Ubuntu Phone OS can already work with traditional phone functions, voice mail, SMS, MMS, e-mail, web browsers, photos, music and videos. There is a unified inbox here uniting all new messages, E-Mails, calls and messages in social networks of the device owner. The special "swipe" interface allowing to answer a message on Facebook or Twitter, or to send SMS or E-Mail just with a few touches is implemented in the Ubuntu Phone.

I found very interesting that it will be possible to use a device running on Ubuntu Phone OS without touching it, using just your voice. Don’t you think that it looks like a serious competitor to Siri? The lock screen will also be absent on such device. Instead, users will face a multifunctional and individually customizable welcome screen. Moreover, each smart phone manufacturer may use this flexibility to customize the Ubuntu Phone interface and to achieve a unique design of its product in that way. The interface of interaction with the user should be mentioned separately, too. When you touch the screen edges, different actions will be performed providing you a unique multifunctional experience. But describing all these impressive features just with words doesn’t make much sense – so, I suggest you to watch this video:

Despite the fact that Canonical sees delivery of ready-made devices as its major task, you’ll get the possibility to easily install Ubuntu Phone OS on any of supported smart phones. In particular, there will be a separate version for the Galaxy Nexus that is currently used by mobile developers at the system development phase. The company plans to release devices running on Ubuntu Phone OS at the end of 2013, or at the beginning of 2014.

And one fundamental issue about Ubuntu Phone OS more – it will always be free of charge, including enterprise versions and security updates.

In my opinion, Ubuntu Phone OS looks like a direct competitor to Android – provided that all features from the demo video will be realized. What do you think about it?