Ubuntu Developers Plot Roadmap For Their New Software Store

Another Virtual Ubuntu Developer Summit is taking place this week and one of the interesting sessions was with regard to a road-map for Ubuntu's new "Software Store" for Ubuntu Phones/Tablets.

While much energy has been invested by Canonical in their Ubuntu Software Center (which, back in 2009 was known as the Ubuntu Software Store prior to being renamed due to controversy), Canonical seems to be mostly restarting from the ground-up on their new Software Store given their expanding mobile focus and pushing a new user experience (and developer interfaces) while also using their Click packages format.

Those interested in the full details on the Ubuntu Software Store road-map, the session notes are available via summit.ubuntu.com. Some of the interesting (but rather fundamental items) still on their work list for this new software area include:

- Automatic inspections and reviews.

- Auto-rejecting Non-Click based packages.

- Ratings and reviews support is finally coming in the next few weeks.

- Support for software purchasing within this new store is still being worked on.

- Support for reporting malicious applications.

- Navigation support for apps by category.

- Device profiles and capabilities.

- Support for scopes on the Software Store.

- A publicly viewable web-site for showing applications and support for installing applications remotely like Google Play.

With the existing Ubuntu Software Center already supporting much of this, it seems like a lot of duplicated effort -- and a repeat of five years ago -- now writing this new Software Store for Ubuntu Touch in the Click package world.

The original Ubuntu Software Store from 2009.

Now the Ubuntu Software Center as found today on the desktop version of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

Those curious about the road-map for the new Ubuntu Software Store can watch this vUDS session hangout.