Pro 5 becomes the first Ubuntu phone that can be used as a desktop computer too

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2016-06-03 00:52

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Edited by brian_rodrigues at 2016-06-02 22:24

 

The Meizu Pro 5 Ubuntu Edition smartphone features a Samsung Exynos 7420 octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a 5.7 inch full HD AMOLED display. When it launched earlier this year, it was the most powerful smartphone to ship with Ubuntu’s smartphone-friendly operating system to date.

Now it’s also the first Ubuntu phone that you can also use as a desktop computer.

 

Canonical has released a software update called OTA-11 for Ubuntu phones and tablets. One of the key features is support for connecting an external display using the Miracast wireless display protocol.

Ubuntu for phones and tablets supports a feature called “convergence” which lets you interact with a desktop-style user interface when you’re using a keyboard, mouse, and external display.

Now that the mobile version of Ubuntu supports wireless displays though, you don’t need a video port anymore. Just use a Miracast wireless display dongle to connect the phone to a monitor, connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you’re good to go.

 

When convergence is in use, the phone basically becomes the brains of a desktop computer, capable of running any Ubuntu software that’s been compiled for ARM-based processors.

The OTA-11 update brings convergence support to the Meizu Pro 5 smartphone, but there are also improvements for the existing BQ tablet, including smoother scrolling, improved Bluetooth mouse responsiveness, and improvements for display scaling and graphics.

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