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The BQ Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition is the first phone to showcase the mobile version of the popular open source operating system.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The Aquaris E4.5 is an existing Android phone made by Spanish manufacturer BQ. The Ubuntu Edition adds new software but the phone remains almost unchanged.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The volume and power buttons are the only physical buttons on the phone.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

This is the phone locked. To wake it, swipe on the screen.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The first scope is a home screen that compiles useful information about your day, like the weather and your appointments.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Swipe in from the left to see a list of apps.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Pressing the orange Ubuntu logo takes you back to your "today scope", the default home screen.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Pullling down from the top reveals the notifications and settings, similar to most mobile operating systems.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Swiping in from the right reveals the apps and scopes you have open in a nifty carousel animation. Keeping your finger on the screen and scrolling back and forth moves through everything open, while flicking your finger quickly hops back to the last app you used.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Swiping up from the bottom lets you manage your scopes.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The news scope pulls in the headlines from various news sources, which you can choose and re-order to see the things that matter to you.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The video scope shows you videos from YouTube and Vimeo.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The music scope combines the music saved on your phone and online sources like YouTube or Soundcloud.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

The music scope also includes music-related services and sources like Songkick, which shows you nearby gigs and tours. Oh look, Elbow are playing.

Caption by Richard Trenholm / Photo by Rich Trenholm/CNET

Tapping on an item takes you to a dedicated scope for that source, service or publication. So here we see that Elbow gig in the Songkick scope.