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Canonical Developing Ubuntu OS For Tablets
snydeq writes "Canonical is preparing a version of the Ubuntu OS for tablet computers as the company looks to extend its presence in the mobile space, InfoWorld reports. The OS will be a lightweight version of Linux with a simplified, touch-friendly user interface, and tablets with the Ubuntu OS could become available late in winter 2011. The focus will be on developing an OS with a simplified user interface that provides quick access to the most-used applications. Development efforts will also focus on adding on-screen keyboard features and compatibility for multitouch drivers."
Well, the consequence of putting Ubuntu, or any linux distro on a tablet, is that it would provide a less restrictive platform than the iPad. If you want your own drivers, software, etc, then you can just apt-get them. I imagine this will also be nicer for developers as they wouldn't have to wrestle with vague rules on getting their work submitted to the apple store. What Canonical should do, after this, is setup an opt-in app store, such that users can support developers if they want to.
The iPad is out NOW. Windows tablets will be out SOON. Why be so late to the game? I don't understand the slowness of FOSS to catch Win/Mac.
And the android tablet was out in 2009. I don't understand why the Win/Mac are so slow to catch up...
Attention... all grammer nazi"s! Is they're anything; wrong with: my post,
If this is a business device, the killer app is OneNote. Sure tablets dont suit a lot of people, but if you want to take notes, do research, read and link information, be mobile etc... Onenote is it. Evernote is not. (right idea, wrong execution). There are also niche applications (medical etc), but from a general business focus... do Onenote.
If its a consumer device - create an open iPad. BUT you will also need to ensure that Music, Reading, Web browsing, Gaming, Sharing work brilliantly. Only Apple has really succeeded with that, as long as you live in their ecosystem. If you can made those apps work openly **and** get the media providers on board, then you stand a chance.
If this has X11, I doubt it will be especially lightweight.
Er, the Nokia n series including the 770, n8x0 and n900 all use X11. Works fantastically.
The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.