The highly versatile Ubuntu was first spotted running on Google’s flagship Nexus 7 tablet just about a week ago.
And now Canonical has released an official tool that allows Linux enthusiasts to install Ubuntu Linux (12.04) on the tablet.
As Liliputing’s Brad Linder points out, the utility requires an unlocked bootloader, a computer running Ubuntu and a USB cable to connect the Nexus 7 to your PC.
“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,” Linder explained.
”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.”
It should also be noted that Ubuntu for the Nexus 7 is still in a relatively early phase, despite support for an ARM-based chipset and the tablet’s touchscreen.
As we’ve previously discussed on TG Daily, Canonical likely wants Ubuntu to be perceived as a tablet-friendly operating system for devs who can use the ARM-based version as an inexpensive reference platform.
However, while Linux may be wildly popular in the dev and modder communities, it is unlikely to achieve mainstream adoption in the mobile market which is currently dominated by Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS – with third place reserved for Microsoft’s upcoming Windows RT.
Remember, both iOS and Android have an extensive ecosystem associated with their respective mobile operating systems, while the recently launched Windows 8 will undoubtedly benefit from Redmond’s extensive resources (financial and otherwise) for continued app development.