ARTICLE

Five Ubuntu Touch Facts

by | Thu 21 Feb 2013

A few days ago we announced [Ubuntu for Tablets](https://www.ubuntu.com/devices/tablet); the next piece on our wider Ubuntu convergence story. The tablet joins the [Phone](https://www.ubuntu.com/devices/phone), [TV](https://www.ubuntu.com/devices/tv), [Ubuntu for Android](https://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android), and the [Desktop](https://www.ubuntu.com/ubuntu). See an excellent hands-on video review of the current developer build [from Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2013/02/20/ubuntu-dev-preview-hands-on/).

Today the source and images for Ubuntu for Phones and Tablets (collectively known as *Ubuntu Touch*) was released.

I know there is some anticipation regarding this release and I just wanted to share a few facts to ensure we are all on the same page:

1. **Both Phone and Tablet code and images are available** – today we are releasing two things for both the phone and the tablet. Firstly, if you simply want to run the software on a spare device, you can install the images on your device without caring about the code. If on the other hand you want to see the code (and contribute to it) we are also making this available too so that you can build, explore, and hack on it.
2. **This is unfinished and in-development software** – it is important to remember that this is *in-development software* and as such *is not finished yet*. You are going to find that some features and applications are missing, and you will likely find bugs. We wanted to release the code and images early so that our community can try the software, provide feedback, and be able to join the development effort. With this goal to get the content out early we just want to ensure everyone fully understands that this is not yet a final product. I strongly recommend you only install the code/images on a spare handset/tablet and not your main phone/tablet due to the fact it is in-development code.
3. **A limited set of devices are supported** – the images are only available for the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10; these are the devices that our development team has been working towards. We appreciate that you may have a different phone or tablet, but unfortunately support for other devices is not currently planned. We will however be kicking off an outreach campaign soon to encourage and support our community in porting the code to other devices. Stay tuned for more!
4. **A new SDK is available also** – in addition to the release of the code and images we have also released a new version of the SDK which includes a number of new features, most usefully the ability to deploy a QML app to a device so you can run it!
* Ubuntu SDK application templates and wizard
* QML2 UI designer
* Templates for testing framework and internationalization
* Deploy QML applications on an Ubuntu Phone/Tablet device
* Basic terminal (ssh, adb) connectivity tools to the device
4. **Know where to find help** – if you have questions or queries you should post your questions to Ask Ubuntu by [clicking here](https://askubuntu.com/questions/ask?tags=mobile,application-development).

I am sure you are now chomping at the bit to grab the images, check out the code, and get the new SDK release! Go and find all the details [here](https://developer.ubuntu.com/2013/02/releasing-the-ubuntu-touch-developer-preview-and-sdk-alpha/).

An invitation-only accelerator that develops industry-leading community engagement and growth via personalized training, coaching, and accountability...all tailored to your company's needs.

Want to read some more?

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Just a quick note to wish all of you a happy, restful, and peaceful holidays, however and whoever you spend it with. Take care, folks, and I look forward to seeing you in 2015!

The Impact of One Person

The Impact of One Person

I am 35 years old and *people* never cease to surprise me. My trip home from Los Angeles today was a good example of this. It was a tortuous affair that should have been a quick hop from LA to Oakland, popping on BArt, and then getting home for a cup of tea and an...

Feedback Requested: Great Examples of Community

Feedback Requested: Great Examples of Community

Folks, I need to ask for some help. Like many, I have some go-to examples of great communities. This includes Wikipedia, OpenStreetmap, Ubuntu, Debian, Linux, and others. Many of these are software related, many of them are Open Source. I would like to ask your...

Ubuntu Governance Reboot: Five Proposals

Ubuntu Governance Reboot: Five Proposals

Sorry, this is *long*, but hang in there. A little while back I wrote [a blog post](https://archivedblog.jonobacon.com/2014/11/14/ubuntu-governance-reboot/) that seemed to inspire some people and ruffle the feathers of some others. It was designed as a...

Ubuntu Governance: Reboot?

Ubuntu Governance: Reboot?

For many years Ubuntu has had a comprehensive governance structure. At the top of the tree are the Community Council (community policy) and the Technical Board (technical policy). Below those boards are sub-councils such as the IRC, Forum, and LoCo councils, and...

Dealing With Disrespect: The Video

Dealing With Disrespect: The Video

A while back I wrote and released a free e-book called [Dealing With Disrespect](https://www.dealingwithdisrespect.com/). It is a book that provides a short, simple to read, free guide for handling personalized, mean-spirited, disrespectful, and in some cases,...