News, tips and features on the Unity desktop environment, the default shell in Ubuntu.
In an attempt to both broaden the types of data that can be searched from the Dash and increase the relevancy of results, Ubuntu and Canonical are to introduce some major improvements to the Scopes API.
An additional way of switching between application windows in Ubuntu's Unity desktop has been proposed by a developer.
A new window snapping effect is one of several changes to have recently arrived in Unity in Ubuntu 13.04. Read on for more details and a video of the effect in action.
New options have been added to the Appearance Settings pane in Ubuntu 13.04. With a click you can now disable the 'Workspace Switcher' item, used to navigate between the four workspaces Ubuntu provides by default.
If you're an Ubuntu User that enjoys pushing their desktop customization to the limits, then you may have heard of new desktop configuration tool by the name of 'Mechanig'. Although desktop-tweaking tools aren't scarce, Mechanig aims to equip users with a fast, easy-to-use tool. I recently had the opportunity to interview the Freyja Development Team.
Unity's Previews feature has seen a number of refinements over the last week as work on Unity in 13.04 continues. A slicker animation has been introduced, along with better visual differentiation between the active and inactive preview items. If you're a subscriber to our YouTube channel then you'll have seen a video of these tweaks in action yesterday.
Updated navigation bar icons for the Unity Dash have been proposed for Ubuntu 13.04. The updated designs by Matthieu James iterate rather than overhaul those currently used in Ubuntu.
More online integration is coming to Ubuntu in its next release, Canonical have announced. Ubuntu 13.04 will 'fulfil' the goal of the Unity Dash to be a one-stop global search tool. It will include more 'Scopes', a new relevancy ranking system, and a wider range of commercial product suggestions.
Along with the recently covered design changes heading (tentatively) to Ubuntu 13.04, came some changes to the Unity launcher. Now, if you're one of these folks who can't wait to get the latest thing I've created a simple little hack for you.
The Unity desktop is more customizable than it's often given credit for, you just have to install an extra app to unlock its potential. We’re going to show you how to use a small app called ‘Unsettings’ to tweak Unity to suit your preferences.
Ubuntu 12.10 introduces a slower window minimising animation so that users have enough time to 'register' where their apps go to. If you're used to using Ubuntu and Unity, or have a serious case of impatience, you may find that it's too slow. But the good news is that you can adjust it - but you will need to get you hands dirty to do so...
StormCloud is a new weather app for Linux - although soon to arrive on Chrome and Android - created by Lightread's Jono Cooper who was fed up of seeing 'so many beautiful apps on Dribbble that didn't get made'.