The new effort will put Ubuntu into direct competition with Android, Firefox OS, Blackberry, iOS and other smartphone operating system vendors. Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu Linux, recognizes that with Ubuntu for Phones his company is entering perhaps its most audacious technology battle ever.
“This is a hotly contested segment and we’re very mindful of the caliber, scale and capacity of some of the incumbents in the phone market,” Shuttleworth said in a press briefing. “But we think our vision is somewhat unique and we think we have some real advantages in reaching developers who are a key audience and a source of allies for us.”