Ubuntu 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" is released. As with all LTS (long-term support) releases, this one is expected to be the most stable and reliable of them all. But we will find more about that in the review later. Let's discuss the top apps you could install after downloading and installing the latest Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

10 Ubuntu Apps You Must Try after installing 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" 

The apps you use in your desktop vary from user to user. So take this list with a pinch of salt. I have tried to make it as broad based as possible, but they are still very much based on my use-case and might be biased. Let's take a look at the apps that I use the most, my personal favourites for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

My Favourite Ubuntu Apps for 16.04 LTS

Unity Tweak Tool, in my opinion, is an absolute must-have for new and experienced users alike. The new updated Unity Tweak Tool brings in a lot of new features including the ability to move the Unity launcher to the bottom. You can read more on that here. The latest version is downloadable from Ubuntu Software Center.

MPV Media Player is brilliant. Ever since I discovered MPV, I've completely stopped using VLC, SMPlayer and the likes for my multimedia needs. MPV keeps its light-weight profile without compromising much on functionality. Still no match for VLC in terms of features though, half of which you will never use anyway.

GPMDP for Ubuntu: Since I use Google Play Music a lot, GPMDP has become my go-to music streaming app for Ubuntu for a while now. For users looking for a more generic music streamer, try Nuvola. GPMDP can be downloaded from here. See also, our review of GPMDP with installation instructions.

Chrome/Chromium: Who wants Chrome when you have Firefox right? Wrong. I believe Chrome has its advantages too. After all, Chrome is now regarded as the most popular web browser across platforms. Firefox, in my opinion, still lags Chrome in some areas. Inbuilt language translation, for example, has proved very useful to me at least on several occasions. But of course Firefox has all the extensions you'll would ever need. For those still interested in Chrome, the only choice you have to make is between Chromium (the one without Google branding, available in Software Center) and the official Google Chrome for Linux (64-bit only).

Steam: Do you know that the number of Steam titles for Linux is now more than 1500 and counting? The list include major titles such as Left 4 Dead 2, Half Life 1 & 2, Counter Strike, Team Fortress 2, Portal 2, Witcher 2, Football Manager, Shank 2, Dota 2, Don't Starve, among others. The biggest complaint people had for Linux was the non-availability of good quality games. Steam's support for Linux platform is surely helping. Download Steam.

Youtube-dl: This one is a personal favourite of mine. Youtube-dl is a small commandline based tool that lets you download your favorite videos from the web (supports YouTube and many other popular video streaming sites). If all you require is to download the best quality version of a particular video, open up the Terminal and type "youtube-dl<space><link to the video>". The app is downloadable from Ubuntu Software Center. And if you don't like CLI much, these 5 apps with fancier looks and features might help.

Synergy lets you share your keyboard and mouse across multiple devices and platforms. And it works like magic. More about Synergy here. Unlike earlier though, Synergy is a paid app now, costing $10 for a lifetime license. Strongly recommend Synergy for those running multiple machines simultaneously. BUY.

Synapse: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and its default Unity launcher is impressive, but Synapse is just faster. I mostly use Synapse nowadays, but Unity launcher has improved quite a bit over the years. The difference in responsiveness is not as much pronounced as it used to be. It's a matter of personal preference now.

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:synapse-core/testing
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install synapse

After executing the above commands in the Terminal, launch Synapse from the default Ubuntu launcher and it will reside in your system-tray afterwards. Just hit CTRL+Space to launch Synapse.

Shutter: A clever little screenshot tool that can handle some light editing as well. Has proved very useful over the years. Shutter is available within the default repositories. CLICK HERE.

Skype: Doesn't require much introduction, one of the most popular Internet based video and voice call service provider which was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for quite a lot of money. Even though it works okay, their support for Linux platform has remained poor ever since the acquisition. Updates are too few when compared to other supported platforms. So stay away if you have a choice. Download Skype for Linux.

For more task-specific, professional-grade apps, see our following lists:

• Top 5 video editors for Ubuntu/Linux
• 6 most good-looking music players for Linux (see the user-recommendations too)
• 8 best CAD Apps for Linux [Updated]
• Professional grade music productions tools for Ubuntu

[Ubuntu App Store image via FS Icons Ubuntu, and thanks for reading!]

Unity Tweak Tool has remained one of our top recommended apps for newbie Ubuntu users for a while. And they keeps on adding new features and tweaks. Lately, I found out that there is an option within Unity Tweak Tool for moving the default Launcher to the bottom in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

Unity Tweak Tool Keeps Getting Better

Unity Tweak Tool has a number of cool tweaks up its sleeves for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. And this ability to move the Unity launcher to the bottom is perhaps the most useful. Many people prefer the old school way of docks, in the bottom. And if you have Unity Tweak Tool, its just a click away.

Like what you see here? If you are using Ubuntu 16,04 LTS, grab the latest Unity Tweak Tool from Ubuntu Software Center. No need for PPAs. Another cool utility is the "minimize on click" ability, which can be easily turned on with Unity Tweak Tool. Download directly from Ubuntu Software Center using the link below.

Anyone here remember the massive community back clash when Unity was first introduced? A lot of that had to do with the replacement of GNOME2's rather straight forward menu system with a more modern Unity Launcher that we see today. ClassicMenu Indicator is a small plugin that could bring back some of that old glory.

ClassicMenu Indicator for Ubuntu 16.04

Every now and then, you stumble upon interesting little applications in Ubuntu Software Center. ClassicMenu Indicator is a lesser known plugin which I'm sure a lot of people here will appreciate. ClassicMenu Indicator was featured in USC's Editor's Pick category.  

As you can see, USC has went through some serious make-over in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS about which you can read here in detail. ClassicMenu Indicator lets you experience some of that old school awesomeness of GNOME Classic in your brand new Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (works on previous releases as well). ClassicMenu Indicator sits on the top menu as an indicator applet and houses GNOME2's classic menu system. Installation is just a click away. 

Finally! Ubuntu Software Center (USC) has always been one of *the* most bloated of all default Ubuntu apps, I couldn't even remember the last time I used USC for installing something in my desktop. But it looks like Canonical has heard us after all. Ubuntu 16.04 LTS comes with a thoroughly reworked Ubuntu Software Center. EDIT: Apparently, this is NOT the reworked Ubuntu Software Center, but just the new GNOME Software Center. I was so excited to see the "new" Software Center in 16.04 that I didn't even check it twice (haven't seen a GNOME desktop in ages either). Canonical completely scrapped the Ubuntu Software Center it seems (not that I complain).

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS: Ubuntu Software Center receives major Upgrades !

A long time ago, we did a comprehensive analysis on what needs to be done to improve the Ubuntu Software Center as the incumbent is riddled with all sorts of problems. Nothing much happened for many releases after. But USC in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS is going to be very different.

The new USC has become a lot cleaner, and now acquires a very uncluttered layout. But that's not all, the new Software Center is MUCH snappier as well. The response time has improved by a whole lot which is impressive.

Since the 'Categories' section has been moved towards the bottom, we have a much cleaner layout. The whole thing became a zillion times easier to navigate because of this.

The upper section has 3 tabs, one each of All, Installed and Updates available for the apps. When compared to this, the earlier layout was an absolute nightmare. Take a look.

The categories itself has been further cleaned up. Earlier, the USC used to arrange items in a giant ugly list format. The new tiles/grid format though is intuitive and looks much better.

What's not cool? 
A lot of things have changed, but that does not mean Ubuntu Software Center is now free of problems. In fact, most of the visual changes are only skin deep. For instance, once you click on an app, the layout is reminiscient of the old USC, except for the fact that the whole text is aligned to the middle now (see below).

And as we complained in our earlier report, there are still no app screenshots or a related apps section. But one thing is sure, the new USC is incredibly more responsive. It feels feather light and that is going to do a world of good for new Ubuntu users who are probably the primary target of latest Software Center improvements.