Urbanus Magnus

The Ubuntu Phone OS made a noticeable splash as its initial developer preview was released for public download February 21st - and rightly so, as the Unity and screen-edge-based interface set this smart phone experience apart. Though this developer preview lacked a lot of functionality - an 'alpha' designation would be appropriate - the preview demonstrated a lot of interesting features that show a lot of promise. Initial Impressions: The design of the unlock/welcome screen is well thought out, in that the reticule in the centre warmly greets the user back to their phone. Once up and running, an animated version of the unlock screen should be a visual treat. Definite strength here. Once inside the phone, I really liked the unique layout of the separate screens: one for Music, one for Apps, and others for other content. It uses the page idea common to android and iPhone, but makes it so that one is specific to a type of content. I can see power users loving the abi...

The new Ubuntu Phone operating system is set to arrive February 21st -- a little less than 4 days away. For those who aren't familiar with Ubuntu, it is an extremely popular Linux operating system, who is now aiming to expand their territory into the mobile market. Android itself is Linux-based, and so the move from desktop to mobile isn't unprecedented. The OS will likely hold its own against custom Android ROMs -- such as Cyanogenmod and Android Open-Kang Project (AOKP).  The Ubuntu Phone OS promises a number of interesting new features. Image Credit: Canonical Canonical's Mark Shuttleworth has stated in a video published on the ubuntu website  (click the "Watch Video" button) that the operating system will be: Buttonless -- all the edges have functions which replace the standard 3-button tray in Android Run Ubuntu applications -- what features and programs will be available at launch in the mobile version are still up for debate ...

From early June this year, for two weeks, I'll be in Europe. Mostly Tuscany, to be more specific - since my dad and I are planning to do little father-son bike trip in Italy this summer. Italy isn't quite the most cycling friendly nation out there, I will admit (the Netherlands, Germany or France would be much better choices), but the Mediterranean climate, Roman ruins and picturesque scenes wherever one goes have swayed us.  That, and I kinda want to say "Hi!" to the pope. Pisa's Leaning Tower. I bet you a nickel this is the image that appeared in your brain when you read "Italy." As a veteran map-reader (from my boy-scouting days), I have been assigned the somewhat-daunting task of planning the cycling route, and all of our destinations. With a guidebook or two, and tips from friends, I've got the basic event agenda structured. But, what is really difficult however is the route forming; Italian roads are notoriously narrow (no shoulders!) and...