[Go Update] First MediaTek MTK Ubuntu phone commercially released

[GoBot]

BQ, maker of Aquaris model phones, tablets and E-Ink readers have released the first ever commercially available Ubuntu phone. Specifically the model is Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition and is available directly from BQ's website for $180. The specs of the Aquaris E4.5 are: 4.5" 540P display MT6582 900/2100 WCDMA OTG Bluetooth 4.0 1GB/8GB The Ubuntu OS is interesting, but the specs for the price aren't. The Aquaris E4.5 is more than double the cost of the great THL 4000, which has a huge 4000mA battery and 850/900/1900/2100 WCDMA. It's extremely difficult to recommend this phone other than to those who are intensely interested in giving an official Ubuntu OS released phone a try. The OS is developed by Canontical and within a week of the first official Ubuntu release, Canontical has already released an OTA update that promises a host of bug fixes and improvements: - Much improved battery life – especially when the phone is in standby - Uber scope available from the store (automatically added to NearBy when installed) - Screenshots no longer show the volume indicator - Notifications can be dismissed by swiping - Photos can be edited directly from the Camera photo roll - Added support for uploading photos via the Google+ and Twitter apps - Photos received via Telegram now appear in the Photos scope - Fullscreen and Normal modes are now supported in Gallery photo display - Minor improvements to the Camera and Gallery apps, the Music app, Contact syncing, and replying to messages from the Notifications area - Improved support for BT devices that require a Pin code for pairing - Silent mode indication added to sound indicator - General bug fixes While BQ is a fail in the price department, the good news here is that since this Ubuntu is for MT6582, it likely means the OS developed by Canontical can easily be ported over to other MTK devices.