"An Ubuntu tablet is a secure thin client that can be managed with the same tools as any Ubuntu server or desktop, " said Stephane Verdy, who leads enterprise desktop and thin client products at Canonical.

ENGADGET: Ubuntu for tablets revealed with split screen multi-tasking, preview for Nexus slates coming this week

And Ubuntu has been using the standard-issue display server to push its GUI to monitors across the globe since its color scheme was more sludge than slick.

ENGADGET: Canonical announces Mir, a custom display server that will serve up future versions of Unity

Ubuntu is a free, open-source platform for client, server and cloud computing.

ENGADGET: Ubuntu for tablets revealed with split screen multi-tasking, preview for Nexus slates coming this week

In bringing Ubuntu to the phone, Canonical is uniquely placed with a single operating system for client, server and cloud, and a unified family of interfaces for the phone, the PC and the TV.

ENGADGET: Canonical announces Ubuntu for smartphones, we go hands-on (video)