Canonical has claimed its first corporate backer for its Ubuntu Edge smartphone after Bloomberg, the financial news giant, signed up to the $80,000 "Enterprise 100" package.
Canonical has resorted to the Indiego "crowdfunding" website in a bid to raise $32m in one month to get the project off the ground. The key differentiator to Canonical's smartphone idea is that it will have the power to be used as a desktop PC in the home or office, but will work like a smartphone when the user goes out.
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The device will run both Android and Canonical's Ubuntu distribution of Linux.
Bloomberg will receive 100 of the Ubuntu Edge devices and access to a range of Canonical workshops and technical support.
"Bloomberg supports open innovation and initiatives, such as Ubuntu Edge, that align with our software development and business priorities," said Bloomberg chief technology officer Shawn Edwards.
The company's head of web architecture, Justin Erenkrantz, added: "Bloomberg's developers are already designing and building software for advanced devices because our clients demand a seamless experience from the desktop to the mobile platform.
He continued: "Ubuntu's goal to offer a single-device solution for enterprise convergence and mobility is an exciting prospect and one that complements our vision for open development on the mobile platform."
While the Ubuntu Edge funding campaign started off quickly, raising $2m in its first eight hours, it has since slowed and is running behind schedule. The total currently stands at just over $8.5m.
The device will enter production for delivery in May 2014 if the $32m is raised by midnight, 21 August 2013.
