- KDE SC 4.8 rebase: Kubuntu will introduce the latest from KDE, it´s SC 4.8 release, most probably 4.8.1. This in itself already means tons of new features and enhancements, not only from the previous KDE SC 4.7 series, but also from KDE SC 4.8.0. A recent post in Planet KDE mentions 50 bug fixes around KDE PIM that will make into 4.8.1. Similarly, other post lists a wide number of Dolphin bugs that are gone for good. This is awesome news, because KDE SC 4.8.0 is the most stable .0 KDE release I have tried to date, so further stability can only enhance an already great experience.
- Telepathy KDE: The latest KDE IM client will become default in Kubuntu 12.04, meaning Kopete will likely be left out. This is a good way to help Telepathy get the testing it needs to become the great IM client KDE deserves. EDIT (06/04/2012): According to Dave Edmunson, a last minute decision was made to stick to Kopete until KDE Telepathy is a bit more mature. I believe Kubuntu 12.10 will most probably default to KDE Telepathy.
- Amarok 2.5: The latest from Amarok, which incorporates a wide range of exciting new features, will also be part of the default Kubuntu install in about 2 months.
- Plasma active: Plasma Active is now available to install from the archive for tech preview. Work is ongoing around a Kubuntu Active remix.
- Rekonq and OwnClowd updates: Rekonq 0.9 is already available and will be once again the default web browser. I hope the new features and bug fixes make it a good enough alternative, so I don´t have to install other more popular names. OwnClowd 3 lands in Kubuntu 12.04, with a bunch of awesome features. Check it out!
- Calligra: In a move that I hope most KDE distros follow, Precise Pangolin will default to Calligra as its de facto Office suite. It is a brave decision, for certain elements in Calligra are still under heavy development and/or polishing, but probably the best way to get it the amount of testing it requires to continue improving.
- Muon 1.3: The great Muon Software and Package manager get fixes, enhancements and a facelift.
- Oxygen-GTK 3: GTK 3 apps will now look as native as possible under Kubuntu.
Kubuntu 12.04 new features
The Kubuntu 12.04 Beta 1 release announcement is still hot from the oven, and it gives both a glimpse about what we should expect from this upcoming release, as well as about the Kubuntu future itself. Jonathan Ridell posted: "...And for anyone worried about the future of Kubuntu, Kubuntu 12.04 to be Supported for 5 Years reaffirms that we will be treating 12.04 like any other LTS, only 2 years longer. It also affirms that we will be continuing Kubuntu in the same way I have run it for the last 7 years, as a successful community made Ubuntu flavour." This comment goes on top of many others from the Kubuntu community to clarify that the project is not struggling and that no concerns appear in the near future. Great news! PRECISE FEATURES Kubuntu 12.04, just like its older brother, was code-named "Precise Pangolin", kind of metaphorically conveying the fact that most efforts will go into stability and precision, not wild or revolutionary features. I am particularly excited about this, because both Ubuntu (specially around the Unity area) and Kubuntu (nothing as big as Unity, but some areas could use some bug fixing) will benefit from this approach. In fact, I think all Open Source projects should slow down every once in a while to dedicate one or two release cycles to stability and bug fixing. Does this mean that this release is void of exciting features, plain boring? Not at all, there is plenty of stuff to look for. Here´s a brief summary:
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