Ubuntu's next version, code-named Maverick Meerkat, is slated for the November release. Mark Shuttleworth once again emphasized the ongoing work on improving the art-work of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is planning to add a new sound indicator to enhance the 'music' experience under Ubuntu. Mark Shuttleworth is toying with the artwork of the indicator.
 
In a blog post, Mark writes, "In Maverick we’re adding the new Ayatana indicator for sound, Conor Curran’s very classy implementation of MPT’s very classy spec. It’s a Category Indicator, like the messaging menu, so it allows apps to embed themselves into it in a standard and appropriate way. You can have multiple players represented there, and control them directly from the menu, without needing a custom AppIndicator or windows open for the player(s). The integration with Rhythmbox and, via the MPRIS dbus API, several other players is coming along steadily."
 
Mark is open to suggestions about the design of the box. The position of the album art, and track/album/artist data is overlapping each other thus making it look aesthetically unpleasing.
 
Here is the mock-up Mark is playing with. Feel free to suggest him design changes :-)