The Ubuntu for phones Touch Developer Preview release date has been given a mention and the upcoming mobile platform will be available for the Galaxy Nexus as well as the Nexus 4 next week. Do note that this isn’t the desktop UI add-on which was shown off a long time back and flashing the OS should replace the Android platform.
It looks like the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 are not only fortunate to get the latest Android builds, but also lucky to be the first to get a taste of the Ubuntu for phones Touch Developer Preview OS. Canonical states that the platform will be showed off at the upcoming MWC starting February 25th to the 28th on a wide range of devices. And here’s the best part – Those attending the expo will be able to get their smartphones flashed to the latest OS with help from the team members present at the boot. This is likely to be limited only to the Nexus devices in question.
The SDK to develop tools for the platform is already up for download through the developer channel and an app design guide has also been published to make the procedure an intuitive task. Additionally, software created here wouldn’t have to be packaged differently for phones, tablets, PCs and TVs as the app binary is capable of doing the needful. Those developing HTML5-based programs will find it convenient to get their tools on the OS as native and web applications are treated as equal.
The Touch Developer Preview of Ubuntu for phones is scheduled to go live this Thursday, February 21, 2013. The firmware will be available for download through the wiki.ubuntu.com/TouchInstallProcess website on the said date and tools for flashing it onto handsets will also be up for grabs at launch. For those who don’t have a Galaxy Nexus or a Nexus 4 in possession and still want to experience the new mobile platform or just get the visual feel of it, there are a bunch of themes and applications on the Play store than can be of some help. A few developers have even mimicked the slide-out Unity bar seen in the OS.
