The Roadmap
How is the project looking? What have we accomplished and what's ahead.
From Unity8 to Lomiri
On February 27th, 2020, the Unity8 project was officially renamed to Lomiri. This rebranding was done to create a distinct identity that didn't tie itself to any specific distribution, avoiding confusion with the earlier Unity project by Canonical and the Unity game engine and preparing the ground for wider adoption in other repositories.
Key Changes:
- unity8 shell → lomiri
- ubuntu-ui-toolkit → lomiri-ui-toolkit
- QML imports updated to import Lomiri.Components 1.3
- Migration of upstream repositories to GitLab
The Work Begins
Debian developer and contributor Mike Gabriel began the substantial task of packaging Lomiri for Debian, assisted by the UBports Foundation. The initial phase focused on handling numerous dependencies and core components.
Key Changes:
-
Systematic renaming of components from "Ubuntu" to "Lomiri"
-
Resolving complex dependencies and build issues
- Fixing hard-coded paths
- Converting services from Upstart to systemd
Intensive Packaging
A period of intense activity sees dozens of core components uploaded to Debian's unstable and experimental repositories. This includes foundational packages like the Mir display server, QtMir and the start of the Lomiri UI Toolkit (LUITK).
At the same time, Mike Gabriel publishes a detailed blog post summerizing the intensive packaging work, providing transparency for both Debian and UBports communities and outlining the next steps for the packaging roadmap.
Debian 12 Focus
Development continues on the upcoming Debian 12 "Bookworm" release, adding Content Hub and the Lomiri session package to Debian Sid. For the first time, it's possible to install Lomiri from Debian's repositories, select Lomiri from the login manager and successfully log into a functional Lomiri session.
Debian 12 Full Freeze
After this time, only Release-Critical bug fixes were accepted. New upstream versions or large feature uploads were rejected after this point. By this time, every Lomiri package was already present in the stable archive.
Debian 12 Bookworm Release
With the official release of Debian 12 "Bookworm", Lomiri packages are available in a Debian Stable release for the first time.
Lomiri available for Debian-based Distributions
Lomiri has been made available in several repositories in different distributions, allowing users to test Lomiri for themselves by using their distribution's package manager to install Lomiri.
Migration to Debian Testing
Version 0.5.0-1 of the lomiri package successfully migrated to Debian testing. preparing it for its eventual inclusion into Trixie.
Lomiri Accepted into Unstable
Version 0.5.0-3 of the lomiri package was accepted into Debian unstable, including numerous improvements for desktop experience and convergence features.
- Scrolling fixes in desktop/windowed mode
- Shortcut support
- Running on Mir 2.20.2
Debian 13 Full Freeze
After this time, only Release-Critical bug fixes were accepted. New upstream versions or large feature uploads were rejected after this point. All core Lomiri packages were already in Debian testing, ahead of the full freeze.
- 135 packages maintained
-
215 issues resolved
- Running on Mir 2.20.2
2025
Debian 13 "Trixie" Released
estimate
Full Desktop Readiness
Lomiri should be fully desktop ready, selectable from the Debian installer and reliable in daily workflows. Around this time, the migration Qt6 migration will be an ongoing process.
estimate
Enterprise Readiness.
At this point, Lomiri will have full support, running on tablets and laptops with full touchscreen capabilities.
From Unity8 to Lomiri
On February 27th, 2020, the Unity8 project was officially renamed to Lomiri. This rebranding was done to create a distinct identity that didn't tie itself to any specific distribution, avoiding confusion with the earlier Unity project by Canonical and the Unity game engine and preparing the ground for wider adoption in other repositories.
Key Changes:
- unity8 shell → lomiri
- ubuntu-ui-toolkit → lomiri-ui-toolkit
- QML imports updated to import Lomiri.Components 1.3
- Migration of upstream repositories to GitLab
The Work Begins
Debian developer and contributor Mike Gabriel began the substantial task of packaging Lomiri for Debian, assisted by the UBports Foundation. The initial phase focused on handling numerous dependencies and core components.
Key Changes:
-
Systematic renaming of components from "Ubuntu" to "Lomiri"
-
Resolving complex dependencies and build issues
- Fixing hard-coded paths
- Converting services from Upstart to systemd
Intensive Packaging
A period of intense activity sees dozens of core components uploaded to Debian's unstable and experimental repositories. This includes foundational packages like the Mir display server, QtMir and the start of the Lomiri UI Toolkit (LUITK).
At the same time, Mike Gabriel publishes a detailed blog post summerizing the intensive packaging work, providing transparency for both Debian and UBports communities and outlining the next steps for the packaging roadmap.
Debian 12 Focus
Development continues on the upcoming Debian 12 "Bookworm" release, adding Content Hub and the Lomiri session package to Debian Sid. For the first time, it's possible to install Lomiri from Debian's repositories, select Lomiri from the login manager and successfully log into a functional Lomiri session.
Debian 12 Full Freeze
After this time, only Release-Critical bug fixes were accepted. New upstream versions or large feature uploads were rejected after this point. By this time, every Lomiri package was already present in the stable archive.
Debian 12 Bookworm Release
With the official release of Debian 12 "Bookworm", Lomiri packages are available in a Debian Stable release for the first time.
Lomiri available for Debian-based Distributions
Lomiri has been made available in several repositories in different distributions, allowing users to test Lomiri for themselves by using their distribution's package manager to install Lomiri.
Migration to Debian Testing
Version 0.5.0-1 of the lomiri package successfully migrated to Debian testing. preparing it for its eventual inclusion into Trixie.
Lomiri Accepted into Unstable
Version 0.5.0-3 of the lomiri package was accepted into Debian unstable, including numerous improvements for desktop experience and convergence features.
- Scrolling fixes in desktop/windowed mode
- Shortcut support
- Running on Mir 2.20.2
Debian 13 Full Freeze
After this time, only Release-Critical bug fixes were accepted. New upstream versions or large feature uploads were rejected after this point. All core Lomiri packages were already in Debian testing, ahead of the full freeze.
- 135 packages maintained
-
215 issues resolved
- Running on Mir 2.20.2
2025
Debian 13 "Trixie" Released
estimate
Full Desktop Readiness
Lomiri should be fully desktop ready, selectable from the Debian installer and reliable in daily workflows. Around this time, the migration Qt6 migration will be an ongoing process.
estimate
Enterprise Readiness.
At this point, Lomiri will have full support, running on tablets and laptops with full touchscreen capabilities.
From Unity8 to Lomiri
On February 27th, 2020, the Unity8 project was officially renamed to Lomiri. This rebranding was done to create a distinct identity that didn't tie itself to any specific distribution, avoiding confusion with the earlier Unity project by Canonical and the Unity game engine and preparing the ground for wider adoption in other repositories.
Key Changes:
- unity8 shell → lomiri
- ubuntu-ui-toolkit → lomiri-ui-toolkit
- QML imports updated to import Lomiri.Components 1.3
- Migration of upstream repositories to GitLab
Ubuntu Touch OTA-12 - Lomiri Becomes the Default
OTA-12 formally introduces Lomiri as Ubuntu Touch's default shell, built upon Unity8 version 8.20. This update featured a revamped home screen with a simpler "Drawer" app list, updated Mir to version 1.2 and introduced a new color palette for better contrast.
Technical changes:
- Mir 1.2 display server
- Wayland client support
- Enhanced key interaction
UI Improvements:
- New "Drawer"
- Improved color palette
- Better visual accessibility
Ubuntu Touch OTA-14 - Early Enhancements
OTA-14 brought targeted Lomiri improvements including dark theme support and a new screenshot button in the power menu, useful for devices like the PinePhone without physical keyboard shortcuts.
Focus on Upstream Compatibility
Development shifted towards enhancing upstream compatibility and addressing the apps gap. The focus moved to aligning with known Linux components like BlueZ, NetworkManager and Ofono, instead of maintaining Ubuntu-specific forks. Also, work started for the eventual upgrade to Focal Fossa (20.04).
Continued Optimizations
Recent OTA's and the transition to Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa brought significant Lomiri optimizations. The OTA-3 Focal release included background location updates, keyboard layout additions and enhanced display support.
Noble Upgrade
A pre-release version of Ubuntu Touch 24.04 is released to developers and testers.
(estimated)
Official Release of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0
(estimated)
Morph Browser upgrade
The Qt6 upgrade gets kicked off by upgrading the QtWebEngine in Ubuntu Touch, getting the Morph Browser up-to-date and compatible with modern web standards.
(estimated)
Full Qt6 Migration
The internal codebase catches up to Debian upstream, finally modernizing Ubuntu Touch and getting ever closer to total convergence.
(estimated)
Upgrading to Mir 2.x
Internally, Lomiri on Ubuntu Touch still runs on an older version of Mir. This upgrade finally allows for Mir's new optimizations to be possible on Ubuntu Touch and gets the codebase ready to become one with Debian.
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