During the recent Ubuntu Summit, Jon Seager, the Vice President of Engineering at Canonical, provided insights into the company”s vision for the future of Ubuntu and its Core Desktop initiative. This exclusive discussion highlighted the ongoing developments in immutable distributions and Snap technology.
Seager expressed his belief that the default version of Ubuntu will eventually transition to a Core Desktop model. Although he could not specify a timeline, he indicated that this shift would not occur in the upcoming releases, specifically 26.04 or even 28.04. Instead, he anticipates a timeline of five to ten years for this evolution. Users will still have the option to download the traditional “Ubuntu classic” version, while the primary version may adopt the Core image format.
Reflecting on the current landscape of immutable Linux, Seager noted the absence of a truly immutable general-purpose operating system, presenting what he termed “The Immutable Linux Paradox.” He explained that while technologies like NixOS and Snap share similarities in package management, significant challenges remain in achieving a fully functional Core Desktop.
One of the critical areas of focus for Canonical is improving user experience with Snap applications, particularly through a new permissions prompting feature. This functionality aims to provide users with more control over application permissions, akin to systems used in mobile platforms like iOS and Android. By allowing users to make informed decisions about granting access to features like the camera, Seager believes this will enhance the usability of Snap applications on the desktop.
Seager acknowledged the mixed experiences users have encountered with Snap applications, particularly regarding security confinement, which sometimes leads to application failures. He emphasized that the upcoming changes in permissions handling are essential for the successful implementation of Core Desktop since this version will not support unconfined Snap applications.
The discussion also touched on Full Disk Encryption (FDE) using TPM technology. Seager explained that Canonical is taking a hybrid approach to ensure compatibility with both Core Desktop and traditional Ubuntu. He mentioned plans for a dedicated team to advance Core Desktop after the release of 26.04, with a commitment to building a robust desktop environment for the next two decades.
Seager shared the ambitious goal of shipping Pipewire as a Snap in the upcoming release, despite concerns that users might remove Snap and lose sound capabilities. He highlighted Pipewire”s ability to improve support for various peripherals and its seamless integration with Snap”s management of systemd units.
Regarding user preferences, Seager acknowledged that some users have opted for Flatpak over Snap, especially after experiencing difficulties with Flatpak installations following the release of version 25.10. He clarified that these issues arose from enhancements in AppArmor profiles, not from any intentional exclusion of Flatpak support. Canonical is now implementing tests to monitor Flatpak functionality to avoid future disruptions.
Seager addressed the perception that Snap is a closed system compared to the open nature of Flatpak, reiterating that the challenge of managing multiple software repositories can lead to security risks. He compared this model to proprietary app stores, emphasizing the importance of a single, vetted source for software distribution.
Lastly, Seager expressed confidence in Canonical”s ability to deliver a comprehensive stack for data centers, integrating various technologies such as MaaS, OpenStack, and Kubernetes. He noted that aligning these technologies presents a significant challenge but offers a remarkable opportunity for seamless integration.
Seager concluded by reaffirming Canonical”s commitment to enhancing user experience and software reliability, which he believes is crucial for the future of Ubuntu.
