Ubuntu parent firm Canonical announced that it has struck a partnership with China's Meizu and Span's Bq to create the first Ubuntu Mobile phones which will be launched at the end of 2014. The two companies will build the mobile devices using the most recent hardware, according to VentureBeat.

Ubuntu Mobile was announced by Canonical in early 2013. While this platform is mainly focused on tablets and smartphones, it can also be used for desktops when a mobile device is plugged in to a monitor, the report detailed.

During a conference call with reporters, Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth explained: "A lot of the reason for us to choose these two manufacturers is because they have a track record for being very tactical about how they bring devices to market - the right devices, in the right hands, at the right time."

Shuttleworth added that Canonical has not yet figured out how Ubuntu Mobile phones will be brought to other countries, the report added.

Right now, Canonical is probably still recovering from a failed crowdfunding campaign for the Ubuntu Edge smartphone last year. The campaign tried to raise $32 million but only came up with $12.8 million, VentureBeat reported.