Canonical announces Ubuntu OS for Smartphones

Ending a long time rumor Canonical announced that it is going to release smartphone version of its OS Ubuntu.

This OS is currently the number three desktop operating system with 20M users, and about 30,000 downloads per day. 2012 was a great year for this popular Debian-based Linux distribution with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS as the most popular release in the history of Ubuntu.

"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."

Smartphone interface is entirely based on Ubuntu's unity interface which was made default interface since 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) release.

Every edge of the phone has an interesting purpose...

Swiping up the left edge brings the app launcher similar to in desktop. Using top edge you can search your phone and the internet. A swipe from the right edge takes you back to the previous app you are in. Swiping up from the bottom edge of the phone reveals app controls. 

I personally think this option enables faster switching between apps than any other smartphone. And also the global search feature enables easy finding of content, apps and different products.

The OS will have both web-based HTML-5 apps as well as native apps.

Ubuntu OS has support for both ARM and x86 processors. This means it could be made to run on most, if not all, of today's Android-powered smartphones without too much effort.

The OS starts with a artistic welcome screen.

Shuttleworth confirmed that universal version of smartphone OS will be available in April 2014 with Ubuntu 14.04.

Facebook Camera for iPhone with Instagram features

After a $1b acquisition agreement with a free photo sharing company Instagram, Facebook has launched a photo sharing smartphone app called Camera(Presently only for some apple products).

The app allows users to take multiple pictures and share them at once rather than uploading them one at a time. And also ,users can -and share- videos much more easily than with the regular app.

This app includes many of the filters and tweaks similar to Instagram.
Download at itunes

"When you launch the app, you'll see a feed of just great photos from the people you care about," Facebook reps wrote in a press release. "You can swipe to see more of any album or tap to enlarge an individual photo." Facebook Camera is currently available on the iPhone; versions for Android and other mobile operating systems may follow.

Samsung Galaxy fit :Does it fit for you ?

The Register Review: Full marks to Samsung’s marketing folk for the Galaxy Fit’s go-getting name, but it’s actually a fairly low-end Android smart phone with an outdated OS, low resolution screen and less than speedy processor. That said, it has a few good points too, including a surprisingly good 5Mp camera.

Bearing a passing resemblance to the recently released Galaxy Mini (aren’t there an awful lot of Galaxys recently?) the Fit has a similar glossy black fascia surrounded by chrome-look trim on its gently curved edges. What looks like a D-pad beneath the screen is actually the Android home button, flanked by touch sensitive menu and back buttons (there’s no search).

HTC and Beats Deal for a better sound experience

HTC is making a strategic tie-up with Beats Electronics, investing $300 million for a majority stake in the digital sound company and working to incorporate Beats technology into its product line.

“With the magic of mobile devices, it is easier than ever to discover and buy new music,” HTC CEO Peter Chou said in in an interview with AllThingsD on Wednesday. “However, without great sound experience it is a shame.”

LG Optimus 3D : First smartphone with a 3D screen

[ITR] : It started in cinemas, but now 3D is everywhere.TV, gaming, handheld consoles - it was the big selling point of the Nintendo 3DS - but now LG reckons that glasses-free 3D might be the thing to help it fend off the threat of a forthcoming Apple iPhone 5. But does it actually work on a smartphone handset?

Big, bold and beautiful :

We can't help really liking the LG Optimus 3D, even before we start to consider its visual speciality. This is a big handset, though. A very big handset indeed. With a screen measuring 4.3 inches diagonally, it's right at the limit of appropriate sizing for a smartphone. Many people will be unable to reach across the screen one-handed. We couldn't.

But the screen is superb. 480x800 pixels of bright, sharp rendering make for great web browsing, video viewing and picture looking. Even in 2D.

3D fun :

The 3D element of the LG Optimus 3D only kicks in when you choose that option from the home screen. Do so, and a new interface pops up in the shape of a 3D carousel, offering a 3D Gallery, 3D Camera, 3D Games and Apps, YouTube 3D and a user guide.

There are twin camera lenses on the back of the chassis. You can use these to shoot 3D images at 3 megapixels, or 2D images at 5 megapixels. There are a couple of 3D games, and a reasonable amount of 3D video available via the YouTube link.

The LG Optimus 3D can even take a stab at turning 2D stills and video into 3D, too - though we felt the effect wasn't as good as you get with native 3D content. An HDMI cable can be used to send 3D output to a 3D TV, if you have one.

One minor niggle is that you have to hold the LG Optimus 3D at just the right angle for the 3D capability to work, and it really only works for one person at a time. Nonetheles, we were impressed nonetheless.

And the rest?:

LG has put a fair amount of thought into the rest of the Optimus 3D's specifications, and they're high-end - though not quite flagship. There is a 1GHz dual-core Texas Instruments processor and 512MB of RAM, which has been divided into two sections so that the processor can access each - and, says LG, go faster as a result. We still found the Optimus 3D a little sluggish at times, though. LG's Android skin includes seven home screens and a widget-resizing feature that helps you make the most of the big screen.