Skip to main content

Version 1.0 of Ubuntu Touch for mobile will be ready for download on October 17

Ubuntu Edge Homsescreen
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The first public version of Ubuntu Touch, the mobile operating system from Canonical, will be ready to download on October 17 according to the company’s Quality Assurance Community Coordinator, Nicholas Skaggs. The news comes from a blog post written by Skaggs saying, “We are exactly one month away from the release of Saucy Salamander.” The article was published on September 17, and Saucy Salamander is the codename for Ubuntu’s next version of its desktop software. Skaggs continues to say, “As part of that release, Ubuntu is committed to delivering an image of Ubuntu Touch, ready to install on supported devices.”

Version 1.0 of Ubuntu Touch will be compatible with Google’s most recent Nexus phones, which means if you own a Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, or Nexus 10, you’ll be able to install the software if you like the idea of giving it a try. In the meantime, the race is on to rid the OS of any last bugs before the software is released.

While Ubuntu Touch may be out next month, at this stage it doesn’t look like it’ll be accompanied by a dedicated phone, like rivals Jolla’s Sailfish OS and Mozilla’s Firefox OS. Canonical had a go at financing a super phone running Ubuntu Touch, called the Edge, through Kickstarter and although it was a valiant effort, it ultimately failed to reach its goal. Even if it had, the Edge wouldn’t have been out until next year anyway.

Instead, anyone who wants an Ubuntu Touch phone will have to be patient, potentially until early 2014, which is the latest Canonical hopes to have a phone on sale. Otherwise, if you own a Nexus phone or tablet, and don’t mind messing around with the software, look out for Ubuntu Touch on October 17.

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Don’t buy this new Motorola phone — get this other one instead
Renders of the Moto G 5G (2024) and Moto G Power 5G (2024).

the Moto G 5G (left) and Moto G Power 5G Digital Trends

Budget phones can slip under the radar when shiny, powerful flagships launch. But if you're in the market for a smartphone that gets the job done and won't blow a four-figure hole in your bank balance, then a great budget smartphone is the way to go.

Read more
Get 32% off the cellular model of the iPad Pro 12.9 this weekend
The iPad Pro on a desk next to a stylus and AirPods.

If you've been thinking about getting the iPad Pro with cellular connectivity but you've been hoping to buy the tablet from iPad deals for a discount, this may be what you've been waiting for -- a 32% discount from Amazon's Woot on the 12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular model of the 2021 Apple iPad Pro with 128GB of storage. From $1,199, it's down to just $810, which is a steal price for this device with savings of $389. However, while there are still several days left on this offer, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase immediately because there's a chance that stocks don't last that long.

Why you should buy the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9
It's not the latest version of Apple's top-of-the-line tablet -- the honor goes to the 2022 Apple iPad Pro -- but the 2021 Apple iPad Pro is still a pretty powerful device by today's standards. That's because it's equipped with Apple's M1 chip, which promises fantastic speed and excellent graphics when you're working on your multimedia projects, multitasking between several apps, or playing console-level games. With its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen, you'll enjoy high-brightness and high-contrast content, and its mini-LED display provides deeper black levels and more vibrant colors.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy A55 vs. A54: all the big changes, explained
Renders of the Samsung Galaxy A55 next to the Galaxy A54.

Galaxy A55 (left) and Galaxy A54 Digital Trends

Samsung has been on a roll with new phone releases in 2024. At the end of January, Samsung released the flagship Galaxy S24 lineup. It's fantastic, but not everyone can afford the latest and greatest flagship. Thankfully, Samsung also makes budget-friendly alternatives, and that’s the appeal of the new Galaxy A55.

Read more