Ubuntu on tablets

Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as   free   and open source software, using it's own desktop environment. It is named after South African philosophy      of ubuntu ("humanity towards others") or another translation would be : "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity". Ah!, the basic technical definition. I first heard of it in May 2012 when my friend  posted a screenshot of the Head Up Display (HUD), a new feature in Ubuntu 12.04 or the Precise Pangolin (all versions have quite cool nicknames! :P). I found the UI very awesome, maybe because it was a change after years of using Windows, but well, it was awesome. 

It has come a long way since then. From being just an OS used in Desktops, Servers etc. to Ubuntu TV, Ubuntu for android, Ubuntu for phones and the recently announced, Ubuntu for tablets.

Ubuntu on tablets has taken multi-tasking to a whole new level. The tablet interface works gracefully on different screen sizes and resolutions. 

• The home screen has that circular gear which shows the user's social activity. 
• A left edge swipe takes the user to the installed apps. Switching from one app to another is a whole lot easier than I experienced on the stock android UI.
• A new feature is the Side Stage which can be accessed with a right edge swipe which can be used to run an app in a smaller part of the screen while multi-tasking on the larger part. I found it to be quite similar to Windows 8 UI in which the same can be done. There is only one difference that we can resize the width of the smaller part.
• Not only the tablet apps but phone apps can be run using the Side Stage.
• Down edge swipe brings in the new features which have been integrated in the apps.
• Top edge swipe lets you access your messages and stuff; and apps to be used in Side Stage.

(Click on the image to get an enlarged view of the Side Stage)

• Ubuntu uniquely supports a new category of convergence device-add a keyboard and a mouse and your ubuntu tablet becomes a full PC, with access to Windows apps over standard protocols from Microsoft, Citrix, VMware and Wyse.

Development of Ubuntu is led by Canonical Ltd. a UK based company owned by Mark Shuttleworth. Here is a video in which Mark explains how ubuntu will change the way we use our tablets. 

PS : You can download Ubuntu for your PC/laptop here .