Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 Released with Lots of New Features

A few minutes ago, the third and last Alpha version of the upcoming Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) operating system was made available for testing by the Ubuntu developers. As usual, we've grabbed a copy of it in order to keep you up-to-date with the latest changes in the Ubuntu 11.04 development cycle.

What's new in Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3? Well, Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 includes Linux kernel 2.6.38 RC6, LibreOffice 3.3.1, Unity 3.6.0, Mozilla Firefox 4.0 Beta 12, Transmission 2.13, Upstart 0.9.0 and lots of bug fixes.

The Unity interface of Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 has seen major improvements, including a resize function of the Dash, ability to sort applications by categories, and sort files by folders...

The installer in Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 has also been updated a bit, and it now allows users to upgrade their existing Ubuntu installation to the new release...

The information dialog for NetworkManager show now information about the IPv6 protocol...

Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 brings better support for Apple's iPhone device...

Mozilla Firefox 4.0 Beta 12 is now better integrated into Ubuntu 11.04...

There's built-in support for installing proprietary software, such as the RAR archiver utility...

Ubuntu One has a brand new and beautiful Control Panel...

Banshee Media Player replaced Rhythmbox and is now the default media player and organizer application for Ubuntu 11.04...

The kernel package in Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 have been updated to version 2.6.38-5.32, based on the Linux kernel 2.6.38 RC6. This kernel brings better graphics support for Intel, Nvidia, and ATI Radeon users, fixing black screen boot issues, and it fixes some resume/suspend issues.

Last but not least, Ubuntu Server Cloud 11.04 Alpha 3 brings cloud-init 0.60, with support for resizing of / at first boot, ability to set hostname when first booting and minimal OVF transport (iso) support. Ubuntu Server Cloud 11.04 Alpha 3 images are available in the OVF format.

What's new in Kubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3? Well, as you know from the previous Alpha version, Kubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 is still build on top of the KDE Software Compilation 4.6.0 environment. Kubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 includes new and working Samba filesharing system (simply right-click on any folder, choose "Properties" and share it with your network).

Kubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 also brings some updates to the system-config-printer-kde package, and a new System Language Selector that allows users to install, remove and manage languages from the system (integrated into the System Settings -> System Languages section).

What's new in Xubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3? Xubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 is build on top of the recently released Xfce 4.8 desktop environment. The default media player in Xubutu 11.04 Alpha 3 is now gMusicBrowser, replacing Exaile.

On April 28th, 2011, Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) will become the fourteenth release of the Ubuntu operating system. See you again at the end of this month (March 31st), for the first Beta version of the upcoming Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) operating system.

The Natty Narwhal Release Schedule:

December 2nd, 2010 - Alpha 1 release February 3rd, 2011 - Alpha 2 release March 3rd, 2011 - Alpha 3 release March 31st, 2011 - Beta 1 release April 14th, 2011 - Beta 2 release April 28th, 2011 - Final release of Ubuntu 11.04

Download Ubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Ubuntu Server 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Ubuntu ARM 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Kubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Xubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Edubuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Ubuntu Studio 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Download Mythbuntu 11.04 Alpha 3 (Natty Narwhal) right now from Softpedia.

Remember that this is an alpha release and it should NOT be installed on production machines. It is intended to be used for testing purposes only. Please report bugs to the Ubuntu Bug Tracker.