Following on HTC's heels, Ubuntu now also has a timer on its site, counting down to the same hour, hitting zero at 11 AM on Feb. 19, the same day HTC is set to hold a press conference, possibly about its One or M7 phone.
Ubuntu's announcement is far less ambiguous, stating clearly that it will be releasing a tablet. Last month, Canonical told The Verge that they "have plans to launch a tablet version of Ubuntu."
HTCGlobal posted a picture of a set of covered devices today, most of them smartphone-sized except for two devices closest to the camera. SlashGear speculates that Ubuntu's tablet would be debuting in concert with HTC and its big announcement, and is also hoping for an open-source platform, which it says is an idea HTC has been warming up to for years now, as evidenced by its Bootloader Initiative.
Ubuntu already has software you can run on your smartphone: Ubuntu for Android. It allows you to work with an Android UI on your phone and desktop mode when connected with a larger screen via HDMI. SG says that this would be a perfect jumping-off point for an Ubuntu tablet.
Ubuntu's mobile is set to debut in October with its own OS, the Verge reports. It features a gesture-heavy interface much like BlackBerry's Z10 and no buttons. The company touts an almost zen-like experience for users when they get their hands on the newest operating system. Because of Ubuntu's similarity to Android OS, Canonical says that it would be easy for phone manufacturers to convert hardware to work with Ubuntu OS.
If the events are related, along with the tablet we expect to hear about HTC's new One phone, which features a 4.7-inch screen and a whopping 468ppi. Teaser images also hint at a stereo system and a high-end camera in the works.
