Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, looks set to become the latest software maker to launch its own smartphone. Renders of a device labelled "Ubuntu Edge" were shared on the company's website before an Ubuntu event later today. The images depict a harshly angular device with a distinctive wedge shape at the top, two volume keys, and a power key. There's also another key at the top, but it's not clear what that'll be for. There are no physical buttons for navigation — the OS is gesture-based, after all. Here's our early preview of the OS from Canonical's January launch event:

If Canonical is launching the Ubuntu Edge today, we expect it to focus heavily on the platform's ability to scale. Ubuntu Touch shares almost all of its code with the regular desktop version of the OS (albeit compiled for ARM processors), and because of this a phone can fill in for a laptop or desktop computer when plugged into a monitor. The leak was first uncovered by Cassidy James on Google+. Canonical's "groundbreaking" event is scheduled for 8AM PT / 11AM ET — we'll bring you the latest as it happens.

Update: Canonical has officially announced the Ubuntu Edge smartphone. The company is looking to raise $32 million in one month to build the device using crowdfunding website Indiegogo. You can read more about it here.

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