Smartphones have become extensively popular and advanced through years with innovation and emergence of touch screens, larger display, better memory and RAM plus shapes & designs and operating systems, e.g. IOS, Android and Microsoft. Tablets have also made an impact with their large displays and specifications. They give users a better cellular GSM experience as compared to smartphones.
Apart from Samsung, Apple and LG, BQ has emerged as one of the best companies in terms of tablet and smartphone innovations. A recent product from BQ is the Aquaris M10 Android Tablet while the BQ Aquaris Ubuntu edition will be out around March.
Being their first Ubuntu based device, it can be used as a laptop and a desktop with completely different interfaces as well as the option to connect the mouse and keyboard through Bluetooth. Plus, it can also be used as a desktop by connecting it to external display via HDMI.
The device may have minor changes in specifications when compared to its Android version. Sources reveal it features a 10.1-inch HD Display with a 1920 x 1200 display, Quad Core Arm Cortex Processor, 2GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, plus 64GB SD card slot, 8MP HD Camera, Micro HDMI and 7500 MAH Battery.
As far as the price is concerned, the Ubuntu edition would cost around EUR260 while the Android version is priced around EUR250. Android devices tend to attract more users and customers so releasing a Ubuntu based device might create a niche in the market but only time will tell if the revenue and profit of the company increases as a result of it.
Lastly, there are some Cons of the device which might affect sales. The 2GB RAM is quite low and there is some compatibility issues as most of the apps won’t work on the OS. Moreover, there’s no front-facing camera as is a standard on other products in the same price range. Also, the device only works with Wi-Fi and no cellular capability will limit the experience.
Photo: courtesy Ubuntu
