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Unity (user interface)

Unity
Unity Logo
Ubuntu 16.04 Desktop.png
Unity 7.4, with the launcher displayed, running on Ubuntu 16.04.
Developer(s) Canonical Ltd., The Ayatana Project contributors
Initial release 9 June 2010; 6 years ago (2010-06-09)
Stable release
7.5 / 25 May 2016; 8 months ago (2016-05-25)
Repository code.launchpad.net/unity
Development status Current
Written in Unity 2D: C++, JavaScript, QML
2.07.4: C, C++, Python, Vala
8: C++ and QML
Operating system Ubuntu Desktop
Ubuntu TV
Ubuntu Touch
Type
License GNU GPL v3, GNU LGPL v3
Website unity.ubuntu.com
launchpad.net/unity

Unity is a graphical shell for the GNOME desktop environment developed by Canonical Ltd. for its Ubuntu operating system. Unity debuted in the netbook edition of Ubuntu 10.10. It was initially designed to make more efficient use of space given the limited screen size of netbooks, including, for example, a vertical application switcher called the launcher, and a space-saving horizontal multipurpose top menu bar.

Unlike GNOME, KDE Software Compilation, Xfce, or LXDE, Unity is not a collection of applications but is designed to use existing programs.

Unity is part of the Ayatana project, an initiative with the stated intention of improving the user experience within Ubuntu. In addition to Unity, there are Application Indicators and other projects such as MeMenu, the notification system and the application NotifyOSD gathered.

The Unity user interface consists of several components:

The following lenses and scopes are installed by default:

Ubuntu TV, running a Unity variant, was introduced at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. Created for SmartTVs, Ubuntu TV provides access to popular Internet services and stream content to mobile devices running Android, iOS and Ubuntu.

On 2 January 2013, Canonical announced a smartphone variant of Unity running on the Mir display server.

Initially Canonical maintained two discrete versions of Unity, which were visually almost indistinguishable but technically different.


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