edge

Canonical had hoped to release its own Ubuntu Mobile-powered smartphone, the Ubuntu Edge, and to raise $32 million ($20.8m), but despite becoming the world’s biggest ever fixed crowdfunding campaign, it missed its target by two thirds.

A total of $12,809,906 (£8,228,625) was raised, with support coming from 20,000 people, along with Bloomberg, which gave $80,000 (£51,000), and several smaller businesses.

However, Canonical remained confident that the publicity and support would encourage other manufacturers to support the project, with CEO Mark Shuttleworth promising smartphones running the platform would be released in 2014.

He said the project had advanced discussions with manufacturers, while a number of the world’s biggest mobile networks have signed up to the Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group.

Ubuntu Mobile is just one of a number of open source mobile operating systems to emerge in the last few years, with Sailfish, Tizen and Firefox OS all looking to position themselves as genuine alternatives to iOS and Android.

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