Blender 4.2 LTS Brings New Render Engine, GPU Compositor + More
Feeling creative? If you are, be sure to check out the new Blender 4.2 LTS release. Blender 4.2 LTS ships with a slew of new features, performance improvements, and general fixes and tune-ups. It’s also backed by two years of ongoing support, allowing users to adopt this series and only receive bug fixes, not ‘breaking changes’. An overhauled EEVEE render engine ships in Blender 4.2 LTS. Rewritten from scratch to improve the performance, stability, and visual quality of viewport rendering, and provide new shadow and global illumination systems, better motion blur and DoF, etc. And a GPU-accelerated compositor is included 
#News #AppUpdates #Blender
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/blender-4-2-release-new-features
Ubuntu Fast-Tracks AppArmor Fix for Flatpak Apps Failing to Start in Ubuntu
The recent update to AppArmor to fix issues with 3rd-party apps unable to run on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS due to its security hardening inadvertently prevents a fleet of popular Flatpak apps from running. The Telegram Desktop, KeePassXC, and Steam clients are among Flatpak apps affected, some throwing an apparmor="DENIED" error apparently due to the AppArmor profile for the Bubblewrap sandboxing tool (used by many Linux apps) in the prior update. To be clear: snap, DEB, and binary versions of the software above aren’t affected, only Flatpaks. But good news: Ubuntu’s developers got to work to identify the cause, aided by
#News #Apparmor #Bugs #FlatpakApps #Ubuntu24_04Lts
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/ubuntu-apparmor-fix-for-telegram-flatpak
DevToys, a Swiss-Army Knife of Developer Tools, Now Available on Linux
When Scott suggested I cover a new open-source app for Linux on the basis it’s “like Microsoft PowerToys for developers”, I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d be writing about — when it comes to Windows I’m more familiar with pinball that PowerToys. But after reading the website for DevToys, which describes the tool as a “Swiss Army knife for developers”, things made a lot more sense — it’s basically a grab-bag of handy helpers, an all-in-one, offline-friendly utility. Indeed, DevToys includes some 30 tools in total, each there to “help with daily development tasks”, saving developers time, effort, and the frustration
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/devtoys-developer-tool-now-available-on-linux
Linux Kernel 6.10 Released, This is What’s New
Linux kernel 6.10 has been officially released. The latest version of the Linux kernel adds an array of improvements, including a new memory sealing system call, a speed boost for AES-XTS encryption on Intel and AMD CPUs, and expanding Rust language support within the kernel to RISC-V. Plus, like in all kernel releases, there’s a glut of groundwork to offer “initial support” for upcoming CPUs, GPUs, NPUs, Wi-Fi, and other hardware (that most of us don’t use yet, but require Linux support to be in place for when devices that use them filter out). Announcing the Linux 6.10 release in
#News #Gaming #LinuxKernel #Risc-V
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/linux-kernel-6-10-new-features
Apple Approves First PC Emulator on the App Store
This weekend Apple officially approved the first PC emulator on the App Store, an open-source app called UTM SE, based on QEMU, and entirely free (entirely; no icky IAPs) to download. UTM SE is able to emulate a variety of desktop operating systems and system architectures, including MS-DOS, Windows XP, and (of course) many Linux distributions – all without workarounds, jailbreaks, or side-loading .ipa files through Xcode. Although I should set expectations: don’t expect exceptional performance, even on the latest M4 iPad Pro — I’ll come to why in a bit. As you may have heard, Apple relaxed its restrictions
#News #Apple #Ios #Qemu #UtmSe
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/utm-se-qemu-pc-emulator-apple-app-store
Thunderbird 128 Released With Major Changes
A major update to the open-source e-mail client Thunderbird is now available to download. Thunderbird 128 ‘Nebula’ builds on last year’s stellar Thunderbird 115 release with a flurry of new features, major code improvements, and bug fixes. And like the recent Firefox 128 release this version of Thunderbird is an Extended Support Release (ESR). Like an LTS, ESR status commits to continued updates, bug fixes, and support for several years. Linux distros which rely on ESR builds, like Debian, can update. Support period aside, you’ll find plenty of tangible changes on offer in Thunderbird 128, so preamble done let’s get
#News #AppUpdates #EmailClients #Thunderbird
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/thunderbird-128-released-with-major-changes
Ubuntu’s App Center Updated, Can Now Open/Install DEB Packages
Ubuntu’s Flutter-based App Center can now open and install 3rd-party DEB installers. An App Center update that adds support for ‘side-loading’ DEB packages began rolling out to users on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS in the past few weeks (but as snaps update in the background silently, without any indication or alert, I only just noticed). To be clear: this is about being able to install DEB packages you download from the web (e.g., Google Chrome, Discord, Steam, Vivaldi, Slack, etc) using App Center. It’s not about installing DEBs from the Ubuntu repos, which was already possible. With this update it is
#News #AppCenter #AppUpdates #Ubuntu24_04Lts
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/app-center-update-adds-deb-install-support
GNOME Extensions Website is Getting a Major Redesign (Sneak Peek)
A big overhaul of the GNOME extensions website is in the works. As the recent revamp of Flathub proved, engaging store fronts for software and extensions are not the preserve of big-time tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. Good design is good design. GNOME Extensions are quick and easy way to add new features, behaviours, and visuals changes to GNOME Shell. And the extensions.gnome.org (EGO) website is the go-to place to find and install them. But it’s well overdue a revamp. GNOME Extensions Website Due an Update The current GNOME Extensions website is a functional, no-frills affair. The core
#News #GnomeExtensions
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/gnome-extensions-website-redesign-2024
Zed, a GPU-accelerated IDE Written in Rust, is now available for Linux
Hurrah, the open-source editor Zed is now available for Linux. Zed is a GPL licensed IDE written in Rust by the authors of the (much missed) Atom editor and the creators of Tree-sitter. It offers everything a modern IDE should: Plus, as it’s 2024 so AI was made mandatory in all things, Zed provides integration with Github CoPilot and GPT-4. Use this to generate new code from prompting; refactor code generated by GPT’s archaic ancestor (i.e., a human); ask for advice, tips, etc. Zed is GPU-accelerated (by way of the Vulkan API). Combined with the editor’s Rust underpinnings, this editor
#News
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/zed-editor-linux-released
GNOME 47’s New Font: How to Try it on Ubuntu
News that GNOME’s design team is looking to make Inter the default font in GNOME 47 got me curious about what the typeface might look in action. Why Inter? This clean, open-source sans-serif font is designed specifically for user interfaces. It’s legible and clear at various sizes and resolutions, boasts a broad character set, and supports hundreds of languages. Still, this tentative typography swap is not set in stone: we’re early in the GNOME 47 development cycle, the proposed font change is just that: a proposal. Further testing is needed to ensure Inter is an adequate replacement for Cantarell, GNOME’s
#News #EyeCandy #Fonts #Gnome
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/make-inter-default-font-in-ubuntu
Mozilla Firefox 128 Released, This is (Mostly) What’s New
Mozilla Firefox 128 is now available download, freshly stocked with some sweet new features. It’s been three weeks since Firefox 127 delivered a deft new way to get rid of duplicate tabs, bolstered security by auto-upgrading mixed-content elements in webpages, and souped-up its in-page screenshot capabilities. And Firefox 128 adds a clutch of canny changes of its own, including a faster way to use the browser’s built-in (privacy-friendly) translation feature. For more details, scroll on! What’s new in Firefox 128? Cruft accumulates as you browse the web, like your web browsing and search history, media cache, cookies (not all cookies are evil,
#News #AppUpdates #Firefox
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/mozilla-firefox-128-released-this-is-mostly-whats-new
This $10 Raspberry Pi 5 M.2 HAT Fits Inside the Official Case
There are a lot of reasons to love the Raspberry Pi 5, and the inclusion of a single-lane PCI Express 2.0 interface for expansion is, for me, chief among them. I bought an inexpensive Pimorini NVMe Base to use an M.2 SSD with my Pi 5 (for a stonkingly faster experience than a slow-poke microSD card). Only problem is, with the board attached, my Raspberry Pi 5 can’t fit in the official Raspberry Pi 5 case. And while the newer, smaller official Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT+ can be used in the official case, you have to keep the top off
#News #RaspberryPi
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/this-10-raspberry-pi-5-m-2-hat-fits-inside-the-official-case
Ubuntu 23.10 Support Ends July 11 – Upgrade Soon!
Anyone making use of Ubuntu 23.10 “Mantic Minotaur” should be aware that official support for the release ends on July 11, 2024. Which, to reorient the blissfully slow who, like me, feel 2024 is still new, is this week: July 11 is on Thursday. What happens when support for an Ubuntu release ends and it hits end-of-life (EOL)? It’s incredibly dramatic. On July 11th, the Ubuntu desktop starts to disintegrate. The top bar collapses and shatters at the bottom of the screen. Apps explode on launch. Nautilus begins shredding all personal files… And worst of all, a rusty Clippy will
#News #Ubuntu23_10 #UbuntuSupportPeriod
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/ubuntu-23-10-support-ends-july-11-upgrade-soon
Proton Take Aim at Google Docs with New Online Document Editor
Proton, once famed for its VPN offers, these days provides a full suite of secure services, including e-mail, cloud storage, and password manager (Proton Pass Linux app launched last month). Now, it’s adding another string to its privacy-focused bow, and takes aim at Google Docs in the process. This week Proton announced Docs in Proton Drive, a “privacy-first document editor” which allows anyone with a (free or a paid) Proton account to create, edit, share, and collaborate documents on-the-go from any web browser. Admittedly, an open source, auditable cloud-based word processor isn’t strictly Ubuntu-specific news (incase you’re wondering why I’m
#News #CloudStorage #Proton #Webapps
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/proton-docs-online-cloud-word-processor
Audacious Music Player Now GTK3 By Default, Improves Wayland Support
A new version of the Audacious music player popped out a few weeks back, but I totally missed hearing about until today (when sifting through my GitHub stars to make sure no other apps I like have joined the FOSS graveyard). Audacious 4.4 is a sizeable update which existing fans of this feature-packed, lightweight audio app are sure to appreciate, whether they run it on Linux, macOS, Windows, or a *BSD of some description. The biggest change? Audacious now defaults to GTK3 or Qt6 (depending on preference). Neither toolkit bumps changes the look of the app, but will mean the
#News #AppUpdates #Audacious #MusicPlayers
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/audacious-music-player-now-gtk3-ui
Miracle-WM 0.3 Arrives with Bling, Bug Fixes & Better I3 IPC Support
If you’re yet to try Miracle-WM, a tiling window manager made for the Mir Wayland compositor, the latest version would be a stellar place to star. Created by Canonical engineer Matthew Kosarek (in his free time; it’s not an official Canonical project), miracle-wm wants to marry the efficiency of tiling window managers such as i3 and Sway with “flashier graphics full of smooth transitions and colors”. Previous releases tackled the fundamentals the former of those aforementioned aims requires, and the new miracle-wm 0.3.0 release begins to add the bling needed to help realise the latter aspect. Slick animations have
#News #Miracle-Wm #Tiling
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/07/miracle-wm-0-3-mir-tiling-window-manager
Linux Mint 22 Beta is Now Available to Download
And we’re off — the Linux Mint 22 beta release is now available to download. The beta of Linux Mint 22 ‘Wilma’ lands ahead of an expected stable release, tentatively scheduled for late July or early August, depending on how many bugs, issues, and quirks are identified during the beta testing period. Linux Mint 22 is a big update. It’s the first version to be based on top of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and inherits all of the foundational goodies that release provides. This includes the Linux 6.8 kernel, updated graphics drivers, and tooling bumps. But Linux Mint adds plenty of
#News #Cinnamon #LinuxMint
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/06/linux-mint-22-beta-is-now-available-to-download
Gradience (Theming App) Has Archived Its Github Page
Sad news for fans of Gradience, the 3rd-party tool to customise the look of GTK4/libadwaita apps, as this weekend (June 29, 2024) the Github project page was made read-only and archived. News is sure to drain the colour from those who avidly use this tool, as it has proven popular with those seeing to personalise the libadwaita stylesheet to better suit their tastes. But this move isn’t entirely out of the blue. In April, Gradience added a note to top of its Github page mentioning that the app was “looking for a maintainer(s)! if you know Python and GTK4/Libadwaita and
#News #Gradience #Graveyard
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/06/gradience-linux-app-is-now-unmaintained
AppArmor Update Coming to Fix Broken Apps in Ubuntu 24.04
If you’ve been experiencing issues getting some apps to run or work properly in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS it may be down to the distro using AppArmor to restrict the creation of user namespaces. This change (which I touched on in my article look at what’s new in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS) is there to bolster security. After all, no-one wants icky apps free to do icky things, unchecked. But the change means AppArmor policies are (somewhat expectedly) preventing some apps from running at all, and breaking features in other apps if they rely on components AppArmor isn’t configured to allow. When
#News #Apparmor #Security #Ubuntu24_04Lts
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/06/apparmor-update-fix-coming-ubuntu
Tiling Shell’s Latest Update Adds Blur Effect & Edge Tiling
It might seem like I’m a bit obsessed with Tiling Shell, the super-charged window snapping extension for GNOME Shell (which works beautifully in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and above). Because this is my 3rd article about it in less than a fortnight — but when the updates (and new features) are coming thick and fast, it’s hard to not want to talk about the additions! Tiling Shell v10 hit the GNOME Extensions website yesterday (if you have the extension installed already you’ll get the update automatically) with a number of improvements. First, the flashy addition: experimental blur: When you trigger a
#News #AppUpdates #EyeCandy #GnomeExtensions #TilingShell #WindowSnapping
https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2024/06/tiling-shell-update-blur-edge-tiling
