Ubuntu turns to crowdfunding

[SteveRiley]

So, is Libre Office considered to be a 'general application'? Given its size and complexity, I would think not.

Size isn't an indicator of whether source code will cross compile. Consider, for example, the Xen hypervisor: a measly 1.6 MB, yet most definitely coded specifically for each type of CPU architecture. Libre Office is a great big pile of C++ code, but not dependent on any particular kind of hardware, and likely will compile fine. In fact, Debian is doing it: packages are available for ARM-EL and ARM-HF.

[Frank616]

Steve:

general applications usually compile without modification.

So, is Libre Office considered to be a 'general application'?

Given its size and complexity, I would think not.

This is the thing that I find yet wanting in Android, and why I only have an Android phone -- no tablet or convertible device. The apps that are available are mostly simple. Fine for note taking and email, but no real meat. I'm not interested in an "all in one" device until it can actually DO everything I want, and that means handling the meatier apps.

Frank.

[SteveRiley]

Yeah, I'm thinking very heavily about jumping in myself. However, with 8 days to go, they are woefully short of target. I'm having serious doubts that they can pull this off.

It was an interesting strategy, and I found myself being both supportive (less) and critical (more). One way to interpret the outcome is that with only about 6,500 (by counting the numbers in the categories, not including "forgot shipping) or 21,000 (as indicated on the Funders tab) "investers," sufficient appetite does not exist for yet another entrant in the mobile device space. This feels like an important lesson to learn here. BTW, why are the two numbers so different? Hm.

As to corporate sponsors, I saw a report that at least one company has taken one of those $80K packages, but I have forgotten who. (Bloomberg, I think)

Yep, Bloomberg.

Will this device run 'standard' Linux apps? This phone is going to have a non-Intel processor, right? Who is porting Libre Office, for instance, to this device? It is my understanding that you can't just run the same source code through a different compiler. If this phone will run 'off the shelf' Linux productivity apps, then I may buy in. If it all has to be virtualized, then I don't think things are where I want them to be just yet.

The specific CPU hasn't been determined yet, but it will be an ARM SoC (system on chip) -- Canonical has put quite a lot of work into their ARM build infrastructure to support the tablet and touch projects. Most software in the repositories has been compiled to run on ARM processors. Code that's specific to x86 processors -- like device drivers and the kernel plus modules -- will need to be rewritten; general applications usually compile without modification.

[Frank616]

Oshunluvr:

Those people holding a Note to their ears look dumber than the iPad dorks trying to film the Grand Prix by holding their latest AppHell cult device over their heads.

Well, you'll get used to it. That is where the trend is headed. A lot of big phones are being sold and used because they fill a very definite need. I expect the rumored Note 3 to be a huge success, just as the Note 2 outsold the very successful and groundbreaking Note 1.

Snowhog and I need about 8,000 of you to go to Awesomest Phone Ever dot Com and commit to a phone.

Yeah, I'm thinking very heavily about jumping in myself. However, with 8 days to go, they are woefully short of target. I'm having serious doubts that they can pull this off.

As to corporate sponsors, I saw a report that at least one company has taken one of those $80K packages, but I have forgotten who. (Bloomberg, I think)

I've still got a few days to think this over. However, I still need an answer to what is probably a very basic question: Will this device run 'standard' Linux apps?

This phone is going to have a non-Intel processor, right? Who is porting Libre Office, for instance, to this device? It is my understanding that you can't just run the same source code through a different compiler. Sorry if this is a dumb question. Maybe it is incredibly obvious, and THAT is why I cannot find anything specific on this on the web.

If this phone will run 'off the shelf' Linux productivity apps, then I may buy in. If it all has to be virtualized, then I don't think things are where I want them to be just yet.

Frank.

[kubicle]

Snowhog and I need about 8,000 of you

The projections seem to indicate that they'll be hard pressed to make 50% of the goal...so what you probably need is Shuttleworth getting 20.000 more phones for himself

[woodsmoke]

In a related note:

The new smartphone and tablet from Ubuntu are going to get a new app installer: (with a possile pic of the smartphone ( or it may be a generic pic)

http://www.zdnet.com/ubuntu-working-...er-7000015174/

woodsmoke

[oshunluvr]

http://www.infoworld.com/t/smartphon...erprise-223552

[oshunluvr]

Oh - Hey guys and gals?

Snowhog and I need about 8,000 of you to go to Awesomest Phone Ever dot Com and commit to a phone.

Thanks in advance from both of us!

[SteveRiley]

Those people holding a Note to their ears look dumber than the iPad dorks trying to film the Grand Prix by holding their latest AppHell cult device over their heads.

I marched in a drum-n-bugle line during last year's Seafair Torchlight Parade. A very common sight in the ranks of spectators was someone sitting at the front, right along the edge of the street, with their tablet on the ground filming the parade. They were quite close to the parade members. I think I might have even accidentally kicked one, I dunno, maybe I just fantasized about it. When you're carrying the band with the screecher part from the Flinstones on your soprano cornet, idiots are the least of your worries.

[SteveRiley]

I think we already have.

Zing!

[kubicle]

iPad dorks trying to film the Grand Prix by holding their latest AppHell cult device over their heads.

Is that what they're doing...I thought it's one of the cult rituals to raise their devices to the skies and chant at noon.

[Snowhog]

Perhaps you two will make me envious of your business acumen. Care to gamble on it?

I think we already have.

[kubicle]

I will do a review as I'm sure Snowhog will as well.

Snowhog went for one as well? Damn, this thread moves way too fast for me

Naturally I'll be expecting his review, too. Perhaps you two will make me envious of your business acumen. Care to gamble on it?

[oshunluvr]

I'm waiting for someone to counter the "a rock is a rock" statement I made. It's all I could come up with at that moment.

[oshunluvr]

Ah, right. I hadn't actually considered the possibility that it wouldn't work. But it appears even the wizards at XDA gave up on the Nexus 7 3G: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=2025377

But the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 is advertised as calling-capable: http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Sa...Preview_id3334

Or you could just buy a Note - which basically is a phone masquerading as a tablet.

Those people holding a Note to their ears look dumber than the iPad dorks trying to film the Grand Prix by holding their latest AppHell cult device over their heads.