Last checked and updated on April 15, 2026What Is New in Ubuntu 10.10
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| New Features | Ubuntu One Music Store, Shotwell as default photo manager, Ubuntu Software Center improvements, New installer slideshow |
| Desktop Environment | GNOME 2.32, updated theme, new window controls, MeMenu for IM integration |
| Core System | Linux kernel 2.6.35, GCC 4.4.4, Python 2.6.6 |
| Networking & Cloud | GWibber social client, improved Bluetooth support, Eucalyptus 1.6.2 for private clouds |
| Software Updates | Firefox 3.6.10, Thunderbird 3.1.4, F-Spot removal, LibreOffice 3.3.2 in repositories |
What are the major desktop and user experience changes?
The desktop got a significant visual and functional refresh. The theme was updated with a cleaner look, and window controls moved to the left side, which felt more natural for many users. Shotwell replaced F-Spot as the default photo manager because it handled large photo libraries more efficiently.
Social integration became a first-class citizen with the MeMenu. This single menu in the panel let you broadcast messages to multiple social networks like Twitter and Facebook simultaneously through GWibber. In practice, this made sharing updates much faster without switching between applications.
How did software installation and management improve?
The Ubuntu Software Center matured into a more capable application store. You could now browse and purchase music directly from the Ubuntu One Music Store integrated within it. This was a clear move towards a centralized hub for getting all your software and media.
The installer also received attention with a new slideshow that introduced Ubuntu's features during setup. For developers, the repositories included a much newer version of LibreOffice (3.3.2) right from the start, which was a welcome update for productivity.
What under-the-hood updates are important for developers?
The core platform shifted to the Linux 2.6.35 kernel, which brought better hardware support and performance tweaks. The toolchain update to GCC 4.4.4 and Python 2.6.6 provided a stable foundation for building and running applications.
For cloud development, Eucalyptus 2.0 was available in the repositories, making it easier to deploy and manage private clouds compatible with Amazon EC2. This was crucial for developers building scalable infrastructure.
How was the netbook experience enhanced?
The Ubuntu Netbook Edition (UNE) used the new Unity interface for the first time, designed specifically for smaller screens. It featured a launcher on the left side of the screen for quick access to applications, making better use of the limited vertical space.
This interface was fast and focused on maximizing content area. It represented a bold departure from the traditional desktop metaphor and was a preview of Ubuntu's future direction on all form factors.
FAQ
Why did Ubuntu switch from F-Spot to Shotwell as the default photo manager?
Shotwell was chosen because it offered better performance, especially with large photo collections, and had a simpler, more intuitive user interface for most common tasks like importing and basic editing.
Is the Unity interface in 10.10 the same as in later versions?
No, this was the first iteration of Unity. It was specifically designed for netbooks and lacked some features of the more mature Unity shell that later became the default desktop.
Can I still install F-Spot if I prefer it?
Yes, absolutely. While it was removed as the default, F-Spot remained available for installation from the Ubuntu repositories for users who preferred it.
What are the system requirements for running Ubuntu 10.10?
The desktop CD required 384 MB of RAM to run the live session, but 512 MB was recommended for a usable experience. A 1 GHz x86 processor and 5 GB of disk space were also required.
Was LibreOffice included on the installation CD?
No, LibreOffice 3.3.2 was not on the installation CD but was available immediately after installation from the main software repositories. The CD contained OpenOffice.org.