Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.04 To Get A 2D EFL Based Launcher

In an attempt to get Ubuntu working on any ARM based device (as long as there is hardware available), Ubuntu Netbook Edition (UNE) 10.04 will ship with a new 2D launcher which is a direct clone of the UI found in the Ubuntu 9.10 Netbook Remix, although this one is based on EFL (Enlightenment Foundation Libraries) meaning that its fast on non-accelerated platforms.

According the the Ubuntu mailing list, the new EFL Netbook Launcher will only be used when 3D acceleration will not be detected.


Here is a video with EFL Netbook Launcher in action (recorded in VirtualBox):

The 2D launcher is that isn't not restricted to ARM hardware only and you can already install it if you are using Ubuntu Lucid, by using the following command (make sure you have the universe repository enabled):

sudo apt-get install netbook-launcher-efl 

Then log out and log back in.

If you are not using Ubuntu Lucid and want to try EFL Netbook Launcher, get the source code from Launchpad.


The new UNE EFL Launcher is also themable (with the default theme residing in /usr/share/netbook-launcher-efl/data/themes/default.edj) using the edje declarative layout format.


More info @ linuxuk.org