Open source software, Ubuntu is working on a variant OS suitable for Chinese desktop users only. The firm aims to come up with a desktop user interface localized in Chinese and installing common software that Chinese users commonly use by default.
According to the firm, “The objective of the UbuntuKylin project is to create a variant of Ubuntu that is more suitable for Chinese users. We are committed to provide you with a delicate, thoughtful and fully customized Chinese user experience out-of-the-box.”
The team will be managed by Jack Yu, Anthony Wong, Weihua Zhang, Jun Ma and Zhengpeng Hou.
The firm says UbuntuKylin 13.04, will have Online Music Search on Dash, by aggregating data from music websites in China, to help users find the latest, most hot Chinese pop songs. Chinese Calendar, the traditional lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar to facilitate inquiries holidays, in line with Chinese using habit. The Weather Indicator from China meterological administration. The OS will also have the Chinese Input Method.
Among the features to be provided in UbuntuKylin 13.10 or future versions, a System Assistant, to provide a simple but complete GUI way for users to view and manage their systems. Easy photo handling for nonprofessionals, Taobao Search on Dash, Baidu Map on Dash, Online payment assistant Addin for Chinese Banks, Realtime information of flights and trains in China.
The Open Source is used by over 20 million users worldwide everyday on desktop. Recently the firm introduced a mobile OS which will be launched on phones before the end of the year.