Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, codenamed “Jammy Jellyfish”, is set to be released on April 21, 2022. As an LTS (Long Term Support) release, it will receive security and maintenance updates for 5 years, until April 2027. This makes it an ideal choice for users who value stability and reliability. Here are some of the most exciting new features and improvements coming in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS:
A New Default Desktop Environment: GNOME 42
For the first time, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS will use GNOME 42 as the default desktop environment. Previous LTS releases used older versions of GNOME.
GNOME 42 brings some nice improvements:
- A refreshed visual design with rounded corners and a more modern look.
- Performance optimizations for a smoother experience.
- Improved power management for better battery life on laptops.
- Enhanced multitasking with tiling window layouts.
The overall desktop experience should feel faster and more responsive. GNOME 42 also lays the groundwork for future improvements.
Linux Kernel 5.15
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS ships with the Linux kernel 5.15, a long-term supported kernel that will also receive updates for years.
Some highlighted features and improvements in Linux kernel 5.15 include:
- Better hardware support, including many new devices and peripherals.
- Enhanced security protections like virtio-fs for virtual machines.
- Faster I/O throughput for NVMe solid-state drives.
- Better integration with Microsoft Azure clouds.
The updated kernel brings both performance optimizations and the latest hardware support to Ubuntu.
Mozilla Firefox as the Default Browser
Mozilla Firefox replaces Google Chrome as the default web browser in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
Firefox offers a few advantages:
- An open source browser aligned with Ubuntu’s values.
- Enhanced privacy protections and controls.
- Lower memory usage compared to Chrome.
Of course, users can still install any alternative browser they want, including Chrome. But Firefox likely integrates better into Ubuntu’s GNOME desktop environment.
New Enterprise Features
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS introduces some new features targeted at enterprise and professional users:
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Active Directory integration – Ubuntu can now join Active Directory domains out-of-the-box for improved enterprise management.
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Advanced data encryption – Ubuntu 22.04 supports fscrypt, providing transparent filesystem encryption for data security.
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Updated languages and tools – The latest development packages like GCC 12, Python 3.10, Rust 1.58 are included.
These capabilities enhance Ubuntu’s capabilities for professional use cases like software development.
Other Notable Improvements
Here are a few other noteworthy changes coming in Ubuntu 22.04:
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Wayland graphics become the default display server, replacing Xorg. This enables smoother graphics, improved security, and better high DPI monitor support.
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Bluetooth audio support is greatly improved, allowing devices like headphones to pair more reliably.
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The default init system switches from systemd to sysvinit to enhance compatibility and stability.
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Cloud image support makes Ubuntu 22.04 ideal for cloud and container deployments.
An Exciting Future for Ubuntu
With its tradition of stability plus new features tailored for desktop and enterprise use, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS looks to be a significant release that will shape Ubuntu’s direction for the next few years. For Linux users who want a powerful yet reliable distribution, Ubuntu 22.04 will be a release to watch when it lands in April 2022.
