This makes for an easy root, Alephzain writes, but leaves devices open to attack -- allowing Kernel code injections and RAM dumps from malware-laden apps from the Google Play store.

ENGADGET: Security exploit opens Samsung Galaxy S III, Note II to attack, could let apps from Google Play write to Kernel

Ubuntu is the most popular operating system to be based on the Linux kernel - the code that lets software and hardware work together.

BBC: Ubuntu operating system comes to Android smartphones

Linaro engineers, leveraging their extensive embedded knowledge, will contribute to a wide range of open source projects covering areas such as tools, kernel, graphics and boot code.

ENGADGET: ARM, Samsung, IBM, Freescale, TI and more join to form Linaro, speed rollout of Linux-based devices