Software Update: elementary OS 0.3.1

The first update to elementary OS version 0.3, also known as Freya, has been released. Elementary OS is an Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, which aims to provide a consistent and simple desktop environment with Pantheon. Other typical features are the dock Plank, the Midori web browser and the simple text editor Scratch. Version 0.3.1, which comes five months after version 0.3, ships with the following release notes:

Freya 0.3.1 is Lord!

After just a few months, we’re excited to announce a major upgrade for elementary OS Freya! This new version 0.3.1 closes about 200 reports and brings new features, tons of fixes, better hardware support, visual polish, and enhanced translations.

We’re very proud to share some elementary OS download stats as well! So far, elementary OS has been downloaded an estimated 5 million times. Of those downloads, we’re seeing that almost 70% are coming from Windows and OS X. So, “Welcome and congratulations!” to the over 3 million new users of an open source operating system!

At the heart of this upgrade is the latest Hardware Enablement stack from Ubuntu 14.04.3. It includes version 3.19 of the Linux kernel and an updated Mesa that fixes the dreaded “double cursor” glitch. Workspaces in the Multitasking view also now work properly on Nvidia Optimus. The new hardware stack also brings better support for backlights and touchpads on certain laptops, a host of performance and power-related improvements, and support for 5th generation Intel processors. This release should also improve support for (U)EFI systems, especially when installing without an internet connection.

elementary OS Freya 0.3.1 includes all previously-released updates to Freya, plus a host of new updates to our included apps.

With our third upgrade to Files since Freya’s release, we’re bringing a long-awaited, redesigned file chooser dialog, available in all GTK3 apps. We’re also debuting a new “Recent Documents” feature which makes finding your recent files faster and adds the ability to conveniently remove files from your browsing history.

The brand new Midori 0.5.11 is included with support for the new space-saving header bar as well as fixes for several crashers. The Adblock extension also got some special attention in this release of Midori, particularly related to performance. New unit tests have been added and old C code refactored into shiny new Vala code, so look forward to a more robust native web browser.

In our System Settings app, you’ll find a redesigned Language & Region pane. The new pane makes managing installed languages ​​much clearer and more reliable. You’ll also find more complete translations throughout the system. Additionally, the Keyboard settings pane now has support for custom shortcuts.

As we mentioned earlier this month, we are also now including the latest version of Geary (0.10), the email app in elementary OS. This update brings: improved full-text search; improved IMAP connection management; better draft management; quoting selected text in replies; HTML signatures; support for multiple email addresses in an account; undo for Archive, Trash, and Move; updated translations; and many bug fixes!

We’ve made improvements to the overall look and feel of elementary OS as well. We’ve fixed a few visual niggles with apps using the new dark look, avatars on the lock and login screen now have subtle highlights and shadows, and our icons now look much better on HiDPI displays, bringing HiDPI support much closer. We’ve also redesigned the Videos icon and made subtle adjustments to several other icons.

Other minor updates include a new “Window Dodge” hide mode for Plank, single-click selection helpers in Photos (like the ones you get in Files), and tons of fixes for crashers and other bugs.