Microsoft is ahead of the game when it comes to convergence. Canonical had the idea first, but he could not get there first, although he will. Windows 10 has brought the expected convergence, although there is still a long way to go in this regard. But the first step has arrived and Windows 10 does not differentiate between PC, smartphone or tablet. Thus, a programmer can create software only once and that it works for any platform with Windows 10.
Apple does not seem to have a major development yet In this sense, and although lately it is rumored with an iPad Pro with the possibility of choosing between iOS and Mac OS X installed, this would not be convergence, but a simple adaptation of OS X to the ARM platform. Also, as I say, at the moment there is nothing official and they are just rumors. We'll see how this ends ...
Who if this path has started is Canonical and they want to win the battle, remember that whoever laughs last laughs best. We have long announced this expected convergence between the desktop and other mobile devices in Ubuntu. Now, one of the main shortcomings of Ubuntu Phone is the lack of software compared to iOS and Android, but if convergence comes, this could change radically.
From what we have known, BQ, the Spanish company that has given so much good news, such as the launch of the first smartphone with Ubuntu Phone of the market, will be in charge of manufacturing the first device that brings this convergence. BQ in collaboration with Canonical could bring us convergence in October ... It would be the first smartphone capable of becoming a PC just by connecting it to a screen.
As I say, BQ will be in charge of creating a high-end device and that its name could be BQ Ubuntu Pro. Also, unlike the Aquaris E4.5 and the Aquarius E5 They are terminals for Android that have been "recycled" to adapt Ubuntu from the factory. But BQ Ubuntu Pro would be hardware specially designed for Ubuntu.
As we can see, both Canonical and Microsoft have taken very similar paths in this regard. Microsoft has chosen to create a universal app platform for all devices and, on the other hand, its Continuum for phones technology, that is, the ability to transform a mobile device into a PC just by connecting it to a screen, transforming it into the traditional Windows 10 for the desktop. Canonical wants to do the exact same thing… or something else? Because lately they are very quiet ...
Although Windows 10 is making itself wait longer than anticipated and that Canonical may arrive right after, the question is not who will arrive first, but who will have the best convergence in the market, because the winner could turn the mobile device market upside down. And certainly, Canonical is a company that resembles Apple in some ways, with a much more forward-thinking and futuristic vision.
On the other hand, if Apple with iOS and Google with Android, among other platforms (Tizen, FIrefox OS,…) do not do something spectacular, they could lose market share if the convergence of Microsoft and Canonical reaches the masses. In conclusion, to say that, in my opinion, Microsoft has the money, but Canonical has what they lack ... What do you think?