Canonical Ubuntu 23.04 (aka Lunar Lobster) was released April 20 with a new install, Active Directory login functionality, and improved gaming performance. This will enhance Ubuntu Desktop’s capabilities for both work and play.
The latest release of Ubuntu is important for both enterprise users and consumer alike. For enterprises, it steps up deployment and customization at scale, and for consumers, it provides a desktop option missing from Ubuntu’s collection — Cinnamon.
Subiquity is the new installation engine that supports autoinstall configuration workflows on both desktops as well as servers. Ubuntu Desktop version 23.04 is the only Linux distribution that supports native user authentication using Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory.
Mark Shuttleworth, CEO at Canonical, stated that “this Ubuntu milestone release shows our progress in raising standards for enterprise developer desktops. Thanks to our best-in class Linux integration with Active Directory Domain Services or Azure Active Directory.” Our expanded investment in Ubuntu Gaming means that your downtime will be just as enjoyable.
The Key Improvements Under the Hood
This release had as its goal to make Linux accessible to all. Canonical claims that the Ubuntu 23.04 installation has a new user interface, a familiar but modern first-time experience for users and enterprise management tools.
Lunar Lobster provides better cross-platform development workflows. It offers the most recent toolchains and runs for Python, Java Go, C++ Rust.Net, C, C++ and C++.
QEMU enables developers to simulate their applications across multiple architectures. This latest version includes hardware support for an array of armhf and arm64, as well as Risc-V and s390x device types to ensure local development environments are compatible with target deployment architectures.
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Users can now install snaps and apps with more control. Desktop snaps, for example, have a refreshed awareness feature.
Updates for running Snaps are downloaded automatically in the background when the app closes. Users and administrators are now able to pause the automatic updating of snaps for as long as they wish.
Ubuntu 23.04 features GNOME44 with additional usability improvements. There are also new quick-settings options for Bluetooth Device Management and Dark Mode. The new installer uses Flutter (a cross platform UI framework) and Subiquity as well as Canonical’s CLI installers for Ubuntu Server and Curtin.
The gaming experience is also a huge win for gamers. In this release, Steam snap has been promoted to the stable channels.
Steam Snap bundles all the dependencies needed to run newer and older games without having to manage and enable additional PPAs. This includes 32-bit libraries, Mesa drivers and advanced Mesa drivers.
Upgrade Highlights
Ubuntu’s new installation is built on Flutter. This cross-platform framework for user interfaces. Subiquity is Canonical’s Command Line Interface (CLI), installer for Ubuntu server and Curtin.
GNOME 44 is the default desktop. The latest stable release comes with a host of new features. The latest lock and login screens, for example, use a bigger user avatar and a wider password entry field.
GNOME designers have improved the Quick Settings menu in terms of both its form and functionality. Split buttons allow you to easily see the sub-menus of certain features.
The new subtitles provide relevant information. You can see which Wi-Fi networks are active and what Power Mode you’re using.
In a new version of Nautilus, the app allows you to expand folders for easier navigation. Ubuntu Dock displays unread notification count for each application.
New Desktop Flavor Recipe
Ubuntu 23.04 includes a new desktop after years of work behind the scenes. This newly updated Cinnamon could attract more users into the ranks of Ubuntu.
Cinnamon desktop enthusiasts had no other choice than to depend on alternatives for their desktop fix. Even if they were using close Ubuntu relatives such as the Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix distribution.
Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix combines Linux Mint Cinnamon’s flagship desktop with Ubuntu.
Ubuntu Cinnamon Remix
The remix started in 2019, when Joshua Peisach, then 11-years-old, announced his dream of creating a standalone Cinnamon desktop based on Ubuntu.
Cinnamon is based on the traditional desktops like GNOME 2 or MATE. It’s similar to Windows 7 in this regard. Cinnamon 5.6.7 is the default desktop software for Ubuntu Cinnamon.
Still Separate Entities
Canonical as well as Peisach announced the Cinnamon desktop for Ubuntu 23.04. Peisach published a blog on April 23, announcing the release of Ubuntu Cinnamon version 23.04, “Lunar Lobster”.
This announcement proved that his remix distribution was not going anywhere. He would instead continue to maintain a separate desktop option that uses the Ubuntu base advances. This leaves users who want to use the Cinnamon Desktop on top of Ubuntu’s underpinnings with two choices.
Peisach stated in his blog that his goal was to have the 2023 release be the best out of eight releases. Peisach promised to keep the user experience the same or even improve it. Some of the innovations will come from new developments in Ubuntu, like the Flutter-based Flutter installer.
Install and Download Ubuntu 23.04, Lunar Lobster
Ubuntu 23.04’s modern interface and enhanced configuration features demonstrate its mission to make Linux available to everyone. Watch the installation procedure:
Ubuntu 23.04 Lunar Lobster is a significant update and improvement to the Linux environment. This release is interesting for new and seasoned users alike, thanks to its many new features.
