The latest release of Ubuntu Linux is now up for download from Canonical and it covers versions for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. The version is Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy Salamander and it stuck to the schedule they promised.
Canonical is working with device makers and we’ll get to see handsets and tablets with preinstalled software in the following months. You can also install the software yourself, if you own a supported device like a Nexus handset or tablet. There are instructions on how to get it working on the Galaxy Nexus or Nexus 4 here, for example.
Ubuntu Touch is a work in progress right now, since there aren’t that many touch friendly applications on the platform. Also it’s not easy to connect a handset to a keyboard, mouse and monitor to get the OS going. The developers implemented a new display server called Mir, but even that’s not ready. The interesting novelties include an option to log into the Ubuntu One cloud storage service during setup.
There’s also optional support for Nvidia Optimus graphics switching, Smart Scopes in the Unit desktop environment and an update of the kernel to the Linux kernel 3.11 version. Finally, Ubuntu 13.10 comes with support for 64 bit ARM CPUs.
