Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories?
No, thank you Accept
X
WWDC: Everything We ExpectRemote Working in ParadiseBest Mineral SunscreensBest Solar CompaniesCNET CouponsMeal Subscription vs. TakeoutBest Satellite Internet ProvidersCurrent Mortgage Rates
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Ubuntu for phones delayed until 2014, but on Nexus 4 now

The Google Nexus 4 is one of the only phones powered by the new Ubuntu smart phone OS this year as official phones are delayed.

richard-trenholm-square.jpg
richard-trenholm-square.jpg
Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
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.
Expertise Films, TV, Movies, Television, Technology
See full bio
Richard Trenholm
2 min read
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

The Google Nexus 4 and Galaxy Nexus are the only only phones powered by the new Ubuntu smart phone OS for a whole year, as we won't see official Ubuntu phones until 2014.

Smart phones powered by Ubuntu software were set to launch in October this year, but have now been put back until the first quarter of 2014. That's a delay of a good few months, not to mention a whole year of new Android smart phones and a new iPhone, no doubt selling like hot cakes -- making it much harder for rival platforms to establish a foothold.

A delay of this size can cause problems for new or niche platforms -- just look how Microsoft's Windows Phone is struggling to establish itself having come late to the smart party.

A high-end phone is promised from a big-name manufacturer, potentially challenging the op-end smart phones arriving this year. 

Ubuntu OS for smart phones is a new operating system based on the popular Linux distribution. There's also a version for tablets, the idea being that the different versions are coded closely enough to allow apps and features to work across your phone, tablet and computer. Although phones powered by Ubuntu won't appear until next year, the software will still be available in October.

In the meantime, you can try out Ubuntu for phones on the Nexus 4 or Galaxy Nexus. Or you can preview the tablet version on your Google Nexus 7 or Nexus 10 slate.

Is Ubuntu going to miss the boat? What do new platforms need to do to force their way into the crowded market? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.