Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Alpha 6 Released, Features The New Ubuntu Software Store [Screenshots]

Ubuntu Karmic Alpha 6 was released with a small delay and the most important new feature is the new Ubuntu Software Store (which a lot of people are saying should be renamed, actually). Ubuntu Software Store is temporarily located under System, with a plan to replace Add\Remove in the Beta release (screen-shots below).

Another change in Karmic Alpha 6 is that the boot splash screen (Usplash) has been removed for improving the startup time. Ubuntu will now have an X-based splash screen (Xsplash - you can install it in Alpha 6 by using the following command: sudo apt-get install ubuntu-xsplash-artwork && sudo apt-get install xsplash ). Here is a video with the new Xsplash:

Also, the Indicator Applet can now open the Empathy Instant Messenger and/or the Evolution Mail client:

This week, the User Interface Freeze for Ubuntu Karmic Koala took place meaning no major changes will be made from the appearance point of view.

The Karmic Koala Release Schedule:

May 14th, 2009 - Alpha 1 release
June 11th, 2009 - Alpha 2 release
July 23rd, 2009 - Alpha 3 release
August 13th, 2009 - Alpha 4 release
September 3rd, 2009 - Alpha 5 release
September 17th, 2009 - Alpha 6 release
October 1st, 2009 - Beta release
October 22nd, 2009 - Release Candidate
October 29th, 2009 - Final release of Ubuntu 9.10

You might also want to see some screenshots with:

-What's New In Ubuntu Karmic Koala Alpha 5
-Karmic Koala Alpha 5 Installation Screenshots Tour

Download Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Alpha 6:

• http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Ubuntu Desktop, Server, and Netbook Remix)
  http://uec-images.ubuntu.com/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Ubuntu Server for UEC and EC2)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Ubuntu Desktop for ARM)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Kubuntu Desktop and Netbook)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Xubuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntustudio/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (UbuntuStudio)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/mythbuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Mythbuntu)
  http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/releases/karmic/alpha-6/ (Edubuntu)