Ubuntu Phone Will Run All Popular Linux Apps

For developers, the good news is that every Linux programmer can transform into a smartphone programmer as well while working on Ubuntu Phone OS. 


Wednesday, January 16, 2013:  The only guru mantra for the success of an operating system, especially for smartphones is a flourishing app store. Google attracted people to Android operating system through its Play Store and is still relying heavily on it. We understand user interface and ease of use do play crucial role in making a smartphone OS viral but without a good app base, it's difficult to survive. Who else apart from Research In Motion (RIM) would know it better. In order to promote its upcoming BlackBerry 10 platform among the developers, RIM announced rewards to developers who port their apps on BlackBerry 10. 

And now, it seems Canonical has started on the right note. Previously, we were left wondering on how Canonical would convince developers to make apps on its Ubuntu Phone OS, when there is more money in Android or iOS. But Canonical has things under control. At CES 2013, Jono Bacon, Ubuntu's community manager, revealed that Canonical had clear plans about Ubuntu Phone OS from the start and they were prepared to face such questions.

Bacon revealed in an interaction with Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols of ZDNet that all existing Ubuntu applications like LibreOffice, Gimp, Rhythmbox, etc. will run on all Ubuntu phones. Wondering how? Well, customising these applications for a touch based smartphone is only tweaking software developer needs to do. Apart from that, there is no shortage of quality apps in Linux. So, what this means is that Canonical doesn't have to focus much on Ubuntu Phone specific apps. All they need to do is tweak the existing Linux app base to run on Ubuntu Phone. Smart, huh?

To sync display properties along with other features of existing desktop Linux apps with Ubuntu Phone's user interface, Canonical will supply “programmers with QML (Qt Meta Language) widgets for quick interface development.” Also, the company would release a software development kit (SDK) in March.

Not to forget, you can also use your Ubuntu phone to power your desktop's display. So, if you do this, it's home sweet home! For developers, the good news is that every Linux programmer can transform into a smartphone programmer as well while working on Ubuntu Phone OS. So, when the first batch of Ubuntu phone ships in 2014, scores of Linux application would already be present.  

Source: efytimes.com