The release of elementary OS 8.0.1 has been published, marketed as a fast, open-source, and privacy-conscious alternative to Windows and macOS. The project focuses on high-quality design aimed at creating an easy-to-use system that consumes minimal resources and provides high boot speed. Users are offered their own Pantheon desktop environment. Bootable ISO images (3.3 GB) are available for download for the amd64 architecture (to download for free from the project site, enter 0 in the donation amount field).
The original components of elementary OS are developed using GTK3, Vala language, and the custom Granite framework. The distribution is based on the Ubuntu project. On the package and repository support level, elementary OS 8.x is compatible with Ubuntu 24.04. All additional applications offered for installation via AppCenter, as well as some default applications, are packaged using the Flatpak format. The graphical environment is based on the custom Pantheon shell, which includes components such as the Gala window manager (based on LibMutter), Slingshot launcher, control panel Switchboard, Wing top panel, Dock taskbar, and Pantheon Greeter session manager (based on LightDM).
The environment includes a set of tightly integrated applications necessary for users to accomplish their tasks. Most of the applications are developed by the project, such as the Pantheon Terminal emulator, Pantheon Files file manager, Code text editor, and Music (Noise) music player. The project also develops the Pantheon Photos manager (a fork of Shotwell) and the Mail client (a fork of Evolution).
Key Changes:
- The AppCenter application installation center has improved support for dark mode design — common dark colors used across the distribution have been implemented, along with the display of screenshots featuring dark themes. When multiple screenshots are provided, priority is given to those created for the Pantheon desktop environment.
- The window for displaying release notes has been improved.
- File manager issues with inputting file paths in search mode, scrolling after file deletion, and files disappearing when dragging to an unmounted drive have been resolved. Support for URI admin:// has been added to open file paths with administrative rights.
- The configuration tool now includes the option to configure notifications (System Settings → Notifications).
- The application management interface (Applications) now has an option to disable notification outputs.
- Options have been added to the network settings page to manage automatic connection and the allowance of background tasks that consume traffic, such as downloading updates.
- Automatic updates have been disabled when connecting to metered networks. A notification now appears if updates are available on such networks. Information about the update size has been added, along with a download progress indicator. Update checks have been disabled during demo sessions.
- The installer has been redesigned to consolidate the disk partition encryption setup interface into a single page.
- Improved support for high-density pixel (HiDPI) displays in the panel. The context menu displayed in the applications menu now includes the 'Keep in Dock' option for pinning to the applications panel. The Power menu displays the device model. A page has been added with a list of other active sessions and the ability to switch between them.
- In the applications panel, spacing between shortcuts and launch indicators has been increased. An opaque style for the panel has been added.
- Search speed has been increased.
- Linux kernel packages have been updated to version 6.11 (imported from Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS).
Source: opennet.ru
