Smartphones running Canonical's Linux-based computer operating system Ubuntu will be available to customers beginning in October, earlier than the company had previously expected. Previously, the smartphones were expected to be released commercially in 2014. Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth told the Wall Street Journal that developers will have access to the OS in late February. Interestingly, he said that the smartphones will be available in “two large geographic markets” in October, revealing that North America is “absolutely a key market for Ubuntu”.

Shuttleworth also said carriers have shown interest in the platform but he did not mention which ones. The Ubuntu user interface is something of a hybrid between BlackBerry 10 and the webOS platform from Palm.

FierceWireless: Ubuntu phones to hit the market in October; TelecomTV content partner.