Is This Proof That a New Ubuntu Phone Is In Development?

Midori is the name of a nimble webkit-based web-browser ― but could it also be the codename of a new Ubuntu Phone?

According to some recent chatter on the Ubuntu Touch IRC and on Launchpad, it could well be.

ReaderRichard S. pointed us to bug #1551811 , whichmentions the device codename ‘Midori’ withregards to a ‘trust prompt’ issue that causes a reboot on the MX4 and this mysterynew handset.

Later on in the bug report Pat McGowan,Director of Engineering at Canonical, says: “This will block midori rc”.

A quick Google reveals that the codename ‘Midori’ is in keeping with the codenames of previous Ubuntu devices, andis once againderived froma character in the Dragonball franchise:

Krillin Bq Aquaris E4.5 Arale Meizu MX4 Vegeta Bq Aquaris E5 Turbo Meizu PRO 5 Frieza Bq Aquaris M10 HD Cooler Bq Aquaris M10 FHD Midori Currently Unknown

Furtherevidence comes courtesyof chatter on the#ubuntu-touch IRC channel where, in a chat on June 21, Canonical Software Engineer Tony Espy madereference to“a new handset”:

we're working on a fairly large ofono change at the moment for a new handset
so we expect to land a new version of ofono soon
although not before the freeze for OTA12 A New Device Is Expected

My usual sources told me that a new handset was in the works a few weeks ago, but was unable to reveal more. I had beenexpecting the new phoneto be thereason behind Canonical’s press-call a few weeks back (where evidently it wasn’t).

Richard sums up: “I know these aren’t bullet proof facts, but I think Midori is a codename for a new phone. Maybe a Meizu one…”.

We’ll carry on digging to find out as much as we can on this mystery new device and update you as soon as possible.

But I should remind you that not all devices that get tested and/orused in Ubuntu phone development goes on toa commercial release. For now treat this as rumour rather than fact.

Big thanks toRichard S!