Ubuntu for Android: Your Desktop into your Smartphone

Linux developer Canonical has unveiled plans for a version of Ubuntu to run on Android smartphones which will use the same kernel as the Linux-based Android OS.

Designed to run on docked Android phones, Canonical said that Ubuntu will be an ideal companion to powerful multi-core CPU-equipped. The company is looking to target the developing world by turning smartphones into more general computing devices.


Ubuntu.com makes the case for device manufacturers to integrate the OS, arguing that it would drive demand for higher spec devices with fast CPUs and next-generation 4G wireless. The company hinted at an emerging ecosystem as users would be interested in docks, keyboards and monitors to go with their Android/Ubuntu phone.

While the attraction might be a little on the cool side for mainstream consumers, Canonical makes a powerful case when it comes to enterprise software given the ability to deliver industrial solutions for mobile workers such as VMWare, Citrix and Adobe applications.

With the increasing specifications of smartphones, the idea of a smartphone that runs a mobile-focused small screen 'app'-based OS with a larger full featured OS for a desktop is a solid one. It's even more likely to arrive on some phones given that Android phone makers are always on the hunt for features to differentiate themselves from Android rivals.




Experience Ubuntu for Android :

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RIM releases OS 2.0 update for Blackberry Playbook

Research In Motion released a free upgraded operating system for its struggling PlayBook computer tablet yesterday, almost a year later than it first said it would. The BlackBerry maker said the software allows for built-in email, calendar and contacts on the tablet.

When RIM launched the PlayBook last April it said would add the critical features within 60 days, but later pushed that back to the summer and then to October and finally to February. The PlayBook received negative reviews because it launched without an email programme.

The PlayBook OS 2.0 software update is available as a free download. It also allows users to use their BlackBerry's as a keyboard and mouse for the Playbook.

The Playbook is RIM's first effort to branch out from its smartphone base and capture a portion of the tablet computer market. The tablets however haven't been selling well, forcing the company to sell them at a deep discount.

In December, the tablets that originally cost USD 500 were selling for USD 200, below the cost of making them. RIM wrote off USD 485 million worth of inventory. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said they sold 150,000 Playbook tablets last quarter. That number pales in comparison to the top-selling iPad, of which Apple shipped 15.4 million units during its most recent quarter.

Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis stepped aside as RIM's co-CEOs last month. Thorsten Heins became the new chief as the once-iconic maker of the BlackBerry smartphone confronts the most difficult period in its history.

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Apple's OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion - Developer's Preview - Important Features

Apple has introduced the developer preview of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, a prime update to its seven-month old OS X 10.7 Lion for Macs. The new version of Mac operating system has come with several impressive updates and improvements. The Mountain Lion is set for public release this summer. Indeed, the next version of Apple’s MacBook Airs and other flagship Mac computers will run the new operating system. Here is everything you should know of the OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion.

‘Mac’ in ‘Mac OS X’ is no more
Apple announced that it has removed ‘Mac’ in ‘Mac OS X.’ It means the company will call the new update ‘OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion,’ not ‘Mac OS X 10.8.’ It looks like that ‘Mac’ will now be only a term to indicate hardware. ‘OS X’ will represent the software from now onwards. The rebranding is certainly sensible as people used to address various Apple computers with a simple term ‘Mac.’

A new Safari
During OS X Mountain Lion announcement Apple has revealed no more features of the OS. However, it has announced a developer preview of Safari 5.2 for 10.7 Lion with some Mountain Lion UI enhancements. Analysts hope the new Safari will also appear on Mountain Lion, Apple has introduced many features including a Chrome-style universal search bar and several others. Safari certainly requires some advanced changes to compete with Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

Mountain Lion drops support for older Macs
It is a disappointing thing for the owners of older Macs. The new version of OS X Mountain Lion will not support many previous models. The list includes iMac (mid 2007 or later), MacBook (13-inch aluminum, 2008 and some other models), MacBook Pro (13-inch, mid-2009 or later), (15-inch, 2.4/2.2 GHz) and (17-inch, late 2007 or later), Mac Mini (early 2009 or later), MacBook Air (late 2008 or later), Xserve (early 2009) and Mac Pro (early 2008 or later) and so on.

At a glance, it looks like Intel’s older chips (GMA 950 and GMA X3100) are to blame for the support issues of Mountain Lion. However, since Macs with ATI Radeon and Nvidia GeForce solutions currently run Lion but won’t run this Mountain Lion build, we think there’s more to the story. The late 2006 iMacs (ATI Radeon X1600) and MacBook Pros (Mobility X1600), as well as the original Mac Pros (Nvidia GeForce 7300) are all on the chopping block too — at least for the time being,” says Jeff Blagdon of The Verge.

AirPlay Mirroring
The much-touted iOS feature for wireless streaming of content is to appear on OS X Mountain Lion. Well, AirPlay has been one of drastic iOS features ever. Users can stream contents of their MacBook Air notebooks and other Mac computers to HDTVs or large other screens. There is no need to connect your computer using cables now.

Notification Center
Apple introduced an advanced Notification Center on iOS 5 last year. The new feature helps users have a quick look at all notifications such as texts, e-mails, calls, friend requests and others on their handsets. Of course, Notification Center has been one of flagship features of iOS. It is now to appear on OS X with the Mountain Lion version. Well, you can keep an active notification center on the home screen of your iMac and MacBook Air also.

iMessage
It is yet another tremendous iOS 5 feature. The iMessage is meant for free delivery of texts between iOS 5-enabled gadgets over internet connectivity. The new OS X Mountain Lion is to tout iMessage as one of key features.

Sum-up
Apple is obviously designing the Mountain Lion with more simplicity and perfection. Consumers want more user-friendly and feature-rich operating systems. From this year onwards, Apple also intends to update OS X yearly. It is to utilize the growing trends in technology and also to keep consumers satisfied always.

“That’s partially to match the breakneck pace of iOS development, but also to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Mac in general — Mac sales have outgrown the general PC market for something like six years now, and Apple says it’s investing heavily in the platform to build on that trend,” says Nilay Patel of the Verge.

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Android to inspire Baidu’s new OS

At Baidu World – Chinese search giant, Baidu’s annual event held in Beijing the search giant’s mobile OS, called Baidu Yi was launched. It was revealed earlier that Baidu would build its mobile OS closely on the lines of Google’s popular OS, Android.

To begin with, smartphones running Baidu Yi will have a feature similar to the popular Google Places, called Shen Bian which essentially is a maps-based feature, an e-book reader made on the lines of Apple’s iBooks, called Yue and a music app, called Ting, among others. Reportedly, the new OS will come included with strong cloud integration for storage, back-up options, and sharing.

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