Canonical has launched a public campaign in a bid to raise $32 million to build a new Linux-based smartphone.
The funds for the Ubuntu Edge smartphone are being raised on the online crowdfunding service Indiegogo.
Canonical, founded by South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth, says the campaign is a fixed funding project, which means it's all or nothing, and it has to achieve its goal within the next 30 days in order to be successful.
"Canonical needs to raise over $1 million per day to meet its target, and for a high concept device that costs $600 per unit in pre-order backing on day one or $830 per device after that, that's going to be no easy feat," says the company.
Canonical also posted a video to YouTube where Shuttleworth reveals his vision for the device. He says the Ubuntu Edge will combine the mobility of a smartphone with the power of a desktop to offer the ultimate in convergence.
According to Shuttleworth, new mobile technologies get proven in the lab, but then hit a production roadblock, because manufacturers don't want to back a new technology until they know it can be produced at a massive scale. That is why the company has opted for crowdfunding.
"To make the future of mobile happen, we'll have to smash every record in crowdfunding history," Shuttleworth is quoted as saying in a press statement. "But if there are enough enthusiasts who want the ultimate in performance, storage, screen, battery and bandwidth, Ubuntu Edge will be the catalyst for awesome innovation, and a taste of the future of the phone."
Design of a superphone
The Indiegogo Web site reveals the design of Canonical's self-described "superphone".
Wrapped in a metal outer casing, the 11.4cm screen will not focus on pixel density, but instead better dynamic range and colour accuracy. The screen will be covered by sapphire glass, and the Edge will have the "fastest available multi-core mobile processor", 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It will also feature a dual-LTE chip inside for wide-reaching wireless range.
On the software side, the Edge will dual-boot both the Ubuntu phone OS and Android. One of the key features of the proposed device is the ability to become a desktop PC when it is docked.
Canonical reportedly aims to deliver a limited run of 40 000 devices by May 2014.
Those wishing to contribute to the funding of the Ubuntu Edge can do so online at Indiegogo.
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