Canonical Crowdfunding Project for Ubuntu Edge Phone

By Kevin Parrish
published

Canonical is looking to raise $32 million in thirty days to produce the dual-boot Ubuntu Edge phone.

Canonical said on Monday that it has launched a crowdfunding campaign to develop the Ubuntu Edge smartphone. This campaign will span thirty days seeking $32 million USD with the intent to produce 40,000 devices. Backers committing $600 (£394) on day one, or $830 (£532) thereafter, will receive one of these mobile devices in May 2014, the company said.

"Ubuntu Edge is the ultimate convergence device - challenging established norms for PCs and smartphones," said Mark Shuttleworth, Founder of Ubuntu. "The crowdfunding approach is a new way to prove demand for cutting edge technologies and new classes of device; supporting the Ubuntu Edge is the best way to catalyze the next generation of personal devices from industry."

Currently the Ubuntu Edge is slated to offer a dual-boot feature, allowing the user to load up either Ubuntu Mobile or Android. However when docked with a monitor, the phone will transform into a full Ubuntu desktop. Because of this, not only will it need the latest and fastest components, but 128 GB of storage by default. The company also expects to use a quad-core SoC and at least 4 GB of RAM.

The company said that on day one, users will be able to launch Ubuntu Desktop from within Android using the existing Ubuntu for Android app. Shortly thereafter, the company will push out a free software update that adds the desktop integration to Ubuntu Mobile as well. At that point, customers will be able to load up Ubuntu Desktop whether they're in Android or Ubuntu Mobile.

"The exquisitely crafted device replaces the traditional glass screen with a pure Sapphire crystal, so tough it could only be scratched by diamond," the company said. "It will also pioneer the use of long-life silicon anode battery technology. A special dual-LTE solution will allow high-speed roaming with access to 4G-LTE broadband in both Europe and the US."

Canonical said the screen will actually measure 4.5 inches and sport a 1280 x 720 display. It will also have an 8MP camera on the back made for low-light, fast response and close up pictures, and a 2MP camera on the front. Other features will include NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, Wireless N, stereo speakers with Active noise Cancellation, MHL connectivity and more.

"To make the future of mobile happen we’ll have to smash every record in crowdfunding history," added Shuttleworth. "But if there are enough enthusiasts who want the ultimate in performance, storage, screen, battery and bandwidth, Ubuntu Edge will be the catalyst for awesome innovation, and a taste of the future of the phone."

The crowdfunding project for Ubuntu Edge, which launched on Monday, can be found at Indiegogo here. It's already generated $557,693 as of this article, and there are still 30 days left.

Kevin Parrish
14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • nevilence
    This "phone" has some intense specs. 29 days to go and its already at 3.6 million
    Reply
  • eklipz330
    so im guessing im the only person that believes crowd funding is a bad idea?
    Reply
  • roger smith
    @eklipz330 it has its risks but great things can come from risk. risk large corporations wont make.
    Reply
  • vmem
    11215723 said:
    @eklipz330 it has its risks but great things can come from risk. risk large corporations wont make.

    not just large corporations, but venture capitalists and wealthy private investors as well. if you don't have the man-power or the connections to secure these funding sources, crowd funding is one way to get off the ground and gain the attention of the bigger players
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    The 128GB SSD alone is going to be a price hog, and so will the 4GB SoC. Good luck to Ubuntu, but nobody wants to see a phone cost $1000.
    Reply
  • teh_chem
    I support this in principle. But 32M is very aggressive. Also sucks no love for Sprint/CDMA networks. Oh well...
    Reply
  • acadia11
    11215790 said:
    The 128GB SSD alone is going to be a price hog, and so will the 4GB SoC. Good luck to Ubuntu, but nobody wants to see a phone cost $1000.

    Says no iPhone 5 64gb owner, and the margin on this $900 phone is huge, Ubuntu should be Abe to build the phone in the 400-500 range including labor. 128gb storage is not that expensive, less than 80 retail.
    Reply
  • DjEaZy
    ... if apple don't get the S#!T together with the next iPhone+iOS... then this phone will bee the way to go...
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    11216302 said:
    11215790 said:
    The 128GB SSD alone is going to be a price hog, and so will the 4GB SoC. Good luck to Ubuntu, but nobody wants to see a phone cost $1000.

    Says no iPhone 5 64gb owner, and the margin on this $900 phone is huge, Ubuntu should be Abe to build the phone in the 400-500 range including labor. 128gb storage is not that expensive, less than 80 retail.

    You're thinking about SSD prices - which I agree is cheap, but keep in mind the 128GB has to be offered in the palm of your hand. There's a reason why even Apple only goes up to 64GB for phone storage, as 128GB is simply not cost efficient to put inside a phone at this point.

    Source: Experience working in the telecommunications industry in R&D.

    Reply
  • Vorador2
    Ridiculously high objective. I would be really surprised if they can meet it.
    Reply