Reportedly because of (a) diverging visions (like global menus), (b) performance and (c) approaches (Compiz over Mutter, say, for windows management), Canonical is going to dump Gnome as its default desktop interface.

Instead it's going to go with Unity, its home-grown, modern, Gnome-derived, Canonical-distinct netbook UI, in the 11.04 release of Ubuntu dubbed Natty Narwhal due out next April.

At least that's the "one interface is enough" game plan, presumably a plan that includes an eventual Ubuntu-on-a-tablet.

It'll take some work, like introducing the thing to Canonical's all-important new Utouch multi-touch widgetry, since netbooks are limited.

The company hopes the move will translate into more OEM sales and broader adoption despite the predictable caterwauling.

Canonical has been detaching from Gnome for a while - it's not a big contributor - but Gnome will still be its framework and existing Gnome and KDE application should still work.