Canonical Announces Ubuntu for Smartphones, Coming in 2014 [VIDEO]

Do you use Ubuntu? Canonical has announced Ubuntu OS for smartphones, scheduled to arrive on devices in early 2014:

“We expect Ubuntu to be popular in the enterprise market, enabling customers to provision a single secure device for all PC, thin client and phone functions. Ubuntu is already the most widely used Linux enterprise desktop, with customers in a wide range of sectors focused on security, cost and manageability” said Jane Silber, CEO of Canonical. “We also see an opportunity in basic smartphones that are used for the phone, SMS, web and email, where Ubuntu outperforms thanks to its native core apps and stylish presentation.”

Engadget went hands-on with Ubuntu on a Galaxy Nexus and here’s their early take on Canonical’s plans:

Speaking of hardware, here’s where you might get a twinge of disappointment: there are no immediate plans for actual Ubuntu phones, and no carriers have been signed up yet — although we’re told that the OS will run on any new phone built for Android, should a manufacturer see merit in installing Ubuntu instead. Rather like Ubuntu for Android, this is still an idea looking for a device — but as ideas go, our initial impression is that it looks like a bright one, especially if you dig Linux and open source. We’re told the Galaxy Nexus-compatible build will be available for download within the next few weeks, and we’re promised actual devices sometimes in 2014 — which is quite a ways away.

Video below with the hands on:

Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth explain Ubuntu’s mobile strategy and what it offers industry partners below:

Looks like this is another mobile operating system being thrown into the competitive mix, which is great for consumers. What do you think about Ubuntu entering the smartphone game? Is 2014 too far away?