Software Update: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

Version 22.04 of Linux distribution Ubuntu has been released, a version that will receive support for five years. A new version is published twice a year and the year and month of publication form the version number. These versions are supported for nine months. Once every two years a version is released that will be provided with updates for five years instead of nine months. Version 22.04 is codenamed Jammy Jellyfish, runs on Linux Kernel 5.17 and uses Gnome 42 as the desktop environment by default. More information about this release is at omg! Ubuntu and on our own front page. The full release notes for this release can be found on this page be seen; these are the main changes in version 22.04:

Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is Out

At the heart of Ubuntu 22.04 is the (relatively recent) GNOME 42 release, albeit not in whole. Many apps stay back on their GNOME 41 versions to avoid landing libadwaita apps in the LTS. For LTS upgrades the bump to GNOME 42 is pretty huge.

The Ubuntu desktop now uses a horizontal workspace switcher (plus new multi-tasking settings to customize it); a horizontal app launcher (whose shortcuts can be re-ordered). There are also new touchpad gestures for entering and existing the app launcher and workspace switcher when using the (now default) Wayland session.

A bunch of new file manager features are included too, such a scrollable path-bar, path-bar autocomplete, support for password protected .zip creation and extraction, and more time-accurate file transfers.

Ubuntu also gains a new screenshot experience (which ca take screen recordings too); makes it easier to disable animations (via accessibility settings); and forces makes the Firefox Snap default for everyone, across every flavour.

Visually, the distro has a lighter, brighter look with UI accent colours, true dark mode, a new set of wallpapers, and a brand new Ubuntu logo used throughout the system. The GNOME Shell UI is also more streamlined in this release.

Desktop icons now show in the bottom left by default, and you’ll find a handful of options to customize how the Ubuntu Dock looks and works available the in Settings > Appearance section. App pages in Ubuntu Software also get a revamp.

You can now change power mode from the Status Menu (performance, battery saver, balanced); see calendar events in the clock applet; and use touchpad gestures to enter the and exit the workspace switcher and app launcher.

Connectivity is expanded with RDP support out of the box; while Linux 5.15 and Mesa 22 are included for optimum system performance. Wayland is the default display server for those upgrading from 20.04 LTS.