The British computer software company Canonical has launched its very first Ubuntu tablet called Aquaris M10.
The device is an Ubuntu-fied version of the Spanish device maker BQ's existing Aquaris M10 tablet. The company that makes the open-source operating system Ubuntu and tried to raise $32 million for a smartphone has promised that the device is just a keyboard and mouse away from a full desktop experience, ZDNet reported.
Just plug in these peripherals and the tablet switches from a full-screen mobile layout to a windowed user interface. Add a monitor, and the user will get an Ubuntu PC. It is a niche computing experience, but it is one that is full of possibilities. It features a dynamically adaptive user experience. In short it can give the user both a true tablet experience and the full Ubuntu desktop experience.
Canonical has been working towards this goal of one operating system and one interface for all devices for years. Ubuntu's tablet ambitions stretch back for years; Canonical released an Ubuntu installer for the original Nexus 7, and a preview version of Ubuntu Touch was made available for the Nexus 10.
The M10 retains the quirks of Ubuntu’s mobile OS, according to The Verge. Instead of having a single home screen or app drawer, there are scopes, themed screens that collate information from apps in certain categories such as News or Messages. User can swipe in from the left of the tablet to bring up a task bar with pinned applications, or swipe in from the right to access for a carousel-style app switcher with recently-used programs.
The tablet has a 10.1-inch touchscreen with 1080p video. It is powered by MediaTek quad-core MT8163A 1.5GHz processor. It is paired up with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage, which has 11GBs available for use and can be expanded up to 64GB via microSD.
M10 features 8MP with autofocus and dual flash and front mounted speakers. As for connection, it contains 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, FM Radio, and Micro HDMI port. Lastly, its battery capacity is 7,280mAh Li-Po.
Canonical‘s first tablet can cover email, messaging, news, music, and more. As the underlying framework for Ubuntu’s mobile OS is the same as its desktop OS, anything that works on Ubuntu PCs and laptops can work on its mobile devices and vice versa.
The company has not yet announced the pricing details but interested buyers can expect a price tag of $260. It will be available in the second quarter of 2016.