Android currently owns the global mobile platform market and iOS is always right on the heels of Google's darling. But here's the thing -- what if the Ubuntu Phone manages to break out of the current mold and deliver something everyone wants and needs? What if this radical new interface design truly is a vast improvement over what we already have?

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ubuntu-phone-the-little-phone-that-could/

How Microsoft's $29 Nokia 215 Could Actually Sell More Windows Phones

selling the Nokia 215 for just $29 represents a way for Microsoft to wean more "dumbphone" users onto "smarter" feature phones with Web connectivity. Microsoft likely hopes that getting users hooked on Facebook, Twitter, Bing, and MSN apps can encourage them to eventually upgrade to low-end Windows Phones.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/01/17/how-microsofts-29-nokia-215-could-actually-sell-mo.aspx

Why Samsung should be happy to see Apple’s iPhone 6s crush sales records this year

The A9 chip is likely going to be found inside a variety of Apple products this year, including iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus successors as well as new iPad models...

..Samsung will be the main supplier for A9 chips..

http://bgr.com/2015/01/16/iphone-6s-rumors-a9-processor/

Apple posts the biggest quarterly profit in history

US technology giant Apple has reported the biggest quarterly profit ever made by a public company.

Apple reported a net profit of $18bn (£11.8bn) in its fiscal first quarter, which tops the $15.9bn made by ExxonMobil in the second quarter of 2012, according to Standard and Poor's. the Record sales of iPhones were behind the surge in profits.

http://m.bbc.com/news/business-31012410

First Ubuntu Touch smartphone ships for $190, unlocked

Starting on Monday, Spanish mobile manufacturer BQ will begin selling the world’s first Ubuntu-based phone, the Aquaris E4.5. The long-awaited Ubuntu phone will initially be sold in a series of limited volume “flash sales” across Europe that will be announced in the coming week. You can buy the dual-SIM phone unlocked for 169.90 Euros (about $190) and then purchase SIM bundles from 3 Sweden, amena.com (Spain), giffgaff (UK), and Portugal Telecom.

http://linuxgizmos.com/first-ubuntu-touch-phone-ships-for-170-euros-unlocked/

The Next Google?

Google's search engine is adept at crawling websites, indexing pages for return in its search results. But Google has a major blind spot: apps.

Google is working to solve the problem. App indexing for Google search is a protocol developed by the search giant that allows data contained within apps to show up in its search results.

Currently, it's restricted to Android apps. In other words, users of iOS (owners of Apple's iPhone and iPad) are completely left out.

Facebook's approach notably differs in that it's wholly cross platform: Not just Android and iOS, but also Windows Phone. In April, Facebook announced App Links, the first step in what could result in a project to index the mobile web.

There are also a number of private start-ups working on the problem -- the solution may come from a company that's far from a household name. ..as the mobile web remains increasingly centered on app usage, the potential for a breakthrough is there. It's a problem that could, one day, net tech investors significant returns.

The Motley Fool, January 17, 2015

First Ubuntu Phone BQ Aquaris Sold Out; But Will It Challenge iOS-Android Dominance?

The world’s first Ubuntu phone, the BQ Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition, finally went on sale last week and promptly sold out within day. The Ubuntu OS offers an alternative to iOS and Android but it has a long way to go before it can take on the two market leaders.

http://www.idigitaltimes.com/first-ubuntu-phone-bq-aquaris-sold-out-will-it-challenge-ios-android-dominance-414803

Meizu teases its Ubuntu-powered MX4 for MWC 2015

We knew that Ubuntu Phones were coming from Spain's bq and China's Meizu, so the only question really was "when?". With bq revealing the Aquaris E4.5 early this month, it was only a matter of time before others followed suit. It seems that Meizu will be taking advantage of MWC next week to do just that. It has just "teased" over at its Twitter account a Meizu MX4 that, without a sliver of a doubt, is running Ubuntu Phone instead of its own custom Android ROM.

http://www.slashgear.com/meizu-teases-its-ubuntu-powered-mx4-for-mwc-2015-27370751/

[ Re possible growth of Canonical's Ubuntu Phone platform.... ]

Another potential route for growth could be support from regions like China keen to dilute the dominance of U.S.-made or controlled mobile platforms — exacerbated by concerns about government intelligence agencies surveillance intrusions into U.S.-based commercial software platforms. Last month, for instance, the Russian government revealed plans to pay local app makers to migrate apps to open source alternatives to Android, such as Jolla’s Sailfish and the Samsung-led Tizen project. Ubuntu’s open source, European headquarted mobile efforts could be another contender there.

http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/06/canonical-ubuntu-phones/

I really suggest to stay away from it. Chinese companies known for big issues with many of their advanced tablets. More mass models usually are better.

Get Sony Tap 11 refurbished instead, I think I had link on deals topic, or can look at ebay.

Design of tablet seems to be made by sane man. I mean - thick corners with two full size USB ports, super are now.

I think it'll be common price :-)

Get this one instead for $330 - http://www.a4c.com/product/sony-vaio-svt11213cxb-11-6-tablet-w-keyboard-black-refurbished.html

As you can later buy stylus. And every other thing is better (comes with keyboard, screen is times better, same for construction).