Ubuntu Edge smartphone raises $4.8M (and can now be reserved for $675) | Ars Technica

Cash for Canonical —

Ubuntu Edge smartphone raises $4.8M (and can now be reserved for $675)

Canonical offers new prices for those who want first crack at the Edge.

Mark Shuttleworth discusses Ubuntu Edge hardware.

Canonical has now raised $4.8 million as part of its quest to develop a smartphone that can run both Android and the Ubuntu phone operating system. The phone will also have the ability to be docked with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to power a full Ubuntu desktop.

The company's two-day-old Indiegogo campaign seeks $32 million total, with backers getting first delivery of devices estimated to ship in May 2014. The campaign initially let backers spend $600 to reserve a phone, but that was a one-day-only offer. Once it expired, Canonical said backers would have to spend $830 to reserve a phone.

The company has changed the pledge levels for the campaign, this morning announcing new levels at $625 and up. The $625 pledges are now gone, but you can still buy in for $675, $725, or $775.

Other pledge levels include $1,400 for two phones and $10,000 for one of the first 50 Ubuntu Edge phones, e-mail access to designers and engineers, and an invitation to join Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth at the unveiling event. (Four donors have actually pledged at this $10,000 level.)

No one, however, has spent the $80,000 required for an "Enterprise 100 Bundle" consisting of 100 phones and some other perks geared toward business users.

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