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The company behind the Ubuntu distribution of the Linux operating system has plans to bring the free OS to new form factors including smartphones and tablet PCs.
Speaking to ZDnet ahead of the Ubuntu Developer Summit in Florida, Canonical boss Mark Shuttleworth said that the firm would be looking beyond the desktop computer for future versions.
"As people have moved from desktop to new form factors for computing, it’s important for us to reach out to out community on these platforms. So, we’ll embrace the challenge of how to use Ubuntu on smartphones, tablets and smart-screens," said Shuttleworth.
Ubuntu’s new user interface Unity is said to be part of plans to offer a consistent platform across different genres of devices.
Shuttleworth said of the apparent late launch against rivals such as iOS and Android that "disruptive elements could still establish themselves," and suggested that Windows too was in the same position as Ubuntu in mobile devices, and could both be a "real force."
