They expect to have the latest GNOME but the release date of GNOME 2.3/3
could be a problem since Ubuntu moved up its release date (and KDE 4.5 for
Kubuntu). The GNOME shell should be included with 10.10. It will have kernel
2.6.34.x. The UNE (netbook) version will have Chromium as its default
browser; GNOME version will still have Firefox, but KDE may have Rekonq
instead of Konqueror. F-Spot is to be replaced by Shotwell. There is some
talk of including Midori (lightweight Webkit browser written in C) as well
as or instead of Chromium, if it does not pan out. It all depends on how
Chromium tests. You may see support for Brtfs and perhaps even see it as the
default file system, replacing ext4. You may also see the much talked about
Windicators making their debut on the vacated right side of the window bar.
There is also talk of full setting backups to Ubuntu One. Look for some
subtle theme changes including new icons and darkening the orange.

I personally would like to see Mono removed to make room for more
applications. Tomboy and Gbrainy are the only two Mono apps and not worth
the wasted space since Tomboy is mostly used by power users who can easily
install it. Also Gnote is Mono free and a drop in replacement for Tomboy, as
that is what it was forked from.

I would also like to see Ubuntu implement delta packages like Fedora's
Presto in which only packages changes are downloaded which would save lots
of bandwidth and save much time. This is one way that Fedora is leading the
pack and with so much focus on green initiatives, it makes much sense.

So far the Alpha 1 does not look much different from 10.04, but that should
change with Alpha 2.

My prediction is that Ubuntu users will baulk at GNOME 3. My experience is
that they are more set in their ways than KDE users and many of them refused
to accept KDE 4 and stuck with KDE 3.5 as long as they could. GNOME 3 is a
radical departure from current GNOME. See:
www.workswithu.com/.../