Ubuntu is, for most users, the gateway to the Linux ecosystem. This distro is characterized, above all, for being very intuitive, simple to use and for bringing everything that any user may need without completely breaking with the Linux philosophy. Canonical, the company responsible for the development of Ubuntu, usually releases new versions of this distro every 6 months. And, following this schedule, the new version of Ubuntu, 20.10, also known as ” Groovy Gorilla ” is almost ready.
After the arrival of the latest LTS, the new Ubuntu 20.10 is going to be a normal version that will only have 9 months of support. This means that we will not be able to put up with it until the arrival of Ubuntu 21.10, so, if we are going to install this distro, we must count on updating next April 2021 to 21.04, or we will run out of support.
What’s new in Ubuntu 20.10
The first of the novelties that we find in Groovy Gorilla is GNOME 3.38 . This is the latest version of the desktop (to date) that brings some changes and news compared to previous versions. For example, it now allows you to rearrange the icons in the list of programs, adds a pagination to the applications folder, and even brings, finally, the long-awaited restart function to the main system menu. Other relevant changes to the desktop are:
- Possibility of creating a Wi-Fi access point with a QR.
- Allows you to show the battery percentage from the Settings.
- Upcoming events now appear in the message tray, below the calendar.
The new Ubuntu 20.10 comes with the Linux 5.8 kernel, a version of the kernel that brings improved support for AMD, consumer improvements, and new drivers for disk file systems.
As for the Ubuntu installer, it now has a new icon and, very importantly, it integrates with Active Directory on Windows servers. This seeks to break through within companies facilitating the distribution of this Linux in managed networks quickly and easily. Could Canonical be seriously betting on the business sector?
The programs installed by default on the distro have also been updated. For example, we will have Firefox 81, Thunderbird 78 and even LibreOffice 7.0. The screen capture software has also been revamped, or rather simplified.
What we won’t see, at least for now, will be a new fund. Something strange considering that this is one of the most striking aspects for the community.
Download Groovy Gorilla beta
At the moment, this new version of Ubuntu is not available on Canonical’s main website , as it is not yet completely finished. However, users who want to try it, both on a PC and in a virtual machine, and have a first contact with its improvements and news, can do so from the following link to the Ubuntu releases website.
Here we are going to meet the Ubuntu 20.10 beta , as well as all the other versions that still have extended support, from 16.04 to 20.04. And even older versions of Linux, like 14.04 and even 12.04 that have Extended Maintenance (ESM).
We remember that we are facing a beta, so, although at first it does not seem to have serious errors, it may not work as we expect. If we are going to install Ubuntu on our work computer, it is better to wait for the final version that will be released in the second half of this month. In addition to Ubuntu, 20.10 will also arrive in their respective “flavors” such as Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Studio, and Xubuntu.
