By: iPadfanzz staff on February 7, 2013
One of Linux's biggest players is heading to mobile. The trademark of the new Ubuntu operating system is that it has a gesture heavy interface.
Ubuntu's user interface has unique features that set it apart from the competition. Unlike other major operating systems, there's no "home" button to speak of in Ubuntu — it's all based on gestures.
A big role in the OS is played by thumb gestures from the edge of the screen. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, says the OS lets users switch apps and search for content by swiping in from the four different edges of the screen. A short swipe from the left side of the screen brings up a dock of your favorite apps, while a full left-to-right swipe will pull up all of your open apps. It is totally new and different way to access your apps. The home screen too is also different from what you’ve experienced in Windows Phone, Android, or iOS. Ubuntu is focused more around recently used content — like music you’ve played and added, contacts you've spoken to recently, and apps you've used.
Ubuntu will also have its own voice commands built-in — Canonical says that voice and text commands will work in any application.
However, it will be interesting to see before an Ubuntu phone sees traction from a manufacturer or an operator. The first device will hit the market later this year. Interestingly, Android apps can’t even run on the Ubuntu Phone OS.
