Mark Shuttelworth, the father of the Ubuntu distribution, has announced the next major update (9.04) to be christened Jaunty Jackalope. Expected to arrive in April next year, the development of the same will start from November of 2008, with notes on what needs to go in the new version gathered together come December, at the Ubuntu Developer Summit.

Ubuntu follows of cycle of a new release every six months; bundled with the latest version of key open-source applications.Named after lightening fast Jackalope, this version's major goal would be to reduce the boot-time and also tighten web integration with the desktop. Shuttleworth claims that Ubuntu 9.04 will be fast and will create a new experience through desktop applications that seamlessly integrate web technologies. Eventually, Ubuntu 9.04 will blur the lines between desktop applications and web services.

The Ubuntu development community is currently gearing up for Interpid Ibex -- Ubuntu 8.10 release scheduled next month. With improved support for netbooks and Mobile Internet Devices, Ubuntu 8.10 will serve as an incremental bump.

Shuttelworth claims that Ubuntu is ready to provide an experience comparable to operating systems from Microsoft and Apple. Ubuntu version for MIDs and netbooks is already in the works and expected soon.