Ubuntu’s Linux Retail Strategy Gears Up for 2010

“Linux at retail has been a hit-and-miss proposition for more
than a decade. Consumers have been able to purchase some boxed
versions of Linux distros from off store shelves over the years,
though for the most part, that’s not how most have historically
acquired Linux.

“Ubuntu has been one such Linux vendor that has had its
distribution available at retail. In 2008, Ubuntu was sold for a
time at Best Buy locations. Much has changed since then — owing to
a persistently difficult economic climate and a revitalized
competitor in the form of Microsoft Windows 7. So what is Ubuntu’s
strategy for retail in 2010?

“In an interview with InternetNews.com, Jane Silber, the new CEO
of Ubuntu’s lead sponsor, Canonical, shed some light on her
company’s strategy to get Ubuntu into the mass consumer market.

“”On the consumer desktop side, it’s a combination of taking
some market share from Microsoft as opposed to changes within Linux
distributions. And in part, it’s about growing the overall size of
the pie,” Silber told InternetNews.com.

“Part of that plan includes driving consumer appeal by including
new consumer technology in Ubuntu. One of the new technologies set
to be included in the upcoming Ubuntu 10.04 “Lucid Lynx” release is
the Ubuntu One Music Store, which will enable users to purchase
music. Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx is currently scheduled for release
at the end of April.”

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