Ubuntu Edge, the smartphone won’t be made: the reasons

A few weeks ago, we covered a new concept smartphone, due out soon.
It is Ubuntu Edge, a device based on Ubuntu that would have truly taken shape thanks to an online crowdfunding project.
It has just been announced by Mark Shuttleworth, spokesperson for the team working on Ubuntu Edge, that the smartphone’s release will not happen, as the required capital threshold is still too far off.
The company that was supposed to produce the smartphone, Canonical, had requested $32 million to complete the project.
However, the amount raised so far is just under $13 million, which, while not a negligible sum, is not enough to continue the development and production phase of Ubuntu Edge.
Mark Shuttleworth, in announcing the abandonment of the project aimed at commercialization, has officially stated that contributions received via PayPal will be refunded within 5 working days.

However, given the attention Ubuntu Edge garnered and the participation actually observed, the operation can still be considered among the successes and pilot projects that could, in the near future, open new avenues.