Canonical has unveiled the upcoming release of Ubuntu 10.04 Long-term support (LTS) Desktop Edition, a new version of Linux desktop distribution, with three years of support through free security and maintenance updates.
The company claims that the desktop edition of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS will feature extensive design work, faster boot speed, social network integration, online services and the Ubuntu One Music Store.
According to Canonical, Ubuntu l0.04 LTS offers improved boot speed, enabling users to speed straight to the browser for fast web access. The new ‘Me Menu’ feature consolidates the process of accessing and updating social networks including Facebook, Digg, Twitter and Identi.ca. The Me Menu also integrates chat channels allowing users to talk with friends on Google Talk, MSN and IRC.
In addition, the enhance desktop integration for the online service allows files and folders to be shared and saved on the cloud more easily. Bookmark and contacts sharing has been added, speeding the move from personal computer to personal computing.
The Netbook Edition feature facilitates netbook users with faster boot speeds on SSD-based devices, faster suspend/resume that will extend battery life and the industry-leading interface for these smaller screens, the company said.
Jane Silber, CEO at Canonical, said: “Ubuntu 10.04 LTS challenges the perceptions of the Linux desktop, bringing a whole new category of users to the world of Ubuntu.
“Changes like the new look and feel and the addition of a music store, layered on top of our relentless focus on delivering an intuitive and attractive user experience for new and existing Ubuntu users these are the bridging elements to the mainstream market that our community, our partners and our users really want. Long-term support makes Ubuntu 10.04 LTS very attractive to corporate IT as well.”
