Canonical is getting into the smartphone system wars with their Ubuntu OS, still far away from the top dogs of Android and iOS and even the second tier systems like Windows Phone and BB10. Ubuntu OS is going to be fighting to be the new OS in town with Mozilla’s Firefox OS and Jolla, among others. The winner of that fight, will still have a long way to go to actually be called a successful mobile OS, the real fight will begin as the winner battles Windows Phone and BB10 for third place while Android and iOS still reign over everything else. Don’t forget that none of these companies is staying still waiting for the others to catch up, any new contender will have to learn fast and make few to none mistakes. If anyone tries to emulate any other feature without evolving, they are dead on arrival, since by the time they get that done, all of the other, more successful phones will be already in the next step.
Canonical is starting to make its first waves, already drawing attention in Europe gathering some of the telecoms to join the Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group (CAG) to help them shape the OS “into the most compelling, new, alternative platform for mobile.” The U.S. is ground that Canonical need to gain and bringing Verizon Wireless, the largest carrier in the U.S., on board is a strong step in the right direction.
Samir Vaidya, a member of Verizon’s Device Technology team said:
“Verizon Wireless is joining Ubuntu’s CAG to participate in technology discussions around this new platform, which has the ability to bring new and exciting features to developers and ultimately, customers.”
Canonical is aiming to get the first Ubuntu-based phone in two global markets by October of this year, and start working from there to get more markets throughout 2014.
Windows Phone is having a really hard time getting carriers and consumers on board in the U.S., do you think Canonical has a chance with Ubuntu OS? Verizon was the one to jump-start Android with the Droid line, maybe Canonical thinks Big Red can do the same for them.
Maybe Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth can talk you into trying out Ubuntu Phone?: