Canonical has announced that Ubuntu Netbook Edition, the the netbook-orientated version of the Ubuntu operating system, will be ‘folded’ into ‘Ubuntu Desktop Edition’ for Ubuntu 11.04.
Gerry Carr, marketing manager at Canonical, the makers of Ubuntu, confirmed the news, writing: “From 11.04 the core product that you run on your PC will be simply, Ubuntu”, saying users will be able to run it “on anything you like from a netbook to a notebook to a desktop”.
Ubuntu introduced a dedicated netbook version, named Ubuntu Netbook Remix, in 2008. It used a custom launcher written in Clutter with large icons and simple navigation optimised for smaller screens. It proved popular with users and consumers, and was renamed Ubuntu Netbook Edition in 2009.
Why is Ubuntu dropping the Netbook Edition?
Unlike previous editions of the operating system, Ubuntu 11.04 will use Unity as its default desktop shell.
As Unity was originally created for the Ubuntu Netbook Edition, but adapted for use as a desktop interface too, the to maintain two separate versions of Ubuntu when they use the same desktop is moot.
Ubuntu 11.04’s UI will work just as well on smaller netbook screens as on desktops and larger laptops.
‘Two birds, one stone’ and all that.
Carr highlights that the move should not been viewed as as “withdrawal” from catering to the needs of netbook users.
He notes that the move is the result of Canonical “recognising that the market has moved on” and “separate images are no longer a requirement as the much anticipated convergence of devices moves closer”.
The consolidation is only affecting Ubuntu and Ubuntu Netbook Edition. It will not affect Ubuntu Server or any of Ubuntu’s official flavours.