Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) BETA 2 is to be released on March 29th, 2012.

• Download Ubuntu 12.04 BETA 1 http://releases.ubuntu.com/precise/

• The first beta version that will become Ubuntu 12.04 LTS with codename "precise pangolin”, has been released by Ubuntu Development Team. the stable version will be released at the end of April 2012.

  I have listed down some new features in 12.04 which I thought would be interesting.

  • A Fresh Kernel - Finally, upgrading from the second alpha release of Precise Pangolin, this new beta version includes the 3.2.0-17.27 Ubuntu kernel, which is based on version 3.2.6 of the upstream stable Linux kernel.
   
  • Privacy Settings -Although this is not a huge breakthrough of system security, but will help improve account privacy. In earlier searches, every file and folder appears in desktop search, so if anyone has access to your account they can easily browser your personal content.But in 12.04 we can specify what files & folders would not be included in a search, so that they will remain private.
  
  
  • Ubuntu Software Center gained software recommendations. 
  
   
  
  
  • Goodbye Banshee, Welcome Back Rhythm box!  - Rhythmbox has just replaced Banshee in Ubuntu 12.04.                                                                                                                                                                                   
  • The HUD   - HUD means 'Head-Up-Dispaly', a new way to quickly search and access any desktop application’s and indicator’s menu.This is the Ubuntu 12.04 prime feature. Just hit the Alt key to reveal it.                                                                                                                                                                           
  • Brand New Video Lense -  When you open up the Unity Dash you can select from specific Lenses, specifying what you want to view. Previous iterations of Unity already included an Audio Lens, and now Video Lens have been added to that ever-expanding Dash. This new Lens will allow you to easily search Youtube, Amazon, Shows, ABC iView, Sci-Fi London, TED Talks, and more stuff  online.                      
                                                     
  
  Ubuntu is starting to make it’s desktop hard to resist. It won’t be long before Ubuntu creates the right mixture of features and performance to make their distribution irresistible to users.