Ubuntu Core Desktop, Canonical’s immutable desktop that went quiet after its 2023 preview, is back. VP of Engineering Jon Seager admitted that preview “fell short” and laid out a restart.
The plan
- A new Ubuntu Core Desktop team, with image pipelines rebuilt.
- For the Ubuntu 27.04 cycle, three targets: browser-centric machines, developer workstations and gaming machines.
- The big blocker is app availability as Snaps. The other challenges are modularizing the desktop, permission prompts, and supporting KDE Plasma alongside GNOME.
My take
Immutable desktops are where a lot of Linux is heading: Fedora Atomic, SteamOS, and now image-based installs like Omarchy’s new F1 installer. Whether Snap-only apps can win people over is the real question. I’m curious to see the daily images.
God Bless, and May the Source Be with You!
