Mark Shuttleworth's Canonical, the company behind his Ubuntu brand, is set to launch the world's first handset running the software, the Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition.
The handset will be available across Europe from BQ.com through a series of flash sales over the coming weeks. The BQ Ubuntu smartphone, which "puts content at the heart of the experience", is described as "the perfect balance between price and specifications" and sell for EUR169.90.
Canonical CEO Jane Silber says the "launch of the first Ubuntu smartphones is a significant milestone. The new experience we deliver for users, as well as the opportunities for differentiation for manufacturers and operators, are a compelling and much-needed change from what is available today. We're excited that a rising star like BQ has recognised this opportunity and is helping us make it a reality."
The Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu boasts a slim design and 4.5 inch screen, and is described as being "perfect to experience Ubuntu's edge interactions and Scopes". Scopes are a reinvention of the mobile UI, and are a new way to "rapidly and visually access" digital services - music, social, web, local services, and photos among others - directly on the home screen.
The handset is dual SIM and completely unlocked so consumers can use it with their current network. Operators such as 3 Sweden, amena.com in Spain, giffgaff in the UK and Portugal Telecom are offering SIM bundles at purchase, exclusively from the BQ Web site, for buyers in those regions.
Canonical's 8GB Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition comes in black and features a five megapixel front camera and eight megapixel rear camera with autofocus and dual flash and full HD (1080p).
The rear camera is also equipped with BSI sensors and a Largan lens. It also boasts a MediaTek Quad Core Cortex A7 processor running at up to 1.3 GHz and 1GB RAM for a faster experience.
The date, time and URL for the first Flash Sale will be announced through @Ubuntu and @bqreaders on Twitter as well as Ubuntu G+ and Ubuntu Facebook within the next week.
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