The new wallpaper features a gradient background of purple and orange, with a vector geometric stingray in the center. Canonical has provided both light and dark versions of the visual theme to ensure seamless switching based on the system's appearance settings.
In addition to the official default, Ubuntu 26.10 will come pre-installed with winning entries from a community wallpaper contest. These include abstract digital art, high-definition photography, and creative interpretations of the mascot.
The release is expected to include the Linux 7.x series kernel and a new GNOME desktop environment. The system will transition to the dbus-broker message bus architecture, replacing the dbus-daemon, and continue the process of rewriting core system tools in Rust.
Canonical has scheduled the beta image for public download in late September. The final stable version of Ubuntu 26.10 is planned for global release on October 15, 2026.