As promised, Canonical has released a tool that lets you install Ubuntu Linux on the Google Nexus 7. Cleverly enough, it’s called the Ubuntu Nexus 7 installer, and it’s a relatively simple tool that you can use to install Ubuntu 12.10 on the 7 inch tablet.
In order to use the installer you’ll need a computer running Ubuntu, a Nexus 7 with 8GB or 16GB of storage, and a USB cable to connect the tablet to your PC.
You’ll also need to unlock the bootloader on your tablet. If you haven’t already done that, it’ll wipe all the data from your device. So proceed with caution.
Installing Ubuntu will also wipe your device — so if you plan to go back to Android, you’ll probably want to make a backup using TWRP or ClockworkMod, then copy that file to your PC or an external storage device for safekeeping. That way you can re-install Android (following Canonical’s instructions), re-root your device (following ours), and then re-install ClockworkMod or TWRP to restore from your backup and get your Nexus 7 back to where it was before you started.
At this point Ubuntu for the Nexus 7 is still in the early phases. While the OS includes support for the touchscreen and ARM-based chipset, you’re basically installing the desktop version of Ubuntu on the 7 inch tablet.
Canonical’s goal is to get developers testing the operating system on tablets, using the Nexus 7 as a reference platform. By 2014 the company hopes to be able to offer a unified version of Ubuntu designed to run on tablets, smartphones, and desktop and laptop computers. The launch of the Nexus 7 installer is just one of the first steps in that process.
Right now there are a number of issues. The camera doesn’t work. Bluetooth doesn’t work. Automatic screen rotation isn’t supported. And there are bugs affecting memory, sound, and other components. But this is a first preview release and it’s aimed at developers and testers, not the general public.
Canonical’s Ubuntu Community Manager Jono Bacon has more details about the project and the timeline on his blog. Basically the goal for Ubuntu 13.04 which will launch next April is to get the operating system up and running on tablets by optimizing battery life, memory, and other features. But it could take another year or so to optimize the user interface and other features for mobile devices.
via OMG Ubuntu
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6 Comments on "Ubuntu installer now available for the Nexus 7"
Hope this leads to something for my aging HTC Supersonic
Are all or only some of the software in the Ubuntu repositories installable? If the UI can be optimized a little bit and power consumption and performance issues are solved then I’d rather get this than a Windows RT or any other mobile OS based tablet. Too bad it’ll likely take over a year though.
It seems clear to me that Ubuntu and other distributions for desktop need to run on ARM, both notebooks and tablets, to stay relevant. This looks like a good way for to start. If they can get Ubuntu running well on the Nexus 7, then larger tablets and ARM notebooks should be easy.
So, the first step to getting Open webOS on a Nexus 7?
The Transformers would have been a much better target for the current “desktopish” state of Ubuntu and its very similar hardware.
However, it is very likely that the Nexus7 is selling WAY better than the expensive Transformers due to its ultra-low entry price.
On that note, Canonical should officially support the new Chromebook with a proper desktop release.
Great! May I find application for Ubuntu installation on the device in Google Play since the computer can not be near at hand or other operating system is installed?