Ubuntu Core Desktop Development Accelerates Ahead of the 27.04 Release
Canonical is stepping up development of Ubuntu Core Desktop, its immutable, Snap-based desktop operating system. A dedicated team has been formed to move the project forward, with daily builds planned ahead of Ubuntu 27.04.
First announced in 2023 and released as an early preview, Ubuntu Core Desktop had seen little visible progress, leaving its future uncertain. Canonical engineering VP Jon Seager says development is now accelerating. He also emphasized that the traditional, Debian-based Ubuntu desktop is not being discontinued.
The team is initially targeting three kinds of users:
- People whose work is primarily browser-based
- Developers
- Gamers
There are substantial challenges ahead. The desktop’s software stack must be packaged as modular Snaps, allowing components to be replaced; KDE Plasma is also planned as an option. The project must address gaps in available Snap applications and support developer tools that rely on other packaging formats, virtualization, or containers—all without making the system confusing to use.
Canonical’s long-term goal is for Ubuntu Core and Snap to become a central platform for Linux applications and workflows, and eventually the default Ubuntu experience across desktops, data centers, and edge devices. The company says the system is intended to be safer, more resilient, and easier to trust.