Ubuntu finally dipped its hands in the mobile OS market, joining iOS, Android, and Windows. The first smartphone powered by the Ubuntu mobile operating system is heading for launch at the Mobile World Congress in March. The mid-range Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition smartphone is also coming to Europe within a few days.

The Ubuntu-powered Aquaris E4.5 is made by Canonical and will lunge into the pool of low-end and mid-range smartphones. According to the specs list, the device features a 4.5-inch IPS LCD screen display with 960 x 540 pixel resolution, quad-core 1.3 GHz MediaTek processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB internal memory with microSD slot for additional storage, and 8-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera.

One of the notable features of the software is its user interface dubbed as Ubuntu UX. It features a swipe-from-the-edge gestures that allow users to swipe from the four different directions yielding various functions. Users can swipe from the top to check call logs and access quick setting; swipe from the left to access a dock of app icons; and swipe from the right to access the opened apps. Reports claim that the software's emphasis is on user experience.

One of the main concerns about the new firmware is the variety of apps available. The company is trying to lure developers by saying that they can create full apps for a fraction of the cost and by making it available via Ubuntu's Scopes. Just like Android, Ubuntu is open-source, meaning it allows developers to create their apps fit for the Ubuntu devices. It can run apps coded either in the HTML5 web programming language or its own native QML code.

The Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition will be released in selected European markets and will be available on BQ.com for an affordable price of 169.90 euros. The handset will also get a formal launch at the MWC event wherein the OS features will be detailed.