This is not verified information, it's just a rumor

Nov 25, 2014 13:33 GMT  ·  By

Canonical announced a partnership with Meizu and Bq a while ago. These companies will be the first to release Ubuntu-powered devices and a new rumor about the first Meizu phone is now making the rounds, saying that it should arrive in the first quarter of 2015.

The one thing that Ubuntu developers are constantly asked is when will a phone with the new Ubuntu Touch operating system be made available in stores.

The truth is that they don't really know and it all has to do with the manufacturers. Meizu or Bq decides when they want to make a particular release, and Canonical is responsible with providing the best possible experience to users.

That means that Ubuntu Touch needs to be as stable as possible and to integrate all the features and functions that a user expects from a smartphone.

This is no easy feat to accomplish and developers are very close to providing a "golden" image that should work just fine. The information released until now, also as rumor, said that a Meizu phone might arrive in December 2014, but the new reports now say that the first quarter of 2015 is the estimated time of release. It's unclear if it's a fiscal quarter or a regular one.

Take the Meizu information with a grain of salt

There are probably very few people who really know when the first Ubuntu-powered Meizu will come out, but they are not saying anything. Now, a couple of Chinese websites are saying that Canonical and Meizu have signed an agreement to ship the first phones in the first months of 2015. Unfortunately, neither one is using any kind of source for this information, so it's hard to tell if there is any truth to it.

Apparently, Canonical's CEO, Jane Silber, signed an agreement of cooperation with Meizu's Li Nan, who is the Vice-president of Science and Technology for the Chinese company. Presumably, the MX series will be used and the phones will be distributed in both Europe and China. This is all the information provided so far, such as it is.

However, until Canonical actually makes a clear statement about this agreement, it should be treated as a rumor.

On the other hand, the Ubuntu developers seem to follow a very precise timetable and they are trying to finish the Ubuntu Touch RTM image as soon as possible. The reason for this haste might be the impending launch, but that's not a guarantee, by any measure.

In the meantime, you can check to see what Ubuntu Touch looks like with the latest release in our coverage.

Ubuntu Touch RTM (10 Images)

Ubuntu Touch RTM welcome screen
Ubuntu Touch RTM main menuDialer in Ubuntu Touch RTM
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