Ubuntu (Kinetic Kudu) For Linux

Ubuntu 22.10, codenamed Kinetic Kudu, was released on October 20, 2022, and as we're sure most of you know, it's an interim release. As is the case with past interim releases, 22.10 focuses on new features and provides Ubuntu fans with access to the latest edge in software and new technologies.

This is the 37th release of Ubuntu since it's inception in 2004, and the second version to use a codename beginning with the letter "K," after Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala).

Even though there may not be much incentive (at least at first glance) to upgrade to 22.10 from 22.04, especially considering that 23.04, the next release, is due in six months, we have to admit that 22.10 is a lot better than expected.

As to why this is a lot better than expected, well, it has to do with the fabulous implementation of GNOME 43 (we'll talk about that a bit later), the new features of Ubuntu's desktop which make it feel and look a lot more polished, the new Kernel 5.19, and, of course, one of the biggest changes - the move to Pipewire.

With the usage of GNOME 43, many apps have been converted to GTK4 and libadwaita for improved performance, including the default file manager - Nautilus.

Before we talk about the most important changes that come courtesy of GNOME, it's important to note why this is a great implementation. In Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, the implementation of GNOME was simply, well, awful.

In short, 22.04 LTS featured some new components of GNOME 42, and others from earlier versions of GNOME, which made it feel inconsistent and, at times, difficult to look at. This implementation of GNOME 43 is simply great, and it provides the users with the entirety of the GNOME experience, no compromises, no nothing.

This is probably one of the best changes in 22.10. The addition of quick toggle features provides you with quicker access to system-related controls, and the differences between this version and the one in 22.04 are big. You can enable or disable the Wi-Fi, VPN, Bluetooth, Night Light, Airplane Mode, and the Dark Mode a lot easier than before.

The new quick toggles panel is also good for users who switch between audio input and output devices regularly. In short, fewer clicks means less time spent looking up stuff in the Settings menu. And, it looks more modern and more stylish as well.

Another great change. Whenever multiple windows of the same app are active, clicking the app's icon in the dock no presents a dynamic overview. It's not entirely groundbreaking and NOT a lot different from the old version, but it's a lovely UX tweak that is more in line with what this new version of Ubuntu's desktop wants to be.

The new version of Nautilus is not fully adaptive, making resizing windows a lot more satisfying and a lot more practical (with the sidebar that disappears and pops up upon mouse hover). The list view is a lot better than what it was before, there are more options for users who often attack USB drives or SD cards (or other external storage device units), and a redesigned Properties dialog.

With 22.10, Ubuntu is moving to Pipewire, which replaces the legendary PulseAudio, which has been the default sound engine for Ubuntu for as long as most of us can remember (the last time Ubuntu made a similar change was back in Ubuntu 8.04 LTS).

The change is welcome since it also brings a lot of performance improvements, and more importantly, it has more active development, fewer bugs than PulseAudio, and enhanced hardware compatibility.

Ubuntu now supports WebP image format out of the box in both the file manager and in its native photo viewer. Ubuntu 22.10 also uses Linux kernel version 5.19 which brings a series of awesome improvements, including some nice GPU usage improvements.

Ubuntu 22.10 also gets high-resolution scroll wheel support in Wayland and Xorg sessions, as well as multi-monitor direct scanout (thanks to a new version of Mutter).

This is always the question when any new Ubuntu version comes out, isn't it? Should I update? Is it worth it?

This is an interim release, meaning it only has support for 9 months. You'll get access to all the latest little features and tweaks, but you'll lose a lot of support in the process.

Of course, only you know what's the right answer, but we have to say that this is probably one of the best interim releases from recent years, especially after Ubuntu somewhat dropped the ball on the previous release (22.04 LTS) with its not-that-good implementation of GNOME.

A great release, and if you're keen to see what the future of Ubuntu looks like, definitely give it a try.