Ubuntu 23.10 appears unexciting initially, but reveals hidden features upon exploration.
Ubuntu 23.10 appears unexciting initially, but reveals hidden features upon exploration.
I’ve always been a fan of Ubuntu. It may not be my desktop of choice, but I’ve always held Canonical’s distribution in high regard. It’s a reliable option that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to users of all skill levels. And when I heard about the release of Ubuntu 23.10, I expected the usual “boring” upgrade. Little did I know that I would be both validated and surprised.
At first glance, Ubuntu 23.10 may seem like more of the same. It looks and feels just like the Ubuntu I’ve been experiencing for the past few years. However, upon closer inspection, I discovered that there’s more than meets the eye.
One notable change is the complete rewrite of the Ubuntu app store in the Flutter language. The new app store offers a much-improved search functionality, faster performance, and an improved app view. Switching between available Snap versions has also become much easier. It’s a significant improvement over the sluggish and unreliable app store from previous releases.
Another major change in Ubuntu 23.10 is the way third-party software is managed through Personal Package Archives (PPAs). Instead of managing PPAs with GPG keys installed system-wide, all PPAs are now managed via source files that follow the deb822-format. This change enhances security by preventing PPA listings from hitching a ride on another listing’s GPG key. While this change may initially trip up those who manually add PPAs to their system, the added security is definitely worth it.
As always, Ubuntu 23.10 includes a list of updated software. One notable update is the inclusion of Linux kernel 6.5, which brings support for new technologies and includes various security patches, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. The release also features GNOME 45, which offers numerous new features and improvements such as new default apps, a return to the previous terminal application, fractional scaling improvements, and a much faster search within the Application Overview.
But the enhancements don’t stop there. Ubuntu 23.10 introduces enhanced tiling to the desktop, making it easier to multitask and manage multiple windows. This feature is enabled through a GNOME extension that has been baked right into Ubuntu. Users can customize the enhanced tiling feature and enable/disable the Tiling Popup and Tile Groups to personalize their tiling experience.
Ubuntu 23.10, codenamed Mantic Minataur, is set to be officially released on October 12, 2023. For those eager to get a taste of what’s to come, the daily build is available for download, although it’s not recommended for production machines. However, testing out the daily build will give users a sneak peek into the exciting new features and improvements that await in the full release.
With these new updates and improvements, Ubuntu 23.10 is shaping up to be yet another solid release from Canonical. Whether you’re a seasoned Ubuntu user or someone considering switching to this popular Linux distribution, there’s plenty to be excited about in this latest version. Get ready to flutter by, embrace the enhanced tiling, and dive into all the fantastic features that Ubuntu 23.10 has to offer.
