Ubuntu should maintain its current setup with Gnome, as Unity DE isn't a standard distribution for this system.
Ubuntu should maintain its current setup with Gnome, as Unity DE isn't a standard distribution for this system.
Unity is based on Gnome, but it feels more like a modified version with some add-ons rather than a completely different system. It’s puzzling why Gnome is considered bloated—just installing the base version gives you a DE and almost everything else. All the extra features are in a separate group, letting users skip most of them. I still don’t get how Gnome Settings ties so closely to Gnome Cheese. If Ubuntu’s default software list is full of unnecessary stuff, that’s an issue for Ubuntu itself. I noticed Gnome lets you choose to ignore most of its optional features if you prefer.
Canonical dropped the Unity Project after letting go of Ubuntu Mobile. Both initiatives now receive only basic support from UBPorts. Canonical isn’t involved in Unity 8’s current or upcoming updates, and it was still considered unstable at the time. If you’re using an older Ubuntu version that ran Unity (GTK) from 10.10 until 2017, Unity 8 (QT) never reached a stable version. Switching back to GNOME was a cost-effective decision aimed at improving Canonical’s image for investors. GNOME meets most needs and stays leaner than KDE, making it easier to customize and maintain. Since GNOME is well-supported by RedHat and many other distributions, it’s more sensible to continue with it rather than reviving Unity.
Unity originated from Gnome and has since been left behind, reflecting issues that may exist in Gnome as well.
Unity 8 was developed from scratch with QT at the end. It offered a compelling experience, particularly with its aim for a unified desktop across various devices—similar to how Windows sought consistency in Windows 8. The ability to switch seamlessly between Desktop, Tablet, Phone, and even TV within the same environment without losing functionality was impressive. Ubuntu Touch from UBPorts likely relies on Unity 8, though it never reached a stable official release.
I understand, it seems to be about the existence of Unity continuing in some form. If it were revived, I’d expect it to build on Unity 8 since that’s where development paused. The challenges GNOME faces might also appear in Unity unless it comes back from Unity 7. I’m skeptical that any future release will make significant strides, and it seems unlikely Canonical would revisit it.
Currently it's quite problematic, but they aim to match Unity 7's capabilities and enhance it. After further research, it seems they're overhauling much of the underlying system and moving away from mutter. So is it still Unity?
I relied on Gnome for many years and I’d say I never really used Unity at all. I believed it was just an Ubuntu 18.04 update (kind of) and it didn’t even feel like a new version. I think I installed it when I switched to Ubuntu 20.04, if Canonical supported it and left Gnome behind—just like the PopOS team did—that would be progress for Ubuntu amidst all the criticism. (My view)