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Canonical Reveals the BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Tablet (omgubuntu.co.uk)

Posted by timothy on from the it-more-than-begins dept.

LichtSpektren writes: Several tech sites have now broke the news that Canonical has revealed their BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Tablet. Joey-Elijah Sneddon builds the hype: "A stunning 10.1-inch IPS touch display powered a full HD 1920×1200 pixel resolution at 240 ppi. Inside is a 64-bit MediaTek MT8163A 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal memory. A micro SD memory card is included, adding storage expansion of up to 64GB. Furthermore, the converged slate includes an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and dual LED flash (and capable of recording in full 1080p), plus a front facing 3-megapixel camera for video chats, vlogs and selfies. Front facing Dolby Atmos speakers will provide a superior sound experience during movie playback. The M10 measure 246mm x 171mm x 8.2mm, weighs just 470 grams — lighter than the Apple iPad Air — and has a 7280 mAh battery to give up to 10 hours of use. ... Tablet mode offers a side stage for running two apps side-by-side, plus a full range of legacy desktop applications, mobile apps and scopes. LibreOffice, Mozilla Firefox, The GIMP and Gedit are among a 'curated collection of legacy apps' to ship pre-installed on the tablet. It will also be possible for developers and enthusiasts to install virtually any ARM compatible app available on Ubuntu using the familiar 'apt-get' command." A photo gallery can also be seen on his website here. The price is not yet announced, but the Android version of the same tablet is currently on sale for €229.

118 comments

  1. Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Shut up and take my money!!1

    1. Re:Excellent! by MrKrillls · · Score: 1

      Well said.

      --
      Don't step on the baby.
    2. Re:Excellent! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Those specs are so 2 years ago. I was reading and was more like "meh" than anything else.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    3. Re:Excellent! by sunderland56 · · Score: 1

      Shut up and take my money!!1

      Sorry, I'm not ready to forgive Shuttleworth for that whole Unity fiasco just yet.

      Besides, I hardly think he needs my money, he has quite enough of his own.

    4. Re:Excellent! by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 1

      He's like a cat with a laser pointer, else this would have been in market two years ago. Speed of execution is not a strength on that platform, it seems.

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    5. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      I agree in a way. 16GB of internal storage is pretty lame, unless the 64GB micro SD is seen as "native" storage.

      But to keep things in perspective: Android is Java, and adds a huge amount of cruft and overhead to the underlying Linux OS. I've been wondering for a long time why we weren't seeing plain native Linux tablets, without all that Google junk.

      As long as I have LibreOffice, Firefox, and a few other apps for it I'm good to go. I could wish for a more plain-Linux experience than Ubuntu, but if it has all the requisite drivers, then Ubuntu it is.

    6. Re:Excellent! by i_ate_god · · Score: 1

      The beauty about Ubuntu, is that it doesn't matter what Shuttleworth wants to do, you can do something different.

      I won't hate Shuttleworth unless he takes choices away from me.

      --
      I'm god, but it's a bit of a drag really...
    7. Re:Excellent! by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Storage is always going to be an issue. Without integrated Cloud/Web Storage (like Google Drive, Box, Dropbox ...) even the SD card option is lame. As for Libre/Open Office, those are nice, but having live documents I can edit from just about anywhere is a huge benefit for me, and "Office" suites no longer suffice in today's world (IMHO)

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    8. Re: Excellent! by BellyJelly · · Score: 1

      [quote=Archangel Michael]Those specs are so 2 years ago[/quote] What tablet would have bought with a 64 bit ARM processor 2 years ago. Mind you, it doesn't say if it is running 64 bit ubuntu....

    9. Re: Excellent! by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 2

      What tablet would have bought with a 64 bit ARM processor 2 years ago.

      iPad Air back in November of 2013.

    10. Re: Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Try October 2014

    11. Re: Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That was the Air 2's release year. The original Air was also 64-bit in 2013.

    12. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      BQ?! Never.... run away from that trap. I regret ever buying a BQ product, they didn't honor the warranty terms, they down played my insurance (BQ extended insurance) saying that there was nothing wrong with the device so they wouldn't replace it, and when the insurance expired there was a problem with the device afterall... but hey, insurance expired, and normal warranty doesn't cover it, sorry and f you.

      BQ isn't trustworthy!

    13. Re: Excellent! by Lunix+Nutcase · · Score: 1

      Why would I "try" that date? That's the release date of the Air 2, idiot.

    14. Re: Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My Nook HD is more than 2 years old, it has 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB internal storage of which 28 GB is available to the user.

      It works with a micro-SD card, but my SD-card is 128 GB and I am looking at replacing it with a 256 GB one.

      Why this new tablet does not have at-least 4 GB of RAM or better yet 8-16 GB available?

      And why not more than one SD-card slot?

    15. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Yes, indeed. A survey of exchanges on Slashdot has determined that it's all your dishonest hot air.

    16. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Storage is always going to be an issue.

      I'm not convinced that's true. Today you can get a 128GB Micro SDHC, which is pretty darned good for storage for a mobile device. Even if it only takes 32GB (most modern devices accept at least that much), it's not a problem to carry around a few Micro SDs.

    17. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Still denying basic science, I see?

    18. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Still denying basic science, I see?

      Quite the contrary. But I notice you still have no sense of humor.

    19. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you deny saying this?

      https://archive.is/4eq06

      https://archive.is/ty2l6

    20. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      So you deny saying this?

      I'm not denying anything. Why should I? For that matter, why should I even reply to you, after you've harassed me off-topic in a thread which had absolutely nothing to do with either you, or this subject?

      Learn to behave like a civilized human being, and maybe people would be more inclined to have a civil discussion with you.

      But I've told you that before, many times, to no avail.

    21. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you were lying when you said "quite the contrary" after I asked if you were still denying basic science.

    22. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If I cussed at people as much as you do, would that qualify as behaving like a civilized human being in Janeland?

    23. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      If you stopped the harassment and trolling behavior, which prompt the cussing, THAT might qualify as civilized.

    24. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      I will repeat something I have stated before (and linked to sources): trolling of the sort you do is generally regarded by psychologists to be a form of sociopathic behavior.

      I will not apologize for cussing at sociopathic behavior.

    25. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Fascinating. Jane/Lonny's neverending libelous harassment of many scientists is apparently "civilized" in Janeland. But asking Jane simple questions and debunking Lonny Eachus's baseless accusations is apparently not "civilized" in Janeland.

      Even more fascinating, in Janeland Lonny Eachus isn't responsible for all his cussing. That's totally out of his control, and is prompted by other people. Is Lonny responsible for anything Lonny does, or is that all someone else's fault?

    26. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How fascinating that Lonny Eachus projects his own sociopathy onto others. Lonny, you cuss at many people at the drop of a hat. The only common element in all those exchanges is a sociopath named Jane/Lonny Eachus.

    27. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Fascinating. Jane/Lonny's neverending libelous harassment of many scientists is apparently "civilized" in Janeland. But asking Jane simple questions and debunking Lonny Eachus's baseless accusations is apparently not "civilized" in Janeland.

      What you SEEM to fail to understand is that there is a difference between criticizing someone, and libel. Libel is a deliberate untruth. I have demonstrated many times that you intentionally post public lies about people. I don't. As much as reasonably possible I tell fact- and evidence-based truth.

      Am I wrong sometimes? It happens. But not intentionally, and when I've found that it has, I correct myself. You don't.

      The reason I wrote "seem" is that you really do understand it. You just use pretend ignorance as an excuse to continue your libel.

      Even more fascinating, in Janeland Lonny Eachus isn't responsible for all his cussing. That's totally out of his control, and is prompted by other people. Is Lonny responsible for anything Lonny does, or is that all someone else's fault?

      Yet again, a claim that has no basis in reality. I wrote nothing of the sort. I take responsibility for my cussing. But that doesn't change the fact that it's prompted by reprehensible behavior on the part of others.

    28. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      How fascinating that Lonny Eachus projects his own sociopathy onto others. Lonny, you cuss at many people at the drop of a hat. The only common element in all those exchanges is a sociopath named Jane/Lonny Eachus.

      Nice try, but no. There is no "drop of a hat". It takes trolling and harassment before I swear at people. You have been one of the worst offenders, as this latest lie of yours demonstrates.

    29. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      How fascinating that Lonny Eachus projects his own sociopathy onto others. Lonny, you cuss at many people at the drop of a hat. The only common element in all those exchanges is a sociopath named Jane/Lonny Eachus.

      What I find fascinating is that your link is to an entire collection of tweets which are, just like nearly all of your other links, taken completely out of context.

      It doesn't show the prior trolling or harassment over time, or in a few cases yes, just plain "dumbass" things people say. Again, you are personally one of the worst offenders.

      And simultaneously too cowardly to show us who you are. Even though I already know.

    30. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      At the drop of a hat, Lonny.

    31. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So this cussing was totally justified in Janeland?

    32. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What you SEEM to fail to understand is that there is a difference between criticizing someone, and libel. Libel is a deliberate untruth. I have demonstrated many times that you intentionally post public lies about people.

      Do you really believe that? If so, you're even further gone than I thought. Here's a hint, Lonny. Try to provide a link to back up your accusation. As usual, you'll find that you can't even provide a single example. If you think about it long enough (with a therapist), you'll eventually realize that you're just projecting your own behavior onto others. You're intentionally posting public lies about people. Every time I show you evidence of your lies, you run away like a snivelling coward.

      As much as reasonably possible I tell fact- and evidence-based truth. Am I wrong sometimes? It happens. But not intentionally, and when I've found that it has, I correct myself. You don't.

      Again, do you really believe that? Lonny, you recently insisted that you don't need to correct yourself even though you gave your word that you would. And here you brag about doing something that you actually refuse to do in reality? You have a remarkable ability to rationalize your behavior.

      Yet again, a claim that has no basis in reality. I wrote nothing of the sort. I take responsibility for my cussing. But that doesn't change the fact that it's prompted by reprehensible behavior on the part of others.

      You're making a distinction with no difference. Either you're responsible for your own cussing and can recognize that it's uncivilized and that you have the power to stop, or you blame others for your own uncivilized behavior and refuse to stop. You seem to keep choosing the second option. Why?

    33. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Try to provide a link to back up your accusation.

      I've done it many times. Not much point in doing it yet again. I have records of them if needed.

      Again, do you really believe that? Lonny, you recently insisted that you don't need to correct yourself even though you gave your word that you would.

      I told you very clearly I would *IF* you stopped behaving like an arrogant, lying asshole, as is your usual bent. That hasn't happened yet, and it's beginning to look like it never will. So you'll just have to wait.

      I will remind you, just in the way of illustration, that this whole conversational thread began with YOU trolling ME in a discussion which had nothing to do with you or any of this. You made no attempt at all to be on-topic, and just gratuitously trolled clearly off-topic.

      That is a form of harassment I asked you to stop years ago.

      If you can't bring yourself to stop attempting to harass and bully, you don't deserve my consideration. It's that simple.

    34. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      At the drop of a hat, Lonny.

      Nope. "It's what you want to hear" is a gross insult. The clear insinuation is that Lonny did not use logic or evidence, but made the comment out of emotion or stupidity.

      "Dumbass" was simply a reply in like kind. It is a little more direct, but it was no more of an insult than his.

      Once again: it takes either provocation (which was given in this case), or a statement of such sheer stupidity that it's clearly called for. Generally, that's something pretty darned stupid.

    35. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      So this cussing was totally justified in Janeland?

      Yes. See the explanation in my reply to your other comment about the same thing.

    36. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      I am not going to reply to you in this thread anymore. It's just tedious replies to your made-up BS. I have better things to do.

    37. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do you see how "a little more direct" is a Jane-ism for "escalation"?

    38. Re:Excellent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I've done it many times. Not much point in doing it yet again. I have records of them if needed.

      No, you haven't. You keep claiming you have, but that's just a delusional fantasy. Seriously, try to provide a single link as an example. As usual, you'll find that you can't even provide a single example. If you think about it long enough (with a therapist), you'll eventually realize that you're just projecting your own behavior onto others. You're intentionally posting public lies about people. Every time I show you evidence of your lies, you run away like a snivelling coward.

      Again, do you really believe that? Lonny, you recently insisted that you don't need to correct yourself even though you gave your word that you would.

      I told you very clearly I would *IF* you stopped behaving like an arrogant, lying asshole, as is your usual bent. That hasn't happened yet, and it's beginning to look like it never will. So you'll just have to wait.

      Don't you see what you're doing here, Lonny? You brag about correcting yourself, and also insist that you don't have to correct yourself, and blame your bad behavior on someone who isn't cussing at you or calling you a despicable dumbshit. And again, this isn't about me waiting. If you brag about correcting yourself, you should want to provide a single example of you doing that, just to feel good about yourself. Unless you're a pathological liar?

      That is a form of harassment I asked you to stop years ago. If you can't bring yourself to stop attempting to harass and bully, you don't deserve my consideration. It's that simple.

      I'm not asking for your consideration, Lonny. I'm pointing out that you're bragging about correcting yourself at the same time that you insist that you don't need to correct yourself even though you gave your word you would. You should care about keeping your word, and that has nothing to do with owing anybody consideration. It's that simple.

      I've also asked you to stop your harassment of scientists years ago. If you can't bring yourself to stop attempting to harass and bully and libel scientists, I'll keep debunking your libel without cussing at you or calling you a godd*mned stupid dumbsh*t despicable fraudulent dishonest f*cking moron idiot *sshole malicious lying sonofabitch. But presumably in Janeland that means I'm being uncivilized because Jane/Lonny's malicious libel can't even be politely criticized, while Jane's neverending torrent of foul-mouthed insults is totally justified because Jane claims he's dealing with an "arrogant, lying asshole". Isn't that right, Jane?

    39. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      No, you haven't. You keep claiming you have, but that's just a delusional fantasy. Seriously, try to provide a single link as an example.

      I really don't give a damn if you don't remember. I do. And I have records to back it up. That's all I care about.

      Other than that, and a short reply to your other comment, as I said before I have nothing further to say. Your false claims that I have "never" done this or that are just bait to try to get me to continue responding to your tedious trolling.

    40. Re:Excellent! by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 1

      Do you see how "a little more direct" is a Jane-ism for "escalation"?

      There was no escalation. It was a reply in kind. The fact that the original insult was in politer words doesn't make it any less an insult. Any more than a person who says polite words when they shoot you isn't shooting you. The very notion is ridiculous. But then, that's what I've come to expect from you.

  2. Please really make them available in the US by MrKrillls · · Score: 1

    And the phones too.

    --
    Don't step on the baby.
    1. Re:Please really make them available in the US by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Why? just get a google Nexus 4 and install the ubuntu phone image. that wy you can find what the rest of us have.... it sucks and then you re-flash back to android.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:Please really make them available in the US by Trax3001BBS · · Score: 2

      Why? just get a google Nexus 4 and install the ubuntu phone image. that wy you can find what the rest of us have.... it sucks and then you re-flash back to android.

      LOL, between you and "Try it for free". by truck_soccer, I'll step lightly here thnx.

    3. Re:Please really make them available in the US by chmod+a+x+mojo · · Score: 3, Informative

      This.

      I tried out Ubuntu touch on my Nexus10. It was OK, and probably would have been decent if this was what tablets came out as, but it was just too different from any kind of UI that has been done up to now that it was overly jarring to user perception. No "home screen" with icons / app drawers, everything looks like it is in a file manager that has no options, and recommending being set up to use a pin for screen locking - and then never popping up the pin pad on the lock screen, forcing you to use the keyboard numbers to put in your pin where what the deal killer was for me.

      That and the "app store" was a horribly under-populated joke, and even if you installed "scopes" it was never really explained how / what to do to use them. it lasted about a day before I went back to stock rooted android.

      --
      To err is human; effective mayhem requires the root password!
    4. Re:Please really make them available in the US by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      I tried to use it as a phone for 1 week. Even the version back in November you would still get the phone ringing but no way to answer it as the phone application refused to launch.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. Reminds me of the Nvidia K1 tablet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If the price can be in the same $200 range they might do well given the full OS nature instead of Android ecosystem.

  4. But does it run Linux? by future+assassin · · Score: 2

    Ducks....

    I don't care much about tablets but what's with always the small storage capacity and low ram? For power consumption?

    --
    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
    1. Re:But does it run Linux? by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · · Score: 1

      So you'll store everything in the Ubuntu Cloud. Oh right they killed that...

      --
      "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
    2. Re:But does it run Linux? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And horribly low screen res? 2560x1600 is pretty standard these days.

      Still, cool that it can apt-get stuff without being too much of a walled garden. Might be able to forgive it the lame hardware, in exchange for not being too locked down.

    3. Re:But does it run Linux? by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I don't know if I'd call having a limited amount of pre-compiled software a 'walled garden' per se. I mean, you can grab the source (for most anything you'd be wanting on a tablet - at least that I can think of) and compile it yourself. Hell, you can even upload and share your compiled work with others or, if you want, you can compile things and get them included in the repository so that others can install them with apt. (That might require a bit of work and playing well with others - I'm actually, somehow, mistakenly on the "official" Lubuntu team so I've got part of the way there.)

      That said, hmm... Tempting? Except, I've already bought a stack of tablets and just not enjoyed them. I've heard bad things about this company (not Canonical but BQ) in the past. I've heard the interface isn't really that nice. I guess, really, I'd rather just send them a few dollars and let them keep their hardware. It's not a bad price, really. It's not a good price but it's not terrible. I think it'd be nicer to just have the opportunity to get *buntu installed on more devices in an easier way. You can do it, if you want, but there are a few traps along the way and at least one seems to brick some hardware if something goes amiss.

      I imagine, and this is just a guess, that people will start cross-compiling on beefier hardware and then getting it added to the official repository or will just make a repo that you can add manually. It'll be interesting to see where it goes but it doesn't really tickle my "must buy button." That's a bit unfortunate as that's a pretty big, and pretty silly, button for me. Unfortunately, the "tablet" aspect is a turn-off for me. I've not had much enjoyment from tablets but they're not bad for when you're pooping.

      So, no... I won't be buying one yet, even though it's a very KGIII-thing to do. I'll be watching with keen interest to see where it goes. I've considered a cell phone but, again, I've not really read a lot good about them. I guess, sadly, I'm not cut out to be a tablet fan. Oh, I've tried to like them. I just can't like them. I've tried a whole bunch and I've not really found them a good fit for who I am and what I do. I'd not begrudge others and I'm glad this is an option for them and I wish it well. Maybe they'll develop something that makes me more interested?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    4. Re:But does it run Linux? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, for me the big thing is having source for all the drivers and then being able to install my own choice of distro.

  5. SSD by blackomegax · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When I can get 128gb of flash for 40 bucks, 16GB onboard is an unforgivable sin and goes against their entire mission to make a true crossover device ala the Surface

    1. Re:SSD by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      It's okay for the price I suppose... Basically average mid range specs, memory is a bit low but it's a cheap device for the size. A Surface competitor this ain't, it's in another league spec wise.

      I think it's main problem will be competing with the many other similar tablets in this spec/price range, many of which can run Windows or Linux. Business will want Windows, consumers will want Windows or Android because they have never heard of Ubuntu or Linux... It's a reasonable device but a hard sell.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re: SSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm not sure if anyone read the link but the 64GB memory card is included free. Meanwhile the 500GB ones cost a ton. So, yeah, memory is light, but anything to counteract ms bs spyware and google's embedding itself in your ass is welcome. Lose systemd and canonical and it's a winner.

    3. Re:SSD by GinRummy33 · · Score: 1

      Blub says "A micro SD memory card is included," but I'm guessing they meant just a slot for one. Very few things like this come with the expansion card already with it. But hey, I could be wrong.

    4. Re:SSD by CrashNBrn · · Score: 1

      And why the hell is the SSD slot limited to 64GB? Even my $100 MP3 player (FiiO) can take a 256GB card.

    5. Re:SSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      SD and onboard are two different things. The bandwidth of the onboard interface is likely to be 10x faster.

      Also, more often than not, on mobile devices storage lives on the same die as RAM, and that die in turn sits right on top of the SOC using a package-on-package setup.

    6. Re:SSD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Likely its what the slot has been tested with at time of QA.

      Meaning it is the largest size they can say for certain will work.

    7. Re:SSD by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      I think it's main problem will be competing with the many other similar tablets in this spec/price range, many of which can run Windows or Linux.

      Do you have any links? This intrigues me.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
    8. Re:SSD by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      Search Amazon for "Windows tablet".

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    9. Re:SSD by Threni · · Score: 0

      One thing nobody wants is a microsoft tablet. I know they've put loads of effort into building and flogging them but were they to ever take off it would be despite, not because, of windows. Windows is that awful thing you used to have on your pc before you got a tablet, or that you're forced to use at work.

    10. Re:SSD by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      consumers will want Windows or Android because they have never heard of Ubuntu or Linux

      I think this runs a little deeper than consumer education. Consumers will want a modern spec'd device. This is 2 years ago at best. Consumers will want a mature app ecosystem.

      Consumers will require 10 hours of battery life. Android has many restrictions on what apps can and cannot do based on conserving electrons. If you just run a bunch of desktop-developed Linux packages, I can guarantee you, you'll be looking at 4 hours of battery, if you are lucky. Probably less.

    11. Re:SSD by farble1670 · · Score: 2

      that you're forced to use at work

      You need to get out of the basement a little more. The latest Surface devices have pretty much attained universal praise. This tablet isn't even in the same league spec-wise. And yes, like Ubuntu is the OS of choice for PCs these days, right? Okay, to be fair, 2016 could be the Year of the Linux Desktop.

  6. Try it for free. by truck_soccer · · Score: 1

    Please I urge you all to try ubuntu touch if you have a compatible device. It really sucks.

    1. Re:Try it for free. by LichtSpektren · · Score: 1

      I think it's fairly good.

    2. Re:Try it for free. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      the UX inconsistencies for tablets are amazingly annoying. Fortunately, my compatible device (Nexus 7) can easily be flashed with AOSP or Cyanogenmod.

    3. Re:Try it for free. by truck_soccer · · Score: 1

      I support and respect your opinion. I just couldn't get over the widescreen only, rotation locked "home screen" that has a background available in every color as long as it's white. Everything else seemed ok, but the over all experience I was left with was "meh". Perhaps if I had used it long enough to get used to the various quirks I wouldn't have minded it as much, but for now I'll stick with marshmallow on my nexus 7.

  7. Pack your bags Apple, Ubuntu is on the scene now by hattig · · Score: 1

    Okay, I don't thin Apple really has much to worry about except their pricing model.

    This tablet can't be any worse than any version of Android on a tablet, given the quantity of Android Apps with a good tablet UI (not many at all).

    Can it?

  8. Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Pass, I'll spend the same coin on a used surface pro 2 and install a full 64 bit ubuntu and get a dramatically better device.
    Or get one of the china celeron based $199 windows tablets and install ubuntu if I really have to go for a cheap throw away.

    I do not understand what they are after with a high price tablet running the mobile ubuntu.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      You can pair a mouse/keyboard and it becomes full Ubuntu.

    2. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by thebryce · · Score: 1

      I am very excited about the BQ device but I like the suggestion about the Surface Pro 2. However, I have heard that there are issues with wifi on the Surface 2 causing the machine to lock up. I don't see anywhere on the BQ's specs where it says it's running a different version of Ubuntu. Would it not be the same as what's installed on the desktop (apart from the UI, maybe)?

    3. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Limited production runs etc.

      Quite often a ODM will require a minimum unit count just to take the job at all, And will have to retool at least part of the assembly line to take care of installing and testing Ubuntu.

    4. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Anne+Thwacks · · Score: 1

      With Gnome Classic?

      --
      Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
    5. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Coren22 · · Score: 1

      FTFS:

      It will also be possible for developers and enthusiasts to install virtually any ARM compatible app available on Ubuntu using the familiar 'apt-get' command

      It runs ARM, but beyond that it will run anything compiled for it.

      --
      APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
    6. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Teun · · Score: 1

      Surely you are joking? For me nothing less than KDE.

      --
      "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
    7. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I run Ubuntu on a Surface Pro 1. Not sure if the wifi card is the same one, but the driver issues were finally fixed in one of the kernels since the last Ubuntu release (so it should appear in April's Ubuntu), so I'm currently using the official PPA for running the latest mainline kernel.

    8. Re:Ahh not a real ubuntu tablet but the "lite" toy by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Linux on the surface Pro 1 or 2 makes the wifi more stable. It has been a nightmare for running windows on it because the marvell wireless chipset is a piece of crap that will lose its initial configuration the windows driver only loads it on install. the linux driver was modified to reload it on every single boot.

      Blame microsoft for using the low grade dog food that is Marvell chipsets.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  9. Alternaive Headline by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Canonical "Surfaces" Ubuntu Me Too Tablet
    Expected to shutter platform in 2017 due to lack of interest.

    Truth be told, I like the idea, provided it isn't locked down and I can easily put a spyware free Linux distro on it. But, if spyware is a must, I'll stick with teh other options already on the market.

  10. don't turn it on... take it appart! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For some reason, the only thing I want with these kind of thing is to install custom firmware / os.
    anyone know if it's suppose to be lock or has libreboot / coreboot whatever?
    Having this is quickly becoming the holy grail of ARM hardware IMO.

  11. They had me at the 10.1" screen. by Trax3001BBS · · Score: 1

    10.1" is just the perfect size for a tablet for me, Quad core at 1.5GHz I just don't think is going to be game worthy though. Rest is just a darn fine system.

    1. Re:They had me at the 10.1" screen. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's ARM. You'd have to be retarded to buy it.

    2. Re: They had me at the 10.1" screen. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most tablets that aren't running Windows are ARM-based. Maybe do some research before calling people names.

  12. 24 days of suspend... by ilsaloving · · Score: 1

    But does everything still work after you resume? :)

    But more seriously, do they have a software repository that specifically caters to it? Ie: Have they vetted software and indicated which ones will not run like crap on a tablet? Microsoft has demonstrated repeatedly that trying to shoehorn desktop UI onto a tablet just does not work. Ubuntu created Unity, which helps with core OS usage, but what about individual apps?

    A typical desktop app is annoying as hell when you're using fingers instead of a mouse.

    And if an errant weather menu bar widget uses up 5-10% cpu on your desktop even when unused, most people probably wouldn't notice or care. But that would be devastating on a tablet.

    It's one thing to say that you can get 10 hours of battery life doing some trivial task. It's another thing entirely when that figure drops to 3 hours because your mail client insist on doing a full scan of your entire IMAP account every 15 minutes. I ran into this problem a LOT on android. Google does a really lousy job at curating applications on the Play Store.

    1. Re:24 days of suspend... by ilsaloving · · Score: 2

      Oh, I just came across this article that goes into some more usage details than what was included in the summary.

  13. Battery by fnj · · Score: 1

    Is the battery user replaceable? Unless it is, I have ZERO interest. That goes for any tablet or phone.

    1. Re:Battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good news: you'll never buy a new tablet or phone again.

      Wait, LG G4. That's it. Enjoy!

    2. Re:Battery by Threni · · Score: 1

      You're missing out on a lot of really good phones if that's your main criteria. I've had my z3 for 18 months and it's great. I'm sure i'll get another phone in the next couple of years and this'll probably still be working then. Not sure what I could have got instead that has a replaceable battery. Why is it important? Have you had a lot of problems with batteries in the past?

    3. Re:Battery by ssam · · Score: 1

      Fairphone

  14. Firefox OS on this? by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

    That'd be high specs for that little OS.
    But expensive for a toy. Also, it's boring not to have a stylus.
    4" Firefox OS smartphone, I've tried. Lacks a stylus and a bit tiring to hold the thing, as there is no stand. No apps is a feature. Well, the LCD screen sucks too (perhaps high end LCD is fine. Non-LCD would be better). I'm not used to these little stupid mobile things. Perhaps someone one day will have the brilliant idea to put left/right cursor keys on the virtual keyboard so you can go back and correct part of a URL.

    Apart from that, the instant you turn the Firefox OS phone on (without outdated version of the OS) you are instantly treated with respect and data-leaking crap such as network, GPS etc. is opt-in. Thus I'd be curious in an Ubuntu Phone tablet.

    1. Re:Firefox OS on this? by macs4all · · Score: 1

      Perhaps someone one day will have the brilliant idea to put left/right cursor keys on the virtual keyboard so you can go back and correct part of a URL.

      The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have "cursor keys" (for left and right movement in a Text Field) on the "Landscape Mode" Keyboard Layout. The "key caps" look like "" but they are cursor keys.

  15. Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 3, Interesting

    About a year and a half ago I bought one of those funky convertibles. I found the ability to fold it into a quasi tablet was actually pretty useless with Windows (tent mode did have advantages). So as with most computers that come into my possession it ended up running Linux. Not being in a mood to potentially have to fight it's strange hardware, I used Ubuntu. Before I go any further I need to state for the record that I hate Gnome 3 even for than I hate Unity. Which is to say I hate it a lot. No hate for users, just my person taste.

    I was kind of surprised when everything down to the touch screen and changing aspect with orientation worked great. Then it struck me: this thing would be fucking awesome with Gnome 3. Sure as shit it is. Every aspect of Gnome 3 almost seems intentionally designed for a tablet.I have made an effort to show it off to everyone from hackers to people who somehow believe that iOS is the internet and Steve Jobs made it. People are universally impressed. You can even use Google Now, albeit through a browser but even that seems insignificant to the overall experience. So I have been thinking for awhile now that perhaps there is no room for Linux to have a "year on the desktop" and perhaps that's not a bad thing. Perhaps it does not even matter. After all, I know very few people who have desktops and to lesser extent laptops these days.

    I think this has massive potential to................... fall flat on it's face. If this ships with not only having Unity as the default, which of course it will, but does not even have Gnome 3 as an option then the crowd the are targeting - everyone - won't give a shit. Canonical has always aimed their sites toward some sort of common consumer legitimacy, but when it comes down to it, they only ever preach to the choir.

    --
    Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    1. Re:Onboard with this idea by LichtSpektren · · Score: 1

      You can uninstall Unity and replace it with whatever DE you want. But speak for yourself. Unity is not a terribly great desktop DE, but it's fantastic for mobile, and lots of people are excited for it.

    2. Re:Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 1
      Perhaps I should clarify. Within the context of my statement about this device and DEs, I intended to express that if they are aiming at the mass market, which it only makes sense to do and makes no sense not to, the interface is critical. I on board a lot of new Linux users. People who had never used it before. I always present the regular every day type with multiple DE's to choose from. After showing them the ropes I let them hop around between them for a week so they can settle on whatever they are the most comfortable using. I've had one person go with XFCE because the little mouse made them giggle. The rest went with Gnome 3. Interestingly, people seem to find KDE perplexing. So clearly I am not being biased as I routinely and happily set people up with Gnome 3. If someone ever decides the Unity is where it's at? I am fine with that and I never try to sway people.

      As far as replacing Unity goes, that simple task is voodoo magic for a lot of people. These same people overall, coming from Windows, will not even understand the concept of completely switching out the interface for something different on this class of a device. They need to be given choice up front. This is of course a different class of device where multiple DE options are in fact likely a bad idea. Referring back to my experience helping people get started with Linux and my own surprise with Gnome 3, I strongly believe it is the best option if there is any success to be had.

      But speak for yourself.

      I was.

      Unity is not a terribly great desktop DE, but it's fantastic for mobile, and lots of people are excited for it.

      Opinion noted, but could you maybe back it up with something other than itself?

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    3. Re:Onboard with this idea by fsagx · · Score: 1

      What is the brand and model number of this funky convertible?

    4. Re:Onboard with this idea by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      Opinion noted, but could you maybe back it up with something other than itself?

      why should he? he provided just as much evidence / facts as you did that unity sucks. none.

    5. Re:Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 2

      Dell Notebook i7347 13-Inch

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NJNEE3O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

      Note that it uses a hard drive. It appears that disassembling it is straightforward, but I've never done it.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    6. Re:Onboard with this idea by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Except they never made that accusation. They were quite specific in saying that it was their personal preference. They even went as far as to say they hate it but that they've no hate for the users. Hell, he even said it was a matter of personal preference. I've no idea why you'd piss in your knickers over someone saying that they don't like a DE.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    7. Re:Onboard with this idea by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      It's called being a hypocrite? He offers no explanation for his ire but then insists that someone else back up their opposite opinion. Duh much?

    8. Re:Onboard with this idea by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Hmm... I don't know if he's being a hypocrite so much as he appears to be (legitimately) asking for more information? Given their initial post, they indicate a willingness to change their mind. So, I'm still not sure I agree with your assertion.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    9. Re:Onboard with this idea by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      why should someone offer more information to him, when he offers none himself.

      person 1: i really like president obama, but i'm not going to say why.
      person 2: i dislike obama.
      person 1: you dislike obama? you'd better provide a good reason for that!

      yep, sounds like a pretty reasonable discourse.

    10. Re:Onboard with this idea by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I think that's a bit unfair. Person 1 indicated a willingness to actual learn and change their mind. You seemingly opted to ignore that. Tone counts, no?

      Then again, maybe you're right? Maybe I'm misreading it. To me, it looks like a legit request for more information - by someone who's actually willing to take new information and process it and make new choices. That's a rarity.

      Add to that the two of 'em are discussing things that are largely opinion based... So, yeah, it looks like a legit question and not even attempt to argue or debate.

      But, if we're gonna do that then obviously LXDE is superior in all ways simply because I say so! Err... Except I do actually prefer LXDE and will enumerate a few reasons if asked. Still, even when I reread it, I see what appears to be a legit request for more information but that might be because of how I interact with people by default.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    11. Re: Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

      As a matter of fact, I would very much like to know what draws you to LXDE. Don't worry, not going pull out the flame thrower, I really am just curious. I still believe in an open community around Linux where ideas can be shared without getting attacked. Well, that's how it was a long time ago. BTW I am the OP and I got set on fire by a mob that could not have possibly read the whole post. Personally, I have a thing for Openbox and awesome WM.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    12. Re: Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

      Thank you.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    13. Re: Onboard with this idea by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

      You misunderstand, and I'm not sure how. The context of my post was regarding using the best interface for such a device in order to achieve mass appeal. The evidence I cite for Gnome 3 is based on what is probably by now a conversion of over 2 dozen regular everyday non technical "I just want it to work and be easy to use" types. That number is not an exaggeration - I do this a lot. So my evidence is after leaving them for a week with all the major DEs to try, all but one out of all those people chose Gnome 3. One chose XFCE because of the cute little mouse. That right there should tell you how very common and tech illiterate we are talking. This broad sampling is the bulk of my evidence, and it is very strong within the context of what amounts to market research. And you better believe that when I am demonstrating all the DEs I show them Unity backwards and forwards and I never give opinions to sway to this or that. So yes, I hate the DEs in question. So. Fucking. What. It was a little something called commentary and it was making a point that flew right over your head. I stated I don't have a problem with people who think otherwise. I know some prolific nerds who use Unitity. Do I go over and make fun of them? Do I think less of them? Of course not. To each there own. I like tiling window manages. That puts me in a minority using something most people cringe at. So this isn't about desktops, it's about a tablet. I combine my experience setting up end users who settle on Gnome, with my experience of hating it, only to fall in love with it. And yes I tried to see if I would like UnitUnity as a tablet. Nope. Gnome 3 is practically made for tablets. There was no need at for all this flaming. I swear it's like no read my post. It's dumbfounding. Take an impulse control pill and flip a switch to turn on your objective mind. Fuck.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
    14. Re: Onboard with this idea by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I like LXDE for its simplicity and speed. I don't need (or want) "pretty" so much as I want functional. LXDE is functional for me. I'm even able to make it look good (in my view). Here's an image that I took a while back - it's "busy" but it's not normally that busy.

      http://i.imgur.com/8u6dr2r.png

      The dock at the top only appears when I mouse-over the top and off-screen. That's not really a part of LXDE but I made it with the tools offered to manage task bars. Err... I'm not sure that was the goal of those who offered such tools but with the right settings, that's what I made. It works well enough and I think it looks fine.

      LXDE is fast on older hardware and blazingly fast on new hardware. I guess Lubuntu is moving to LXQt so I'll have to see where that goes. Supposedly, it is much the same. I've not yet pulled down the 16.04 beta build to see what changes I can look forward to. I tried them all - well, all the fairly popular ones. There's little bloat with LXDE, it's straight forward, it's stable, it's light, it doesn't have a bunch of features that I'm not interested in, it's fairly basic but still robust enough for customization, and it results in something familiar to me.

      So, I went with LXDE.

      Anyhow, I had to say something. I mean, it looked like you were legitimately asking for information and not actually trying to flame, argue, or fight. Someone's gotta say something. Everyone's got their ego tied to such trivial things and anything seen as a slight will be taken personally. It's like a presumption that everyone wants to fight as opposed to converse, it's silly and it results in people fighting/arguing and doing stupid shit instead of actually communicating and learning. All because someone's ego is so frail and accomplishments so few that they're tied to some silly bit of software and anyone not conforming is not affirming their choice... It has to be an uncomfortable way to live one's life. I can't imagine what their interpersonal relationships look like.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
  16. Why do they keep releasing this junk? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Ubuntu Phone, Firefox OS, Ubuntu Tablet...all are products that at first blush sound like cool open source devices, but then no one wants them.

    Why not exploit the power of Linux and really make something irresistible that will sell like hotcakes. For example, many nerds have been longing a fresh successor to the Nokia Internet Tablets, especially the N900.

    1. Re:Why do they keep releasing this junk? by Anne+Thwacks · · Score: 1

      Surely there is a huge market for Linux running fvwm95?

      --
      Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
  17. Re:Pack your bags Apple, Ubuntu is on the scene no by zlives · · Score: 1

    plus it comes with Aquarius BBQ sauce so... bonus

  18. the math... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    it's either double the price it should be...

    or has half the ram, half the resolution, half the processor speed, and quarter the storage it should have for the price it is.

  19. huh? by Type44Q · · Score: 2

    have now broke the news

    Surely they meant to say "broked."

  20. Marketing triumph! by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 1

    Canonical has revealed their BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Tablet...

    Ah, the name just rolls off of the tongue! "Say, is that the new BQ Aquaris M10 Ubuntu Tablet?"

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    1. Re:Marketing triumph! by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 1

      Maybe it's supposed to be an acronym. "BQAMtUbT"

      I think I'll buy one, and then drive back to "The Mews at Wuthering Heights" to surf the web.

  21. Re:Pack your bags Apple, Ubuntu is on the scene no by farble1670 · · Score: 1

    This tablet can't be any worse than any version of Android on a tablet, given the quantity of Android Apps with a good tablet UI (not many at all).

    Please, explain what sort of app you are looking for, that isn't available on an Android tablet? Oh ... um ...

  22. Was so exited to read about this whole converged by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    concept. Two years ago when Ubuntu started talking about it that is. Though if this is similar priced to the Android v. at €229 then that is still an interesting proposition, low enough to stand comparison as a Surface Pro w Linux at a much lower price. But the salient points are that it's a full Linux desktop, at least works as a tablet if not a great one, and is a real product you can use and get stuff done on certainly if you are handy with Linux at all. That is something that can be built on, whereas until now the whole Linux tablet thing has been vaporware. So yes even at this late date where there are plenty of cool things happening with Android, Windows, iOS - this still has a shot to me.

    Next step: add a detachable KB cover and trackpad a la Surface Pro. I know if I were still a main Ubuntu user like I was two years ago, I would be trying to order one right now. Thought that 'if' right there may tell you quite a bit.

  23. Re:Pack your bags Apple, Ubuntu is on the scene no by preflex · · Score: 1

    A web browser that isn't awful. Anything that can run uMatrix would suffice. The only way to get a decent browser on Android is with a real linux chroot and X11 app (and the X11 app ruins Chromium's built-in touch support). All the native browsers are fucking horrible. FF for Android is arguably the best, and it's still awful, supporting only a tiny subset of FF addons (no NoScript, no uMatrix). Chrome for Android doesn't support extensions at all.

  24. Jolla refund by ssam · · Score: 1

    Something to spend the Jolla refund on