Canonical today announced the release of Ubuntu a fast-growing open-source operating system on April 28, 2011 for public download.  Ubuntu 11.04 stands out from its competitors as a genuine free alternative to Windows, allowing users to personalise their PC with free and paid apps in a way that’s proven hugely popular in the smartphone and tablet market.

“This release breaks new ground for Ubuntu by offering users a PC experience that is stylish and efficient” said Jane Silber, CEO of Canonical.  “With this release Ubuntu will recruit an entirely new wave of users to free software. Ubuntu 11.04 is a high watermark for what has been achieved with open-source technologies for the everyday computer user.”

Thanks to the efforts of Debian Localisation teams and Ubuntu localisation teams, Ubuntu 11.04 is released with boot time locale support for Telugu and Kannada. This means that Ubuntu now supports 10 Indian languages - two more than the previous release; Bengali; English; Gujarati; Hindi; Kannada; Malayalam; Marathi; Nepali; Tamil; Telugu. The availability of language at the time of boot will help the everyday user start using Ubuntu without knowledge of English.

"As several graphical user interfaces and applications like Firefox and Libreoffice that are shipped with Ubuntu are already available in local languages and several portals providing information in local languages, this will help people including school students and elders start using computers in their native languages" said Arjuna Rao Chavala, a Ubuntu Telugu Localisation Coordinator.

In addition, Ubuntu is the first operating system support the Rupee Symbol, which has recently been approved by the India government to be used in PC. For the first time ever, it will be possible to test-drive Ubuntu online using only your browser. Visitors to Ubuntu.com will be able to access a complete version of the latest product without having to download anything. All that is required is an Internet connection and an open mind.

Ubuntu 11.04 will be available for download from April 28th at www.ubuntu.com

Ubuntu One is available today at one.ubuntu.com and apps are available from the Android Marketplace and iTunes AppStore. Ubuntu Software Centre is available to Ubuntu users in the launcher or under the Applications menu.