If you love Ubuntu, you’ll be excited to hear the latest news about its next release. We know because we spoke with the people who plan and develop it. Let’s take a look at what’s new in Ubuntu 22.
What’s New in Ubuntu 22?
Ubuntu 22 will be a long-term release (LTS), which means that you can expect to see this version of Ubuntu in place for many years to come. The next version of Ubuntu will be released in April 2021, so you have plenty of time to get ready for the transition. What’s new in Ubuntu 22? The most significant new feature for users — and the one that’s most likely to affect your day-to-day computing experience — is the introduction of a new user interface. Based on GNOME 3.28, the new Ubuntu user interface (UI) is simpler and more efficient. It’s also built on a modern, lightweight, modular framework, meaning that it’s ready to handle new technologies as they emerge.
New Features for Users
Ubuntu’s new UI comes with several new features that users can take advantage of. These include: -A brand new look and feel -You’ll notice a change in the overall look of your system as soon as you log in. The new Ubuntu UI has a cleaner look that’s more consistent across devices. You’ll also notice that relevant system controls are more readily available at the top of the screen, saving you from having to hunt for them. – A new web browser – While it’s not quite ready for the new Ubuntu UI yet, the new Ubuntu web browser is still worth a mention. It’s based on GNOME’s Epiphany browser, but it has been completely re-engineered to take advantage of modern web standards and functionality. – Slices – These are a new type of bookmark that you can create on any website. You can use them to quickly open specific pages, complete with specific content, inside a selected app. – A new Scopes experience – The Scopes feature lets you search content from different online sources directly from the desktop. The new Scope experience improves discoverability, filtering, and integration with other services. – A more efficient system – The new Ubuntu UI has been designed to be more efficient, so you can expect to see performance improvements on systems with lower-end hardware.
More Ubuntu for the Internet of Things
Ubuntu’s IoT story has been growing steadily over the past few years, and it will continue to do so with the release of Ubuntu 22. The latest version will introduce a new IoT Core image and an updated SDK. Ubuntu Core is an operating system designed for IoT devices that’s lightweight, secure, and self-updating. The new IoT Core image is based on Ubuntu 19.04, which means that it’s ready to run Ubuntu’s new UI. The updated SDK will make it easier for developers to create new IoT apps. Ubuntu is also working on a new software app store that will make it easier to locate and install the apps you need.
A Bigger, Better Ubuntu Store
Ubuntu’s built-in app store is one of the biggest and best features of any Linux distribution. With the release of Ubuntu 22, it will get even better. The updated Ubuntu Store will make it easier to discover new apps and games, and it will streamline the entire app discovery and purchase process. For example, you’ll be able to browse and purchase apps from your desktop computer or laptop, then install them on all your devices. You’ll also be able to rate apps, leave reviews, and give feedback directly through the store.
An Improved Scopes Experience
Ubuntu’s Scopes are like miniature search engines built into the system, designed to bring you results directly from your desktop. With the release of Ubuntu 22, they’ll be more powerful than ever before. In addition to bringing you results from various online sources, they’ll also let you do things like share content directly to social media, add items to your calendar, and compose emails. The built-in Calendar and Weather Scopes, for example, will let you view your calendar events and view weather forecasts directly from the desktop.
Lightweight Windows and Apps
One of the biggest changes in Ubuntu 22 is that the Mir display server has been replaced by a new implementation called Wayland. Wayland is a newer, lighter display server designed for modern hardware. It means that Ubuntu will be able to support new technologies that require Wayland, and it’s also supposed to improve overall system performance. Ubuntu also uses Wayland for its built-in apps and lightweight windows, which let you run apps as stand-alone windows. You’ll be able to use these lightweight apps on both traditional monitors and VR headsets.
Other Improvements and Changes
– Ubuntu will now support swap files on all systems, not just those with dedicated swap partitions. – Ubuntu will be available to run on ARM64 servers and IBM Z mainframes. – Ubuntu 22 will support the latest open source technologies and frameworks, including Kubernetes, OpenStack, and OpenSCAD. – The Ubuntu installer will be faster and more reliable. – Ubuntu 22 will support the latest AMD and Intel processors. – Ubuntu’s default web browser will be Firefox, which will be updated to Firefox 63.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to new releases, it’s natural to focus on the biggest changes, but Ubuntu 22 is full of smaller improvements that will make a real difference to day-to-day computing. Ubuntu takes care of your computing experience from the moment you turn on your computer and log in until you turn it off again. A new integrated and improved Scope experience, better app store, search and discovery features, and updated core apps make this version of Ubuntu even more seamless and intuitive than previous releases. All these improvements and more will be coming to you in April 2021, so you can get ready for the latest version of Ubuntu by following the development process and keeping up with what’s new as it happens.