Ubuntu 23.10’s new software app will demote DEBs

Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux distribution but it's increasingly positioning snaps as the preferred way to get' software. The aim is, eventually, to default to a full-snap experience on the desktop.

With that plan in mind you won't be mighty surprised (and if you are, welcome back to planet earth) to hear that showcasing DEB software willnotbe the primary aim of this newUbuntu Softwarereplacement.

Ubuntu's Director of Engineering says the new hub will be a snap-first app store" designed around snap metadata. If the same piece of software exists in the Ubuntu repositoryandthe snap store the new store will only make it possible to install the snap version.

This is not a surprising move, but one that is sure to alienate at least some - including me. Not that I'd use Ubuntu any time soon anyway, but forcing Snaps down my throat certainly isn't going to draw me back in.