Canonical, with the assistance of Spanish and Chinese mobile device partners, will be rolling out Ubuntu-based smartphones around the world later in 2014. The partnership will see Spanish company bq and Chinese outfit Meizu teaming up with Canonical to ship “…the first Ubuntu devices on the latest hardware”.

An Ubuntu smartphone operating system has been a goal for Canonical for some time now and it looks as though it is finally coming to fruition. The Verge speculates that Canonical will probably be aiming at emerging markets for their first foray into the smartphone market and the company reportedly has plans to get the major smartphone apps functional on their operating system before the end of the year.

Canonical’s Mark Shuttleworth said “The mobile industry has long been looking for a viable alternative to those that reign today. Ubuntu puts the control back into the hands of our partners and presents an exciting platform for consumers, delivering an experience which departs from the tired app icon grid of Android and iOS and provides a fluid, content-rich experience for all.”

Just which smartphones will be appearing carrying the Ubuntu OS has yet to be details but odds are good that more will be revealed at this year’s MWC.

Source: Canonical via The Verge