ARTICLE

Announcing the Ubuntu Edge

by | Mon 22 Jul 2013

Last week many of you will have seen the teasers that were shared on [www.ubuntu.com](https://www.ubuntu.com). As you can imagine, our community, the press, and others picked up on this with rampant curiosity of what was to come. I am delighted to see the news is now out there, and boy, is this exciting.

In a nutshell, today we are kicking off [an Indigogo crowdfunding campaign](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge) to fund a fully converged device called *Ubuntu Edge*.


*Can’t see the video? See it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eQLe3iIMN7k#at=127)!*

The Ubuntu Edge will dual boot Ubuntu and Android, and will transform into a PC when docked with a monitor, with the full Ubuntu desktop and shared access to all the phone’s files. For this it needs the power of a PC, so Ubuntu Edge will be equipped with the latest, fastest processor, at least 4GB of RAM and a massive 128GB of storage.

Every week on my weekly Q&A many of you ask when you can buy a fully converged Ubuntu device in which you can use it as a phone and boot a desktop, and here it is. Now is the opportunity to not only buy one, but to contribute to showing your support for an Ubuntu converged device by contributing to the campaign.

The Ubuntu Edge is not only *functionally* powerful though. This beautifully crafted device replaces the traditional glass screen with a pure Sapphire crystal, so tough it could only be scratched by diamond. It will also pioneer the use of long-life silicon anode battery technology. A special dual-LTE solution will allow high-speed roaming with access to 4G-LTE broadband in both Europe and the US.

I know many of you who are reading this will be interested in the technical specs, which are:

* Dual-boot Ubuntu Edge into either Ubuntu or Android
* Becomes a fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
* Fast and powerful device with multi-core CPU and at least 4GB RAM
* 128GB of storage for photos, music, content
* 4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD display with pure sapphire crystal screen, the hardest natural substance after diamond
* Cameras made for low-light, fast response and close up pictures: 8mp rear camera, 2mp front
* Faster connection all over the world with dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
* Connect to HDMI TVs and monitors easily with MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
* GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
* Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
* Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
* 64 x 9 x 124mm.

(specifications are subject to change)

All in all this is a beautiful powerhouse for running a fully converged Ubuntu experience – not just a phone, but a phone and your desktop all in one package that looks and feels *uniquely Ubuntu*.

## The Campaign

For the next 30 days our goal is to reach $32 million, an unprecedented amount raised in a crowd-sourcing campaign. Fortunately we have an incredible global community, and we are asking each of you to contribute what you can to the campaign.

The idea is simple: by committing $600 (£394) on day one, or $810 (£532) thereafter, you will receive one of these ground-breaking mobile devices in May 2014. This is the lowest price we can deliver this high-powered hardware specification, range of features, and high-quality build quality. We want to ensure Ubuntu supporters get the *very best quality* device.

If you can’t quite afford to buy an Ubuntu Edge, you can contribute smaller amounts too, and we also have some additional perks too for those of you who want to contribute more widely to the campaign.

## The Day One Deal

I just want to stress that for the very first day (which hopefully you are reading this on), you can pick up the Ubuntu Edge for a special lower price of **$600**. From Day 2 onwards the price will go up to $810.

This $600 offer runs out on **Tuesday 23rd July at 16:00 BST**, so be sure to get your order in!

So, [head to the Indigogo page](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge) and grab an Ubuntu Edge, not only reserving a beautiful, powerful convergent Ubuntu device, but also demonstrating your support for Ubuntu converged devices.

Before I wrap up, we want to be very clear about something: his campaign does *not* mean Canonical has stopped working with OEMs and carriers to bring Ubuntu to other phones and devices; those discussions are productive and on-going.

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