What is in a name? :) I am just kidding! Linspire will still be Linspire but with a new Ubuntu core rather than Debian. With this new development along with Linspire's recent Click-N-Run announcement, Linux on the desktop might be huge this year compared to previous years.
ubuntu has the advantage of a large community with fast turn-around time as far as development is concerned. Linspire has the "connect" with third-party commercial products for Linux. Put them together and you will get a full-blown, open platform with full third-party commercial software support via an easy to install CNR service. Coolness!