The next release of the Ubuntu operating system, 11.04, will use Unity as its default desktop interface. That’s the word from Mark Shuttleworth, creator of Ubuntu and founder of Canonical.
Speaking Monday at the Ubuntu Developers Summit in Orlando, Fla, Shuttleworth said “users want Unity as their primary desktop.” Unity is the netbook-intended interface for this popular Linux OS, and it will be adapted for desktop implementation, such as in file management. The push to adopt Unity comes as Canonical is seeking wider acceptance among non-technical users for Ubuntu, and as non-desktop devices continue to reshape the computer landscape.
One Integrated Interface
The Unity interface, although based on the GNOME desktop interface, intentionally has delivered a different user experience, such as featuring the icons of the most popular apps on the left-hand side of the screen. This layout, derived from smartphones but adapted for netbooks, leaves a larger work space.
Shuttleworth said Dell has sold several million Ubuntu-based desktops, laptops and netbooks, and he indicated he expects other major manufacturers to release Ubuntu-based devices. Utilizing one integrated interface for desktops and netbooks could increase its appeal to manufacturers and customers. New features, most notably touch interaction, will be part of Unity and the applications it runs.
Shuttleworth told developers at the summit that the intention is to make Utouch, which supports multi-touch and gestural interaction in Ubuntu, into “the standard gesture language for Linux-based devices.” However, although touch has been propelled by the rising tablet category, Shuttleworth hasn’t indicated that a tablet-specific Ubuntu is in the works at the moment. Nonetheless, some companies are reportedly using Ubuntu to build their own tablet OS.
3-D Version
One contentious aspect of the move is that it splits Unity from the GNOME user interface, which has been commonly used on Ubuntu. GNOME has been primarily a desktop UI.
Shuttleworth said Unity…