Ubuntu Claims 12 Million Users as Lucid Linux Desktop Nears - page 2

12 Million Users, Aubergine, Synchronization

Ubuntu One debuted in the 9.10 Karmic Koala release last year and provides users with 2 GB of free backup storage and cloud synchronization of files and contacts.

"There are multiple upgrades in Ubuntu One including support for bookmark syncing [and] improvements to Tomboy file syncing, and contacts can be synced from the Evolution mail clients," Kenyon said. "So there are a whole host of new hooks and integrations in 10.04 and there is improvement on the interface as well."

Canonical is also working on a mobile syncing service that will provide synchronization capabilities for Ubuntu users with smartphones.

Another key new service in Ubuntu One is the inclusion of an online music store. Kenyon noted that all of the music is being made available in the MP3 format and will be free of DRM , meaning that users will be able transfer their music to difference devices without it being restricted. The Ubuntu One Music Store will have the potential to generate revenues for Canonical as well: Kenyon said that the company will take a percentage of revenue on each sale.

There are still three weeks to go until Lucid is officially released, but as far as Canonical is concerned, it's so far, so good.

"This has been pretty rock-solid and there are always things that will be fixed in the last release candidate and some fixes that go out after the final release," Kenyon said. "Everyone here is feeling very confident about the quality and level of polish on this and that it's absolutely on track to go out on time on the 29th of April."

Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.