X

Hands-on with Ubuntu for phones and tablets (pictures)

Ubuntu is making the leap from PCs to smartphones and tablets this year, so we took the Android-rivaling software for a spin.

Richard Trenholm
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
Richard Trenholm
20140224_132254.jpg
1 of 20 Rich Trenholm/CNET
Ubuntu is coming to smartphones and tablets. Let's take a look at the software that hopes to challenge Android. It launches on new phones like this one some time this year. Here's Ubuntu for phones and tablets running on a Google Nexus 5 phone and Nexus 7 slate, ahead of the arrival of the first phones, the Meizu MX3 and BQ Aquaris. The OS was previously known as Ubuntu Touch.
004Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
2 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Ubuntu is based around souped-up home screens called "scopes."
005Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
3 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Some scopes look familiar, like this gallery app gathering your videos.
002Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
4 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Here's the photo gallery.
006Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
5 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Scopes are sort of a cross between a home page, an app, and a widget, and can be themed like this soccer-celebrating World Cup scope.
007Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
6 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
You can scroll through embedded carousels and tap to see more. Other possible uses include a scope made by your network or carrier to put your account profile, your bill, and useful links in one place.
003Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
7 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Here you can see your apps, with recently used apps at the top for quick access.
001Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
8 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Swipe in from the left for the app launcher, packed with your favorite shortcuts.
014Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
9 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Swipe up from the bottom when you're in an app for the app's menu.
008Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
10 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Swipe in from the right to scroll back and forth through your currently open apps with this multitasking carousel.
009Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
11 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
The multitasking carousel doesn't disappear when you take your finger off the screen, so you can come back to it if you're interrupted.
010Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
12 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Swipe down from the top to see your notifications and status updates.
013Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
13 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
As you swipe down, scroll sideways to see useful stuff such as recent messages or your network or battery status.
012Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
14 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Settings are also in the pull-down tray.
011Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
15 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Here you can see how long your battery is going to last.
018Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
16 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Ubnutu is designed to be the same on phones and tablets.
015Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
17 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
One unique tablet feature is this multitasking window.
016Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
18 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Pull the multitasking window in from the right and you can use the app without leaving the main app, perhaps doing a quick calculation or checking a message.
017Ubuntu_screens_.jpg
19 of 20 Sarah Tew/CNET
Ubuntu on tablet.
20140224_132144.jpg
20 of 20 Rich Trenholm/CNET
The first two phones to bring Ubuntu to consumers will be the Spanish-made BQ Aquaris, pictured on the left, and the Chinese Meizu MX3.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos