Canonical has revealed Ubuntu for Android, a dual-OS concept that allows a smartphone to be used as a desktop when docked.

Ubuntu for Android features a full version of the open source desktop OS working alongside Google’s mobile OS.

When the phone is being used as a smartphone, it runs Android. When it’s docked into a laptop or a desktop setup, it automatically switches to Ubuntu, without user input or a restart.

With Ubuntu for Android, files and applications are shared between the two OSes. For example, calls and text messages can be sent and received via Ubuntu in desktop mode.

When in docked mode, Ubuntu fully syncs email, displays Wi-Fi and other connectivity just as a phone would - including offering 3G access should you want it - and pulls in Android contacts, music and apps.

Android continues to run in the background, with everything kept synchronised. For example, if you’re typing up an email in Ubuntu, but have to leave, picking up the phone from the dock will bring the message up in Android, allowing you to continue composing.

The Trimble Yuma is both water and dust proof, is tested to MIL-STD-810F standards (just in-case you we’re tempted to take one into a warzone/throw one out of a plane) and shields its internals in a magnesium alloy shell capable of withstanding extreme cold (-22°F) to searing heat (140°F).

Specification wise the Yuma packs mediocre-sounding but seriously-sensible innards: -

• Intel Atom Z530 @ 1.60ghz
• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• 7″ Sunlight readable resistive touchscreen display (1024×600)
• 32GB SSD
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• Outward facing 2MP camera (with geotagging)
• Inward facing 1.3MP camera (with geotagging)
• GPS
• SDIO Card slot
• 34 pin Expresscard Slot
• headphone/microphone jacks
• 8 hour battery (4 hour dual batteries)

In need of a ‘rugged, military-grade tablet’ running Ubuntu? Well you’re not the only one apparently… 

SDG Systems, a self-described reseller of ‘value-added reseller of rugged computing products, have launched an Ubuntu 10.04 Netbook Edition version of their (somewhat aged) Trimble Yuma tough tablet.

“Our customers have told us that they need a rugged, military-grade, tablet computer running Linux. We are pleased to provide that option for them,” said the company’s President Todd Blumer.

An Ubuntu tablet will ‘battle’ against Android and iOS Canonical’s CEO Jane Silber has said.

And although Ubuntu isn’t running on tablets yet she told Techworld‘s Paul Krill that ’announcements in that area‘ are to be made later this year.