Ubuntu Edge, the next-generation smartphone that Canonical wants to build by tapping funds directly from end-users, has set the record for the most money raised in a crowdfunded campaign.
At more than US$10 million, it passed the previous record (US$10,266,844) set by the Pebble smartwatch. However with just six days to go, the campaign looks likely to also set a dubious record for a high-profile campaign that failed to meet its target.
Canonical, the UK-based company, which is also the company behind Ubuntu, the popular Linux distribution for desktop and server computers, set a target of US$32 million. At this stage in the campaign and with close to US$20 million to go, the prospects of meeting that target looks slim, unless some big-pocket backers step forward.
But if they haven’t come out before now, fugetaboutit!
If you love Canonical and what it stands for and you wish to help this campaign succeed, make you pledge on the campaign’s page on Indiegogo.
With just 65 hours to go, the amount raised is now $11.4 million, and at the rate people are pledging, the amount raised will be close to $13 million at end of count down.