Ubuntu 16.10 Isn't Going To Use Mir / Unity 8 By Default

Well, another setback for Unity 8 and Mir. Kicking off the Ubuntu Online Summit for Ubuntu 16.10, it's been confirmed that the Unity 8 desktop and Mir display server will not be the default for the desktop spin.

Similar to the current situation with existing Ubuntu releases, Unity 8 and Mir will be available as an opt-in feature for users wanting to upgrade their desktop, but Unity 7 and the faithful X.Org Server is planned to be the default for Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak.

Unity 8 has been available for testing since Ubuntu 13.10 and the plan was to transition to Unity 8 for Ubuntu 16.04 but that didn't happen after way back around its announcement there was even talk of it in Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. There was some thinking it could premiere in Ubuntu 16.10 since it's the first post-LTS release, but now the desktop team has ruled it out as the default, which is also a blow to Ubuntu's convergence vision.

Now we'll potentially see Unity 8 and their Mir display server officially on the Ubuntu desktop in 2017. Those wishing to follow other Ubuntu 16.10 news today can do so via summit.ubuntu.com.