The KDE Project has released the first beta release of KDE 4.1. The aim is to find a replacement for the successful KDE 3.

KDE 4.1 beta 1 is available as binary. It has an expanded desktop shell functionality and configurability, a Personal Information Management suite and more ported applications.

It will also include Plasma, which is a system that creates the menus, panels and desktop that make up a desktop. It will support multiple and resizeable panels allowing users to compose their desktop. The application launcher menu, Kickoff, has been comprehensively polished with a new look.

The full version is expected to be available by July.