After the new X-based graphical boot splash introduced a couple of days ago, Canonical unveiled today what it was only a mockup a few months ago, the Ubuntu Software Store (previously known as Ubuntu AppCenter), a piece of software that would unify all the existing package managers in the Ubuntu operating system. At the moment, the Ubuntu Software Store is not installed by default in the current development release of the upcoming Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) distribution, but it can be easily installed by searching "software-store" in Synaptic.

The goal of the new Ubuntu Software Store application is to replace many system-administration programs, such as Synaptic Package Manager, Add/Remove, GDebi, Computer Janitor and even the popular Update Manager tool, in order to offer to both the new and experienced Ubuntu users an easier and more intuitive way to search, install, update or remove applications.

However, even if the Ubuntu Software Store will be available in Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala), it will NOT replace the aforementioned applications, as the users are still used to them and because the Ubuntu Software Store is still in development! Below, you can see a screenshot tour of Ubuntu Software Store, showing menu entries, navigation, search capabilities, and more...

Even if, at the moment, you can only search, install and remove applications, in the near future, Ubuntu Software Store will have the following features:

· search software; · search software sources; · retrieve information about software; · install software; · software overviews; · software screenshots; · user reviews; · user ratings; · user friendly; · Ubuntu upgrades; · Ubuntu updates; · buy software; · install Windows applications; · install fonts; · install screensavers.

...and many more!

In conclusion, we, here at the Softpedia Labs, think that Ubuntu Software Store is and will be a great piece of software for the future of the Ubuntu operating system. Having a single piece of software for all the package management tasks, and not four or five different applications, like we have now, is more than welcome and it will bring lots of new users to the open-source world!