Canonical, the same company that is bringing an Ubuntu preview to the Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 has announced that it will also release a preview version of Ubuntu for both the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets. The download will be available on Feb. 21 for smartphones and tablets. Canonical will provide installation tools and instructions to make the process of flashing Ubuntu to a Nexus device a relatively simple process.

Canonical has created some unique features for Ubuntu for tablets. One feature is called "side stage," a multi-tasking feature that allows you to run tablet apps and smartphone apps on a single screen (similar to Samsung's Multi Window multi-tasking feature).

Secure Multi-user allows multiple accounts to be accessed on a single tablet. It is fully encrypted and protects all of your personal data. It is ideal for the workplace as well as family use. You won't have to worry about anyone being able to access your information while using the tablet.

Edge Magic allows you to use the tablet's screen edges to navigate between apps, settings, controls and more. There are no physical buttons or soft buttons; navigating is performed in a simple and intuitive manner, using gestures from the edges of the screen.

One of the unique features of Ubuntu is that all of the apps created for the OS will be able to run on smartphones, tablets or any other device running Ubuntu. Applications will not need to be re-written or tweaked in any way to run on different hardware.

The first smartphones and tablets to ship with Ubuntu aren't expected to appear until 2014 so Canonical is releasing preview versions for smartphones and tablets so developers can create applications and test them out on the supported devices. Canonical expects to add additional smartphone and tablet support in the near future, but for now it will only be available for the Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 and Nexus 10. The software will be available to download on Feb. 21 from www.ubuntu.com.