Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex

Not like we weren't totally expecting this or anything, but Canonical has chosen Computex as the expo where it will officially showcase Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Hailed as a "reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable internet-centric devices," the operating system will probably not be too foreign for those familiar with the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition. We are told that this flavor will feature a launcher that enables users to "get online more quickly and have faster access to their favorite applications," and that it "leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor." Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren't apt to ship until "later in 2008," though OEMs interested in getting in while there is still room on the bandwagon are encouraged to hit up Canonical. Full release waiting after the jump.

Gallery: Canonical makes Ubuntu Netbook Remix official at Computex

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Canonical Showcases Ubuntu® Netbook Remix at Computex

Canonical Now Delivers for OEMs a Rapid Route to Market For Netbooks Powered by an Intel® Atom™ Processor

Computex, Taiwan June 3, 2008: Canonical, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu®, today announced that it will be demonstrating a reworked desktop image of Ubuntu built specifically for a new category of portable Internet-centric devices – netbooks. These affordable, power-efficient, small screen devices, based on the ground breaking low-power micro-architecture of the Intel® Atom™ processor, and Ubuntu allow consumers to enjoy email, instant messaging, Internet surfing and on-line access to photos, videos or music with an affordable, reliable device.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix is built to provide a superb user experience leveraging Ubuntu's reputation for delivering operating systems that 'just work' in the desktop environment. The remix is based on the standard Ubuntu Desktop Edition but with a launcher that allows users to get on-line more quickly and have faster access to their favourite applications. Ubuntu Netbook Remix will enable device manufacturers to get to market rapidly with a compelling software solution on netbooks, as they have a standard user interface (UI) that is built on a widely used operating system underpinned by a globally recognised brand. Canonical is also working with ISVs to ensure that popular desktop applications are certified on Ubuntu, and will run on the Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

Canonical is already working with a number of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to deliver the software into the market on devices later in 2008. Demonstration versions will be available at Computex.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix leverages Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor. Intel and Canonical are working to create a next generation computing experience across a new category of affordable Internet-centric, portable devices; including Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), netbooks, nettops and embedded devices based on Intel Atom processor technology. Canonical is a founding contributor to Moblin and will continue to work with Intel to ensure the best open source applications become available to users and OEMs through Moblin.

"Our goal is to deliver a superb user experience while making it simple and cost-effective for device manufacturers to be able to bring their devices to the consumer marketplace," explained Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu. "Ubuntu has in a very short period transformed the perception of the Linux desktop experience. Many more people will experience Linux for the first time through these devices so working with Canonical, using our UI and leveraging software from the Moblin project is the best way to ensure the netbook experience is a success."

"At Intel, we see netbooks as an opportunity to expand basic Internet usage throughout the world through simple and affordable devices for consumers," said Doug Fisher, vice president, Software and Solutions Group for Intel. "The combination of Ubuntu Netbook Remix with Moblin technologies optimized for the Intel Atom processor will deliver a good Internet and media experience on Intel-based netbooks."

Availability: OEMs looking to ship Ubuntu Netbook Remix should contact [e-mail].

About Canonical Ltd
Canonical Ltd, the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu, is a global organisation headquartered in Europe, committed to the development, distribution and support of open source software products and communities. World-class 24x7 commercial support for Ubuntu is available through Canonical's global support team and partners. Since its launch in October 2004, Ubuntu has become one of the most highly regarded Linux distributions with millions of users around the world.

Ubuntu will always be free to download, free to use and free to distribute to others. With these goals in mind, Ubuntu aims to be the most widely used Linux system, and is the centre of a global open source software ecosystem. For more information visit www.canonical.com or www.ubuntu.com.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:07AM]

IDK, that launcher looks freakin' annoying...i was thinking of putting Ubuntu on my Wind, but i guess i'll just go with the regular Desktop Edition, and some Compiz-Fusion for the ultimate experience.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:49AM]

Exactly. Take a computer with limited screen real estate and clutter it up. . . .

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:51AM]

That's where multiple desktops come in.

[jay @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:28PM]

Good luck with that. Ubuntu with Compiz-Fusion and any multitasking is going to be painfully slow on the new Atom machines. And who knows what the battery life going to be like (Ubuntu and other linux distros aren't known for their power saving ability on the notebooks).

[Sam @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:56PM]

@ Ravi
Im writing this from a 7" Eee with full Ubuntu
Ubuntu is such a customizable OS that i feel no "clutter" whatsoever
Compiz lets me have many 7" desktops running so that each app can have its own seven inches, which is more than I can expect on a 10 or 11 inch XP laptop

[Sam @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:57PM]

@Ryan******

[Ravi @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:08AM]

This and the MSI Wind would be a great combination.

[ChuChu @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:12AM]

I want to find whoever coined the term "netbook" and do unpleasant things to them for an extended period of time.

[Jereremy @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:20AM]

Kinky ;]

[wizzle @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:58AM]

it was Intel.

[John @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:20AM]

Ooooo! I want one of these more and more every day.

[Keith @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:21AM]

Hm, I wonder if there are any repositories for this available for Gusty...

I'm not going to knock them for making such a thing, but I wonder at the utility of it for the newer low-cost laptops. It might make sense to use this for the older machines with low-res screens, but everything coming-out these days has screen resolution on-par with regular laptops.

[Sporkinum @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:43AM]

It cracks me up every time I see Gusty instead of Gutsy. Gusty Gibbon, the flatulent simian.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:48AM]

I actually L'd OL at that one.

[Keith @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:53AM]

Hm, I am now wondering how often I've inadvertently said "Gusty" in the past :-/ ...

[Markus Thielmann @ Jun 4th 2008 8:17PM]

No, but there are repositories for Hardy and Intrepid.

Have a look at
http://markusthielmann.com/blog/installing_ubuntu_netbook_remix_ubuntu_hardy_804

(Not trying to spam, I couldn't find another source for that information :->)

[Flashpoint @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:22AM]

I'm not knocking Linux or Ubuntu but, if you really want to sell these "Netbooks" to the general public - people who aren't on top of gadget news...you are best pre loading these computers with Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP (or at least haveing office XP as an option.

It is alredy great that these babies come loaded with integrated webcameras.

I just believe you'd sell plenty of these with an operating system the general public is familiar with - since most public libraries and schools are either running DELL Windows XP or Mac OS X and most offices are running Windows XP.

Alot of people unfamiliar with ASUS and WIND netbooks would trust them a whole lot more if they came with 2GB of RAM and Windows XP. Schools would turn to them for low cost laptop solutions if they had Microsoft Office XP. All they really want is WORD and POWERPOINT.

[David @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:26AM]

They do come mainly come with xp now, and I think 1gb is enough ram for it.

[huh @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:05PM]

The general public is familiar with images and metaphors. They know to click on Start and go to Programs, they know to click on the browser icon on their taskbar. You may think many open source programs are rip-offs of Windows versions, and often they intentionally are, for this very reason. Within the free software movement, there are efforts to provide Linux and OpenOffice training that is specifically comfortable and useful to people going from and to a Windows environment. Ironically, the average Linux distribution with OpenOffice is probably more familiar than Vista running the new Office.

[Eddie W @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:45PM]

We're also looking at price point here - adding the XP license and more ram to run it increases the cost of the laptop. There are lots of options for those looking for windows machines. I'm glad that there are OEMs willing to start installing Linux on these types of machines. This will hopefully increase its visibility and remove some peoples fears about the difficulty of using Linux. We may be fast approaching the time that libraries, schools, government and business use open source software as a way of decreasing costs. Most people sitting down at an Ubuntu machine have no problem figuring out how to use it.

Plus, maybe you've noticed that a lot of these companies are offering an option for XP.

[aaronsheath @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:54PM]

Actually, Microsoft is pushing windows on these machines, and with other software add-ons, you could make the thing cheaper or at least neutral.

[Elora HRanma @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:26AM]

I never thought Ubuntu could get uglier, but is that browner, more cluttered and without multi-desktop? Canonical , you seemed to have learnt a bit, changing the wallpaper and menu cascading in 8.04, but looks like that was a misleading step.

[aaronsheath @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:58PM]

Actually - even as a bit of an Ubuntu fan - I agree it's ugly. But I'm sure that's adjustable, and if you wanted a clean desktop - with drop-down menus - it's simple. Simple. Simple.

Also, are clean desktops a necessity on mini-notebooks? They're about getting at apps and using on the move, not really for living use. If you know what I mean...

[Striker @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:10PM]

You are obviously clueless. Not many people leave their theme as Metacity, unless they can't get Compiz running. Everything, even the menu cascading can be customized, so you have no reason to be calling Ubuntu cluttered and ugly, as the theme you would make probably looks extremely ugly and cluttered with 250px borders on each window edge. Think before you try to bash arguably the best operating system around.

[Anonymo @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:28AM]

Unfortunately, devices pre-loaded with UNR aren't APT to ship until "later in 2008.

Is this an intended pun?

[Brady @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:44AM]

Any word on when this will be available for download? Chances are, I'll have my netbook before this starts shipping with anything.

[Screen Deep @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:57AM]

Every time I see something like this I take a look at my Nokia maemo device and can't help to think that the wheel is getting invented time and time again.

As a complete diversion: I wish they (Nokia) would be able to give Symbian the boot and have the E90 type PDA/phone run Linux as well as the N800 type devices do. I probably don't fall in the 'average business user' category (who does?) because I really do enjoy the level of customization I am able to achieve with my N810.

-D

[SHoe @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:55AM]

Hmmm. I like the desktop here - but it is a little cluttered. And if they are going to go out of their way to show nice big icons on that desktop (smart for small screen 'netbooks') - then why not follow through and have text, title bars, and buttons (min, max, close) be larger? Curious since you can configure Ubuntu desktop quite easily for this (this is what I did for Ubuntu on my PS3 to make it easier for use from my living room sofa). I think that would make more sense - otherwise whats the point of making part of this distro netbook friendly? Sure savvy users can do this - but I thought the point is to make this user-friendly for people who aren't knowledgeable about Linux (people who just want a fast-boot, no fuss netbook).

[Superevil @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:07PM]

Thats some awesome grammar you've got there.

[anon @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:23PM]

Just give me a terminal emulator, and I'll race ya. :)

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:35PM]

Will this have the regular Ubuntu GNOME interface as well?

[CosterMonger @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:42PM]

I really just want a version that's runs with the base hardware, let me do the custom with some tasty COMPIZ FUSION, I still want to have a desktop background!

[Wayne @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:51PM]

That looks like it's meant to be used with a touchscreen.....

[zmjjmz @ Jun 7th 2008 4:38PM]

Wouldn't this mean that those same computers with touchscreens wouldn't be able to offer XP?
Not sure what that would really mean.

[vladoman @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:51PM]

in other words, Canonical put the ASUS EEE launcher on top of ubuntu, painted it brown... yawn

[digitallysick @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:30PM]

so the new interface is just some of the normal icons aligned differently on the normal desktop! wow, amazing new features

[wickedpheonix @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:40PM]

Is there an ISO on their site for this yet?

[barry99705 @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:56PM]

No, not yet. Probably not until it ships....

[7on @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:42PM]

Personally I think the Desktop is overrated in general. Why have it when a UI like this is a ton better?

Maybe it'll finally get people to stop saving crap to their desktop :p

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:53PM]

I kind of agree with you, but I also kind of don't!

Really it would be nice to fill the desktop up with something a little more immersible and useful, maybe a media centre / launcher app type thing to replace the usual clutter of shortcut icons and dumped files (I once filled up 3840x1024 of desktop space just from random files I dumped on the desktop).

Then again, the desktop is meant to be a blank canvas (albeit a bit of wallpaper). Its nice to have something static which doesn't do anything if you click on it. Most importantly something which doesn't take focus, even if you click on it.

Imagine how cluttered and awkward it would feel to have lots of windows open over the top of an interface like that?

I don't know. I like my large, clean desktop space which I can fill with whatever I want.

[ilh @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:43PM]

Here's to hoping this makes it into new eees as it looks better than the Xandros on their now.

[Doctor2 @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:38PM]

Yes, your crappy grammar is unwelcome here, Fusion. Go away.

[cubiclegangsta @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:45PM]

only a guess...

speaking on that launcher screen, would it not be highly likely that there could also be an option for a standard desktop session?

In example, the eeePC's "easy" desktop versus "advanced" desktop?

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:56PM]

I thought that doctors were generally very intelligent people. I guess I can cross med-school off my list of possible pathways. McDonalds instead?

[barry99705 @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:57PM]

Where the hell is that ban-hammer?

[James @ Jun 4th 2008 12:03PM]

But will it have wobbly windows?

[pat @ Jun 4th 2008 12:58PM]

will it run on an OLPC?

[VadimP. @ Jun 4th 2008 2:07PM]

Guys, listen to me, I'm the local smartass. If you want success, put XP on it, it's being supported until 2010. Yes, you're from there on your own, but hey, it's XP. Unlike the other OS's, it features labels, images, and things you can click on, and your users will feel right at home.

[Benny Mac @ Jun 4th 2008 8:45PM]

I think it looks sexy. I am not a great fan of brown (especially from Gutsy back), but this looks more contemporary and less "Fisher Price/Windows XP". Even my XP Computer at work has Nero theme, rather than blue because I am so sick of blue. Sick of it.

Having said that, if Intel or whomever don't like it, or don't think their consumer base like it - simple. Change all the theming (or put their logo on it) and make that as their base .iso. Easy peasy.

My missus (who is a complete and total noob with anything computer related), generally saves everything (and I mean everything) to desktop on Ubuntu, and then I end up sorting it into the Home folder and its subfolders (or on her lappie, she does). When she comes to a clean desktop and wants to find the ep of ugly betty she downloaded (OMG - I cannot believe I got her using torrents - it's a quantum paradigm shift in the universe), and it isn't there, she just goes to "Videos" and finds it.

I was about to buy an EEEpc, but between Dell's little offering (depending on its OS) and the others that seem to be ready to hit the market, I might hold off and see the competition.

My missus wants one too. And it has to look sexy. No more sub-notebooks that look like mini notebooks, the EEEpc has set a trend in cute, designery, consumer-oriented subbies, so all have to continue to do it.

[Fred @ Jun 20th 2008 4:43AM]

A dark background brings 2 benefits well worth considering:
- less power consumption = longer battery life
- less strain on the eyes
Getting back to the blackboard times... I'll definitely test it out.