MWC: Ubuntu for Android video demo

THE INQUIRER got a look at Ubuntu for Android at MWC, and we were told it might come to market later this year.

The operating system was preloaded onto a Motorola Atrix 2, which has a dual-core 1GHz processor, HDMI connectivity and plentiful memory to cope with the 2GB size of Ubuntu.

When using the device in your hand it runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but as soon as it is plugged into a larger display via a HDMI dock, the Ubuntu desktop immediately starts up, giving you access to a PC desktop.

The Linux kernel runs Android and Ubuntu at the same time, so you can also use all the features of Android such as phone calling and apps whilst the device is docked.

Ubuntu Linux vendor Canonical is in talks with device makers to have the software preloaded on Android handset as it requires deep integration. Talks have been positive so far, Canonical said, and handsets could ship later this year. µ