A sneak peek of the seven highlights of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, codenamed "Noble Numbat" will be released soon! If you are using a non-LTS version such as Ubuntu 23.10, sooner or later you will need to consider upgrading. For those using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, it’s worth considering whether to upgrade.

Canonical has announced that Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will provide update support for up to 12 years, broken down as follows:

• As an LTS version, it will have 5 years of regular maintenance and security updates.
• If you subscribe to Ubuntu Pro, you can enjoy an additional 5 years of support.

Currently, this additional support period has been extended to 7 years, which means you will receive system update support for up to 12 years, including the initial 5 years.

Ubuntu Pro is completely free for individual users and can be used on up to 5 devices.

Next, we will focus on the noteworthy new features in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to help you decide whether to upgrade.

01: Upgrade the installation experience

Canonical has been working hard to improve the installation process to ensure that users have an easy and friendly experience from the beginning. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS has also made new progress in this regard:

• In order to facilitate users with special needs, the system provides "accessibility" function setting options after the initial interface, making configuration more convenient.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation interface: Accessibility

• In the next operation interface, icon prompts are added to make the steps more intuitive and the interface more refreshing. For example, when selecting a network, the Wi-Fi icon will be displayed, making the operation intuitive and clear.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation interface: Network connection

• The current "Default Installation" of the installation wizard adopts minimal installation. This option will only install core files to avoid unnecessary accumulation of software packages; if you need more commonly used tools, you can still choose "Full Installation"; install Options for third-party software and media codecs remain available to meet the needs of different users.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation interface: installation mode

02: The application center has a new look, with more refined details

For users who have upgraded from earlier LTS versions, one of the biggest changes brought by Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is the new "Application Center". This application developed based on Flutter has been creating a new visual and operational experience since Ubuntu 23.10. The interface design is more modern and concise, and the user experience is smoother.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Application Center

In the "Application Center" of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, applications are carefully categorized and organized, allowing you to easily discover various popular applications under different categories, greatly shortening the time required to find software. Moreover, the interface for "managing" installed applications has also been redesigned, making viewing software details organized.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Application Center: Management

You can also filter the application list, check for updates or perform other management actions. The convenience of these operations is quite similar to our experience of managing applications on Android devices, allowing you to know at a glance which applications are the most popular among users. The most practical.

03: GNOME 46 default desktop environment

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS will introduce the latest GNOME 46 as the default desktop environment. GNOME settings have been further optimized, resulting in a cleaner layout and new useful features. For example:

• The addition of "Privacy and Security" settings is an upgrade to the original "Privacy" settings.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Settings: Privacy and Security

• Compared with Ubuntu 23.10, options such as "User", "Default Application", "Date and Time" and "Region and Language" have been integrated into the new "System" menu.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Setup: System

In addition to appearance changes, the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS software repository also includes:

• GNOME’s new image viewer Loupe
• Webcam application Snapshot.

For example, you can easily install the Snapshot webcam app with the following command:

sudo apt install gnome-snapshot

04: Series Snap Package

In Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, you can use simple commands to quickly install a series of office software released based on Snap (version based on Electron packaging), such as Google Office Suite or Office 365.

Although Ubuntu has long supported Snap software packages, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS has made new attempts at integrating the desktop environment with Snap applications, which may bring some interesting new changes and improvements.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: Google Apps Installed

This integration is not only functional compatibility, but also provides a seamless user experience, making these applications look and run more like native applications in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

05: Security and ease of use enhancement

In the development plan of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, an independent security application (or security center) is included. This feature is currently undecided and it is unknown whether it will appear in the final version.

This secure app is designed to achieve the following goals:

• Lower the threshold for using security functions, allowing users without in-depth Linux experience to easily use some advanced functions. For example, security options such as hardware disk encryption can be managed and configured through a simple and intuitive interface such as toggle buttons or checkboxes.
• The planned security application will also include a prompt system for handling requests from "restricted applications" that need to access system resources. Security Center will display these requests in conjunction with existing privacy controls. Give users an experience similar to how the Android system handles privacy settings.
• For Ubuntu Pro subscribers, dedicated settings options will also be provided, as well as new network configuration functions. Allows users to easily manage advanced network security features such as firewall switches and stealth mode here.

06: Smarter notifications

Snap package update notifications have become more thoughtful, users will see prompts with action buttons.

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS: Update Now Tips

This convenience doesn’t just apply to Snap packages. The developers also plan to add a small red dot to the application icon in the Dock. When there is a new update, this small red dot will continue to remind you to update even if you miss the pop-up prompt.

07：Linux Kernel 6.6

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is equipped with the latest Linux 6.6 LTS kernel version, which includes various improvements for laptops and other network-related optimizations.

In general, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is an LTS version worth looking forward to. It has been improved and optimized in all aspects, bringing users a more comfortable, secure and efficient experience. If you are looking for a stable and reliable desktop operating system, then Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is definitely a good choice.

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