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Ubuntu Mantic Minataur features a desktop that differs only slightly from previous versions. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
An Ubuntu fan for a very long time, even if my favorite distribution is Ubuntu Budgie, I have great respect for the Canonical distribution, which I recommend without problem to all users, whatever their level.
Ubuntu has accustomed us to evolving in small steps, with fairly minimal releases. But, if their changes are not spectacular, the versions are certainly reliable. So when I downloaded Ubuntu 23.10, I was expecting yet another invisible update. Result: I was both satisfied and surprised. The changes are not necessarily visible at first glance. But when you dig a little deeper, it’s a nice surprise.
App store Flutter
The first thing to note is that Ubuntu’s app store has been completely rewritten in the Flutter language. This new version features a much better (and faster) search, improved app layout, and the ability to easily switch between Snap versions.
Installing Slack from the new app store is easy as pie. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
Compared to previous versions’ slow and unreliable app stores, this new app store is a huge improvement.
Major changes in PPPs
If you work with PPAs (for installing third-party software), be aware that managing them is very different than it used to be.
PPAs are now managed via source files that follow the deb822 format. Canonical took this route to strengthen security by preventing GPG keys from a given repository from being installed system-wide. Thus, a PPA list is no longer able to use the GPG key from another list.
While this change may be disruptive to many users – especially those who were manually adding PPAs – it is important for improving system security.
Software updates
The list of updated software is quite long, as usual. But some changes are more important than others.
For example, Ubuntu 23.10 ships with Linux kernel 6.5, which supports (or improves support for) a number of new technologies, such as MIDI 2.0, Rust, ACPI on RISC-V, Loongarch architecture, the Intel Topology Aware Register interface, PM Capsule (for significantly improved power management) and many more. Of course, kernel 6.5 also includes the usual security fixes, bug fixes and performance improvements.
Additionally, Ubuntu 23.10 comes with GNOME 45, which offers a ton of new features including:
- new default applications (for the webcam and image playback for example);
- a return to the old terminal application;
- a new activity button/indicator;
- a much faster search (in Application Overview);
- a camera usage indicator;
- new styling apps;
- Many file manager improvements.
Improved tile display
Finally, Ubuntu 23.10 gives the desktop a boost, thanks to its tile improvements. Essentially, the new view makes it easier to place different windows on the desktop, allowing you to have many windows open, each of which takes up part of the screen. This makes it very easy to multitask while keeping all the necessary windows open on the desktop.
You can enable or disable the new tile feature in Ubuntu. Image: Jack Wallen/ZDNET.
Ubuntu adds this improved tiling feature through a GNOME extension that has been integrated. In the section Ubuntu Desktop of the application Settingsyou will find the section Enhanced Tilingwhere you can enable/disable the feature as well as the Tiles popup (which provides a list of open apps to display in tiles) and Tile Groups (which lets you add apps to groups, so that ‘they behave the same way when they are in tiles).
If you like the idea of trying a tiling window manager, but you’re not sure whether to adopt it, this option may be useful for you.
The official version
Ubuntu 23.10 will be officially released on October 12, 2023.
If you don’t want to wait, you can always download the daily build to test it. Please note, this build is not recommended for your workstation. But it will give you an idea of what to expect in the full version when it is released.
Source : ZDNet.com
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