Ubuntu 13.04 brings dramatic graphical performance enhancements

Today’s release of Ubuntu 13.04 on the desktop brings a host of performance and quality improvements making it the fastest and most visually polished Ubuntu experience to date.

Performance on lightweight systems was a core focus for this cycle, as a prelude to Ubuntu’s release on a range of mobile form factors. As a result 13.04 delivers significantly faster response times in casual use, and a reduced memory footprint that benefits all users.

This release also illustrates Ubuntu’s ongoing commitment to quality and dependability. Our kaizen approach to development as well as community engagement result in a high quality alternative for people worldwide, commented Jane Silber, CEO at Canonical. This release, our 17th on a regular cadence, meets the needs of enterprises, organisations, governments and communities looking for a secure and intuitive computing experience.

Canonical’s next generation display server, MIR is available as an option for developer testing and contribution. MIR will enable the seamless convergence of Ubuntu across phone, tablet and PCs in the next set of releases. Having just one codebase for all devices simplifies the lives of both developers and end-users, and makes possible a new generation of devices that combine the portability of the mobile phone with the productivity of a laptop.

Ubuntu 13.04 includes the Developer Preview SDK for developers to build native applications for Ubuntu devices. Using this SDK, developers can make a single application for all Ubuntu form factors and publish it in the Ubuntu Software Centre with a single upload. Developers have already started to create applications for Ubuntu across different devices.

Availability

• Download Ubuntu 13.04 at: www.ubuntu.com/download
• Find out about developing for Ubuntu at developer.ubuntu.com
• Download Ubuntu Touch Preview onto spare devices here.
• Get involved with Mir here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Mir/GetInvolved