Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop & Netbook Editions Due Oct 10; Dell First To Release Hardware?
Open-source addicts have been eagerly awaiting Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop Edition and Netbook Edition, and Canonical has confirmed they won't have long to wait for it; both versions will go up for download on October 10 2010. Meanwhile, DigiTimes's sources reckon Dell will be the first to out an Ubunto 10.10 based netbook.
That could happen within a month, according to Canonical, though the organization declined to comment on the speculation as to which company could be manufacturing it. Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook Edition includes a new UI, called Unity, which is specifically designed for smaller displays; it also supports touch and gestures for devices like tablets. An Ubuntu Light version can boot into a functional state in just seven seconds, with a browser and messaging apps.
Press Release:
Latest Ubuntu Version Puts Focus on Consumers and Mobile
Ubuntu 10.10 adds features for desktop and netbook usersLondon, October 7, 2010: Canonical today announced the upcoming availability of Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop and Netbook Editions for download on Sunday, October 10.
Focused on home and mobile computing users, Ubuntu 10.10 introduces an array of online and offline applications to Ubuntu Desktop Edition with a particular focus on the personal cloud. Ubuntu Netbook Edition users will experience an all-new desktop interface called 'Unity' — specifically tuned for smaller screens and computing on the move.
Ubuntu One, the personal cloud service for Ubuntu users, includes new services and expanded features, significant performance enhancements and interoperability with other operating systems including Google's Android, Apple's iPhone and Microsoft Windows.
The Ubuntu Software Centre, which gives users instant access to thousands of applications, games and tools, now includes the ability to purchase commercial applications, providing a unified portal for both free and commercial software. The Ubuntu community is putting renewed focus on attracting application developers and software publishers to make their work available to Ubuntu users. The universe of applications, both free and commercial, certified on Ubuntu continues to grow.
"Ubuntu 10.10 for desktops and netbooks is our most consumer-friendly release yet," said Jane Silber, CEO of Canonical. "Ubuntu One's personal cloud services will put Ubuntu at the heart of many users' computing worlds even when they need or prefer to use other platforms. Unity has the opportunity to change how we think about our use of computers and the Software Centre will bridge Ubuntu with the applications users need to switch to the world's best OS."
Ubuntu One Basic, available free of charge, provides a personal cloud for sharing and syncing files, contacts, bookmarks and notes, with 2GB of free storage, access to music from the integrated store and (new in 10.10) a beta client for Windows allowing users to integrate their Windows and Ubuntu worlds.
As part of the paid Ubuntu One Mobile service, applications are now available for Android and iPhone so users can stream their music collections from their personal cloud to their mobile devices and synchronize contacts. Users might find that they need extra capacity so 20GB blocks of additional storage can be purchased on demand.
Unity is a new interface for Ubuntu that is making its debut in Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook Edition. It is designed for highly mobile computing, making the most of precious screen space on mobile devices. The Unity interface also supports touch and gestures for the increasing number of devices that will support it, with larger icons and a more touch-intuitive interface.
Pricing and availability
Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop Edition is available free of charge for download from Sunday, October 10 from http://www.ubuntu.com.
Ubuntu 10.10 Netbook Edition (featuring the Unity interface) is available free of charge for download from Sunday, October 10 from http://www.ubuntu.com.
Existing Ubuntu users can upgrade directly from Ubuntu 10.04 LTS.
Ubuntu One is available from http://one.ubuntu.com.
Ubuntu One Basic is free of charge.
Ubuntu One Mobile costs USD $3.99 per month or USD $39.99 annually.
Ubuntu One 20-pack storage costs USD $2.99 per month or USD $29.99 annually for each 20GB package.
Ubuntu Software Centre and its applications can be accessed from the Ubuntu Applications menu.