Last checked and updated on April 15, 2026What Is New in Ubuntu 13.10
Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander) delivers a host of updates across the core platform, developer tools, and cloud infrastructure. Here's a quick summary of the key changes.
| Category | Key Updates |
|---|---|
| Core Platform | Linux 3.11 kernel, Upstart 1.8, Python 3.3 |
| Desktop & Display | GNOME 3.8, Smart Scopes, Mir Tech Preview |
| Cloud & Servers | OpenStack Havana, Juju GUI, MAAS 1.5 |
| Developer Tools | GCC 4.8, Go 1.1.2, Dart, Rust, Vala |
| Applications | LibreOffice 4.1, Firefox 24, Thunderbird 24 |
What's new with the core system and kernel?
The foundation gets a significant bump with the Linux 3.11 kernel. This brings better power management for newer hardware, particularly with Intel's "PowerClamp" driver and AMD Radeon dynamic power management. In practice, this means better battery life on supported laptops.
System and service management is handled by Upstart 1.8, which includes a re-exec function for safer upgrades. The default Python stack is now Python 3.3, pushing the ecosystem further towards Python 3, though 2.7 remains fully available.
How has the desktop experience improved?
Ubuntu 13.10 ships with the GNOME 3.8 desktop environment. The biggest user-facing change is the introduction of Smart Scopes, which aims to make the Dash search more intelligent by including online sources. You can control this from the Privacy settings.
This release also includes a technical preview of the Mir display server. It's not the default yet—XMir is provided for testing and development purposes. This is a crucial step for the eventual transition away from X.org.
What are the major updates for cloud and servers?
For cloud deployments, Ubuntu 13.10 integrates OpenStack Havana. This is a big deal because it brings a ton of new features for building scalable public and private clouds. The entire stack, including Nova, Glance, Cinder, and Horizon, is updated to the Havana release.
DevOps tooling gets a boost with the Juju GUI now being included directly in the archive, making service orchestration more visual. MAAS (Metal-as-a-Service) is updated to version 1.5, improving bare-metal server provisioning.
Which developer tools and languages were updated?
The default compiler is now GCC 4.8, which offers improved diagnostics and C++11 support. This matters for developers working on performance-critical code.
Several newer programming languages saw updates or new inclusions: Go 1.1.2, Dart, Rust, and Vala. Having these in the main archives makes it much easier to develop and deploy applications without hunting for external PPAs.
FAQ
Is Mir replacing X.org in Ubuntu 13.10?
No, not yet. XMir is included as a technical preview for testing and development. The default display server remains X.org. The preview allows developers to start adapting their applications for the future transition.
Can I still use Python 2.7?
Absolutely. While Python 3.3 is now the default python3 interpreter, Python 2.7 remains fully installed and available as the default python interpreter. Your existing scripts won't break.
What are Smart Scopes and can I disable them?
Smart Scopes expand Dash search to include online results. If you're concerned about privacy, you can easily disable online searches entirely from System Settings > Security & Privacy > Search tab.
Is OpenStack Havana ready for production?
Ubuntu 13.10 provides the packages, but since it's a non-LTS release, it's primarily aimed at development and testing of OpenStack. For production deployments, using the Ubuntu Cloud Archive with an LTS release is still the recommended path.
How do I test the Mir display server?
You can install the xmir package and log into an Ubuntu Mir session from the login screen. Be prepared for potential instability as this is an early preview intended for developers.