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"Invite-Only" Ubuntu Mobile-Powered Meizu UX4 Goes On Sale

Posted by samzenpus on from the try-again dept.

Mickeycaskill writes: Chinese manufacturer Meizu and Ubuntu developer Canonical have released the MX4 smartphone, but prospective owners will have to 'earn' an opportunity to buy the phone by playing an interactive origami game. Players are limited to three chances per day and this is the only way to buy the smartphone as it will no go on wider sale at a later date. The MX4 is the third Ubuntu Mobile smartphone to be released, following the BQ Aquaris E4.5 and E5 devices.

51 comments

  1. Useless article, faulty summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Editors, how about some editing? And a link to the meat of the matter?

    1. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Penguinisto · · Score: 1

      Gotta agree - a link to the actual site that, you know, *sells* the damned things would be nice...

      --
      Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    2. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by qrwe · · Score: 0

      +1 Insightful

      --
      There are 2 types of people in the world - those who understand decimal and those who don't.
    3. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Gotta agree - a link to the actual site that, you know, *sells* the damned things would be nice...

      It's OOS - if you want a link that's not provided write it yourself...

      --
      I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
    4. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      Here's a link that talks about the MX4 (or is it UX4? The article is unclear).

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      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    5. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by ArcadeMan · · Score: 0

      Virtual +1 Funny

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      Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    6. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Holi · · Score: 1

      prospective owners will have to 'earn' an opportunity to buy the phone by playing an interactive origami game. Players are limited to three chances per day and this is the only way to buy the smartphone as it will no go on wider sale at a later date

      It's in the summary, but maybe a link to the game you have to play to win an invite.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    7. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by ourlovecanlastforeve · · Score: 3, Informative

      You wouldn't want it if you had it.

      Ubuntu's mobile OS has all the same problems as FirefoxOS:

      It has zero native apps but pretends to have lots of "apps" which are actually just icons that link to mobile websites.

      The OS itself is a confusion of UI elements and interactions that require one to spend more time navigating the OS than using it.

    8. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by rjstanford · · Score: 2

      The OS itself is a confusion of UI elements and interactions that require one to spend more time navigating the OS than using it.

      That's the classic problem. I don't want an OS to be noticeable - if I see your transition as anything other than "expected", you're doing it wrong. The job of the OS should be to get the fuck out of the way and let me use my device. So far - for me at least - that leaves me at OSX/iOS by default (although they still manage to intrude, they're getting even better with age).

      I feel the same way about *NIX window managers - if you have to "use" them on a regular basis, they're doing it wrong.

      --
      You're special forces then? That's great! I just love your olympics!
    9. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by behrooz0az · · Score: 1

      It got overrided

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      Moderating "-1, Disagree" is simple censorship. Have the guts to post your opinion. -- Spazmania (174582)
    10. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 1

      It has zero native apps but pretends to have lots of "apps" which are actually just icons that link to mobile websites.

      Wait, it cannot run all the various OSS that the desktop version runs? What's the fucking point?

      I thought it was all about trying to get more command line level control into a phone, to make it easier to do serious things.

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    11. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by sad_ · · Score: 1

      No worries, you can install a terminal 'app' and then you have access to a linux shell, start python and apt-get install stuff till you drop.

      --
      On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
    12. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · · Score: 1

      On Android in general, some variants of Android, or UbuntuOS? Because that's interesting.

      I assume a ton of OSS is C++, so it can just be (or has been) recompiled* for ARM7

      *I'm rusty on recompiling on a different chipset; vis-a-vis recompiling C or C++ code.

      --
      Your ad here. Ask me how!
    13. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by sad_ · · Score: 1

      "On Android in general, some variants of Android, or UbuntuOS? Because that's interesting.
      I assume a ton of OSS is C++, so it can just be (or has been) recompiled* for ARM7"

      I was talking about the ubuntu phone with 'ubuntu touch' on it.
      it is just a core ubuntu system, apt is enabled with the ubuntu ARM repositories.

      --
      On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.
    14. Re:Useless article, faulty summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What an annoying site, with no link to the actual page to buy it or apply for an invite. Slashdot editors, try linking to more useful articles or sites in the future, please.

  2. Interesting design by wardrich86 · · Score: 1

    Interesting how Android handsets strive to look like a iPhones while iOS strives to look like Android.

  3. But will it run... by srussia · · Score: 1

    Sailfish OS?

    --
    Set your phasers on "funky"!
  4. A few years ago by DrXym · · Score: 1
    Ubuntu hacked a Motorola Atrix so it ran Android when you used it like a phone, but plug it into a dock and suddenly it became a full blown Linux desktop. That's a concept ripe with potential. Doesn't have to be Android of course, but just the idea that it's a phone when you carry it around but you can use it as a computer too with a dock with some ports on it.

    I'm kind of surprised that Microsoft haven't done something like that yet with an Atom powered phone. As for Ubuntu, I hope for their sake they are because I don't see much reason to use a phone running Ubuntu Linux otherwise.

    1. Re:A few years ago by masterofthumbs · · Score: 1

      Microsoft is probably better off just sticking to what they do well, the surface and its derivatives. Their phones have always been less desirable and they can never seem to come out with a product that people actually enjoy using. They do well with their tablets and should stick to keeping those up-to-date with the latest tech.

    2. Re:A few years ago by Dragonslicer · · Score: 1

      Ubuntu hacked a Motorola Atrix so it ran Android when you used it like a phone, but plug it into a dock and suddenly it became a full blown Linux desktop.

      Ubuntu hacked...? I seem to recall that being a feature that was implemented by Motorola.

    3. Re:A few years ago by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Microsoft is probably better off just sticking to what they do well, the surface and its derivatives.

      Muhahahahahaha... good one!

    4. Re:A few years ago by DrXym · · Score: 1

      The Atrix had a dock which turned the Android phone into an Android tablet. Ubuntu hacked it so when you docked the phone it became a proper Linux desktop. How they did it I don't know, but I assume there was some virtualization going on.

    5. Re:A few years ago by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 1

      Ubuntu hacked a Motorola Atrix so it ran Android when you used it like a phone, but plug it into a dock and suddenly it became a full blown Linux desktop. That's a concept ripe with potential. Doesn't have to be Android of course, but just the idea that it's a phone when you carry it around but you can use it as a computer too with a dock with some ports on it.

      Bzzzt, wrong. Motorola is the one that implemented the modified Ubuntu desktop when docking the Atrix. It was not Canonical that did that.

    6. Re:A few years ago by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 1

      The Atrix had a dock which turned the Android phone into an Android tablet.

      No. The Atrix had a dock that provided a desktop that used a modified Ubuntu.

      The Atrix 4G was one of the first Motorola devices to ship with its Webtop platform. When the phone is placed into its HD Multimedia Dock or Laptop Dock accessories, the user can access an Ubuntu-based desktop featuring access to the phone and its applications via the Mobile View'application, integration of Android notifications into the desktop, multimedia playback through Entertainment Center, file management through Nautilus, and the Firefox web browser (along with support for Prism for the site-specific browsers used on Webtop mode).[19]

    7. Re:A few years ago by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 1

      It seems they are referring to "Ubuntu for Android" now that they've provided a link to what they are referring to.

    8. Re:A few years ago by harrkev · · Score: 1

      I don't get it. How the HELL can Canonical ever call this a success? The phones are not going on sale to the general public. How many units does it take to make back the NRE?? Well, if you are intentionally limiting the units, it may take a hell of a lot. What is up with this business move?

      --
      "-1 Troll" is the apparently the same as "-1 I disagree with you."
    9. Re:A few years ago by Holi · · Score: 1

      That wasn't a hack. That was a selling feature. The hack (which had nothing to do with Ubuntu btw, it was done by some guy on the XDA boards.) was to enable the linux desktop without the dock accessory.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    10. Re:A few years ago by Holi · · Score: 1

      No really the surface is well designed hardware. But I would say Microsoft should get back to making gaming hardware.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    11. Re:A few years ago by Holi · · Score: 2

      What are you smoking? The Atrix came, from Motorola, with Webtop, a version of Ubuntu. It was a desktop when you plugged it into the dock accessory.

      "The Atrix 4G was one of the first Motorola devices to ship with its Webtop platform. When the phone is placed into its HD Multimedia Dock or Laptop Dock accessories, the user can access an Ubuntu-based desktop featuring access to the phone and its applications via the Mobile View'application, integration of Android notifications into the desktop, multimedia playback through Entertainment Center, file management through Nautilus, and the Firefox web browser (along with support for Prism for the site-specific browsers used on Webtop mode).[19]

      In September 2011, Motorola released the source code of the Webtop software on SourceForge.[20]"

      The hack was created by Fenny from XDA, that allowed access to Webtop without purchasing the dock accessory.

      Don't argue, I am right, I have an Atrix sitting in my desk at home. I am very familiar with the phone and it's hacks.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    12. Re:A few years ago by rjstanford · · Score: 1

      Ubuntu hacked a Motorola Atrix so it ran Android when you used it like a phone, but plug it into a dock and suddenly it became a full blown Linux desktop. That's a concept ripe with potential. Doesn't have to be Android of course, but just the idea that it's a phone when you carry it around but you can use it as a computer too with a dock with some ports on it.

      Why? We're rapidly reaching the point where for the cost of the dock/monitor/keyboard/etc the additional uncharge for the processor and network card is basically zero. Combine that with cloud-storage (or even phone-storage if you have to) and you have a much simpler, more flexible solution that's usable independently.

      --
      You're special forces then? That's great! I just love your olympics!
    13. Re:A few years ago by Microlith · · Score: 1

      Now if only they hadn't crippled it then told those who were asking them to dial down the security to go away.

    14. Re:A few years ago by DrXym · · Score: 1

      Bzzzt, wrong. Motorola is the one that implemented the modified Ubuntu desktop when docking the Atrix. It was not Canonical that did that.

      Bzzt, wrong. Canonical did although Motorola may have licenced what they produced or cooperated.

    15. Re:A few years ago by DrXym · · Score: 1

      Yes and Canonical worked on it too.

    16. Re:A few years ago by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 1

      I'm kind of surprised that Microsoft haven't done something like that yet with an Atom powered phone.

      They are. It's called Continuum and allows one to plug and pray mice, keyboards and external screens into one's Windows 10 phone.

    17. Re:A few years ago by DrXym · · Score: 1

      Canonical were involved. There are vids shot in their offices demoing it.

  5. Link by enigma32 · · Score: 1

    https://insights.ubuntu.com/20...

    but the link to the Meizu website provided there is broken right now: http://www.meizu.com/en/ubuntu...

    1. Re:Link by paulatz · · Score: 0

      This is the correct link on weizu web site however, no way to buy it at the moment,as far as I could find.

      --
      this post contain no useful information, no need to mod it down
  6. Not until tomorrow.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    "The Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition will sell for €300 (roughly $336), and while we don’t know how many invitations will be available to start, it seems that some will be up for grabs on a daily basis. The link to the origami wall on the Meizu website goes live on June 25."

    http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/meizu-mx4-ubuntu-edition-news/

  7. The rulers of Ubuntu are diehard Republicans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is the most Republican thing I've ever heard. They really do hate us.

  8. ... in Europe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When does a US phone ship?

  9. So limited run and no support by Holi · · Score: 1

    "prospective owners will have to 'earn' an opportunity to buy the phone by playing an interactive origami game. Players are limited to three chances per day and this is the only way to buy the smartphone as it will no go on wider sale at a later date"

    I think i'll pass, from the sounds of it, there will be very few made, so 1 no accessories (no cases, no screen protectors, yada yada yada), 2 extremely limited support (think weeks if something goes wrong and you have to get warranty service). 3, it's 1 of 3 Ubuntu phones, so no native apps.

    --
    Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
  10. really guys.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    how many of these useless posts are actually plants from our misguided overlords?
    Fake, falsies,what ever

    -1 truth..

    1. Re:really guys.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ya, just to stir the kettle

  11. Sounds Bad by barbariccow · · Score: 1

    This sounds like a really bad phone. You have to complete a puzzle game to show you can figure out really obtuse interfaces and make due with paper whenever necessary? Speaks a lot toward the quality of implementation on this phone.

  12. google plus anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Invite only?! But that only makes me want it more!

  13. Ads? by tepples · · Score: 1

    To get people to look at advertisements embedded in the origami game, I guess. The "energy mechanic" limiting players to three tries per day is a classic move for mobile free-to-play games.

  14. Just installed Ubuntu touch on my nexus 4 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Pretty good. But glacially slow for loading paps for the first time. Especially the calculator!?!

  15. Third Times the charm. by bobstreo · · Score: 1

    So this is the third iteration of Ubuntu phone this year. Still not for sale in the US.

    I'm waiting for the 5th-10th iteration, when there is something of value. Maybe,

    Oh and sold in the US would be nice.

  16. Artificial scarcity by aNonnyMouseCowered · · Score: 1

    I suspect said sale is designed simply to create buzz, that Canonical is making a phone OS that "real" people (and not just geeks) want. Maybe having respectable numbers sold would get the bigger Chinese manufacturers or even Uncle Sammy interested? It's the tried and sometimes true strategy of guerilla marketing. Or maybe we can compare it to the thousands of fan-fic writers and film makers hoping to get picked up by a big name agent/publisher/studio, etc and be the next 50 Shades of Gray?

    1. Re:Artificial scarcity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Would this sort of thing be ADA complaint? Having to play a game to get a chance at buying it.

    2. Re:Artificial scarcity by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I am too lazy to check but isn't ADA the American Disabilities Act? This phone is not being sold in America. You can unruffle your panties now.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."