🥇Ubuntu 19.10 Eoan Ermine

On October 18, 2019, another iteration of the popular GNU/Linux distribution, Ubuntu 19.10, codenamed Eoan Ermine (Rising Ermine), was released.

Main innovations:

ZFS support in the installer. The ZFS On Linux driver version 0.8.1 is used.

ISO images contain proprietary NVIDIA drivers: you can now choose proprietary drivers along with free drivers.

Speed up system boot by using a new compression algorithm.

Changes in support for 32-bit (x86_32) packages: originally planned refrain from such. However, this proposal caused outrage among users and Valve's statement about the termination of support for Ubuntu (in this case). However, the final decision softened to just reducing the activity in 32-bit package support. The Ubuntu developers have promised that they will continue to support a working 32-bit userspace for legacy applications as well as for Steam and WINE. In response, at Valve stated about continued support for Ubuntu.

Kubernetes improvements: strict confinement for MicroK8s provides excellent insulation and increased safety at very little extra cost. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is now officially supported by Ubuntu.

Gnome 3.34

The ability to create groups (folders) of applications by simply dragging one icon to another in the application menu. Groups can also be given names. If multiple applications in a group belong to the same category (eg "Multimedia") GNOME will substitute the appropriate default name for that group.
Updates in the settings menu:
- updated desktop wallpaper selection page
- special settings page Night Light (dampening blue colors)
- more informative Wi-Fi connection status
- the ability to rearrange the order of search sources (Settings > Search)
Performance Improvements:
- Increased frame refresh rate
- Decreased latency, increased latency in Xorg graphics drivers and input drivers
- Reduced CPU consumption
When connecting external devices, the corresponding icons appear in the dock: phone, remote storage, etc.
The user interface has become a little lighter. Widgets have moved from light text on a dark background to dark text on a light background.
New desktop images

Linux kernel 5.3.0

Initial support for AMDGPU Navi (including Radeon RX 5700)
16 million new IPv4 addresses
Intel HDR display support for Icelake, Geminilake
Shader Computation in the Broadcom V3D Driver
Support Improvements Nvidia Jetson Nano
Support for Macbook and Macbook Pro keyboards
Support for Zhaoxin (x86) processors
Native swap for F2FS
Acceleration of case-insensitive searches in EXT4

Developer Tools:

glibc 2.30
Open JDK 11
GCC 9.2
Python 3.7.5 (+ Python 3.8.0 interpreter)
Ruby 2.5.5
PHP 7.3.8
Perl 5.28.1
golang 1.12.10

App Updates:

LibreOffice 6.3
Firefox 69
Thunderbird 68
GNOME Terminal 3.34
Transmission 2.9.4
GNOME Calendar 3.34
Remmina 1.3.4
gedit 3.34

Ubuntu Mate

MATE Desktop 1.22.2
Thunderbird email client replaced with Evolution
VLC video player replaced with GNOME MPV
Brisk menu updates

Also added is the "Notification Center" applet with the "do not disturb" mode.

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Xubuntu

Xfce 4.14
Xfcewm improvements including Vsync and HiDPI support
Light Locker replaced with Xfce Screensaver
New global keyboard shortcuts:
- ctrl + d - show/hide desktop
- ctrl + l - lock desktop
New desktop background

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Ubuntu Budgie

Budgie Desktop 10.5
File Manager Nemo v4
New settings in Budgie Desktop Settings
New options for people with visual impairments (accessibility)
Improvements in the window switching menu (alt+tab)
New wallpapers

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Kubuntu

The Plasma 5.17 desktop was not included in the original OS image, as it was released after the final freeze. However, it is already available in Kubuntu Backports PPA

Ubuntu 19.10 Eoan Ermine