Ubuntu 9.10, codenamed Karmic Koala, is the next major release of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. Karmic is scheduled to be released in October, but developers and testers can get an early look by getting the alpha 5 release, which will be available for download next week. Feature freeze and first look at new graphics will mark this version.
The roadmap for Ubuntu 9.10 was announced back in February. CEO Mark Shuttleworth of Canonical explained that some of the main features will include extensive support for cloud computing and further netbook compatibility improvements. During the recent Ubuntu Developer Summit in Barcelona, developers also discussed some other experimental features that are tentatively planned for the Karmic release.
These include support for Android applications, integration of social networking software, improved development tools, next version of Firefox 3.5, and many usability enhancements. Ubuntu also began taking major steps towards reducing boot time since 9.04, so that the developers’ ambitious ten-second startup goal can be achieved in the future version 10.04.