Short Bytes: Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus Beta 1 release is finally here. If you’re interested, you can go ahead and download the ISO images of the participating flavors, which are, Lubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu Kylin, and Ubuntu Studio. Powered by Linux kernel 4.10, these releases feature the latest stable versions of their respective desktop environments. This release will be followed by the Final Beta release on March 23 and final release on April 13.

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buntu 17.04 is scheduled to release in April. Before that, official Ubuntu derivatives (or flavors) have participated in the first beta release. As a result, Ubuntu 17.04 Zesty Zapus Beta 1 has landed and it’s available for testing.

On a side note, last year in December, I wrote about the next Ubuntu release, i.e., Ubuntu 17.04, its release schedule, expected features, etc. In case you missed that, you can read it here. Also, in the upcoming days, I’ll be updating that article with more updates and new features.

Coming back to the current Ubuntu 17.01 Beta 1 release, the favors participating in the release are Lubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu GNOME, Ubuntu Kylin, and Ubuntu Studio. Ubuntu Unity and Ubuntu MATE hasn’t participated in this release. It should be noted that it’s the first beta release of Ubuntu Budgie since it became an official Ubuntu flavor.

Read ahead to find the download links and brief information regarding the Beta 1 releases of these flavors. The Beta 1 is based on Linux kernel 4.10.

Ubuntu GNOME 17.04 Beta 1 features and download:

Based on GNOME 3.24 Beta

Updated GNOME Software, Calendar, other apps

New Night Light feature

Flatpack 0.8

Files app Nautilus at version 3.20

Instant messaging app Empathy removed

New Characters map utility installed by default

Updated set of packages

Download Ubuntu GNOME 17.04 Beta 1

Ubuntu Budgie 17.04 Beta 1 features and download:

Latest budgie-desktop stable release v10.2.9.

TK+3.24 applications (in beta) with GTK+3.24 window manager

Budgie-welcome app with browser ballot screen

AppIndicator support is now default

Terminix is the default terminal

This snapshot is based on Linux v4.9 kernel.

Download Ubuntu Budgie 17.04 Beta 1

Kubuntu 17.04 Beta 1 features and download:

KDE Plasma 5.8 LTS desktop environment

KDE Applications 16.12.1

Multiple improvements in KDE applications

Download Kubuntu 17.04 Beta 1

Find the release notes and download links of other flavors here:

As these releases are development versions, I won’t advise you to install them on your primary computer. Feel free to download them and perform testing on secondary machines or VMs.

Did you find this article helpful? Which Ubuntu flavor do you prefer? Don’t forget to share your views with us.