Ubuntu 13.04 (Raring Ringtail), the newest version of the Ubuntu operating system, is here. And it promises some dramatic new enhancements.
The release has been long expected. Ubuntu does two releases a year, in October and April, to add better performance and stability to the system. The Ubuntu operating system is a free platform based on GNU/Linux. Otherwise known as Raring Ringtail, the new version is available for download and promises to be the "fastest and most visually polished" to date.
"This release also illustrates Ubuntu's ongoing commitment to quality and dependability. Our kaizen approach to development as well as community engagement results in a high quality alternative for people worldwide. This release, our 17th on a regular cadence, meets the needs of enterprises, organizations, governments and communities looking for a secure and intuitive computing experience," said Jane Silber, CEO at Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu.
So what exactly is new?
Version 13.04 has improved social media intergration, new ways to handle having a ton of open windows, a photo lens in the Unity dash, a one-click option to share files and some style changes. Overall, the Unity shell is more finely-tuned and better-looking. The new version loses some older features, too, including the ability to install the GNOME classic shell and no WUBI (Windows-based UBuntu Installer), according to Lifehacker.
The social media integration is notable. When you add a Facebook, Twitter or other social media account, you can choose which apps on your system have access to it. If you change your mind later, you can turn off access easily. There's also a dashboard social lens feature that allows you to see posts from friends quickly. It also gives you notifications of new messages or mentions coming in.
Canonical says it's fine-tuning performance as it gets ready to launch Ubuntu to a range of mobile devices. This means regardless of system specs, the focus on a lightweight system garners faster response times.
