OMG ! Ubuntu !

#HandBrake 1.11 adds #ProRes, DNxHR encoders and MOV output
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/handbrake-update-prores-encoding

HandBrake, the free and open-source video transcoder, has just dropped its first major release of 2026 – adding new professional encoders, MOV output container and a considered clutch of Linux changes. Those of you who work to production standards will find the DNxHR and ProRes encoder support in HandBrake 1.11.0 the star addition. Both offer a range of presets, including standard, high-quality, and proxy variants at resolutions up to 4K. The new ProRes and DNxHR encoders, listed as “Production ProRes” and “Production DNxHR”, can output in a MOV container, new with this release. ProRes is most associated with Apple and, […] You’re reading HandBrake 1.11 adds ProRes, DNxHR encoders and MOV output, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #App_Updates #AV1

#Resources 1.10.2 fixes ‘implausible’ #Intel NPU values
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/resources-1-10-2-intel-npu-fixes

Several Intel NPU fixes land in the latest update to Resources, which Ubuntu is making the default system monitor in 26.04 LTS. Resources is a GTK4/libadwaita tool that shows more system usage, processes and hardware details than GNOME System Monitor, which it is replacing as Ubuntu’s default in the new LTS. The Resources v1.10 release at the start of February added (among other changes) support for AMD Neural Processing Units (NPUs). The app has supported usage for Intel NPUs since its v1.7.x release in late 2024. The v1.10.2 changelog resolves what is described as “implausible” usage values in Intel NPU […] You’re reading Resources 1.10.2 fixes ‘implausible’ Intel NPU values, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #AI/ML #App_Updates

Get Gmail alerts on Ubuntu without a dedicated mail client
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/gnome-email-notifier-gmail-outlook

Pigeon #email Notifier is a GNOME Shell extension that does one thing: show a desktop notification when new mail arrives in your Gmail, Microsoft Outlook or IMAP webmail account. If you don’t want to leave a webmail tab open in Firefox, the overhead of a desktop email app like Thunderbird, or your provider doesn’t offer a desktop Linux app (like Fastmail and Proton Mail now do), Pigeon provides a set-and-forget way to still get new mail alerts. Desktop email notifiers have been around for a long time. I’ve written about many standalone tools, like Unity Mail, Popper and Mail Nag over […] You’re reading Get Gmail alerts on Ubuntu without a dedicated mail client, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #GNOME_Extensions

#Ubuntu_26.04_LTS adds Snap and web search to the Overview
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/ubuntu-2604-gnome-search-extensions

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ships with two new extensions installed and active by default, both adding search capabilities to the GNOME Shell Overview. Before you raise an eyebrow: this is not a revival of the Shopping Lens furore. That saw local file and app searches typed in Ubuntu’s then-Unity desktop piped off to third parties (anonymised, but still dodgy enough to earn Canonical a ‘Big Brother’ award). The first new extension is Web Search Provider. This lets you initiate a web search on Google straight from the GNOME Shell Overview. ‘Initiate’ is the important term here as search terms made in […] You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 LTS adds Snap and web search to the Overview, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #GNOME_Extensions

#Firefox Nova – our first look at the browser’s big redesign
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/firefox-nova-redesign

A new-look Firefox is on the way, with #Mozilla designers working on a ‘Nova’ redesign that introduces more curves and colour. First reported by tech blogger Söeren Hentzschel, who published several internal #design mockups, Nova gives Firefox a more rounded appearance: tabs and the address bar sport uniform radii, and sit in a segmented, floating island UI element. Everything nestles neatly. Elements like hover effects in the menu and parts of the New Tab Page are similarly rounded. If you look closely at the image above you’ll also spot a set of refreshed icons that (surprise!) are also less angular […] You’re reading Firefox Nova – our first look at the browser’s big redesign, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

#Linux_Mint shows off its new lock screen/screensaver
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/linux-mint-cinnamon-lock-screen-screensaver

Linux Mint is working on a redesigned screensaver and lock screen for the Cinnamon desktop. Based on our first look, it’s a solid improvement. If the word “screensaver” conjures flying star fields or photo slideshows, that’s fair, but in Cinnamon it also acts as the ‘screen locker’. In 2026, ‘saving’ the screen is less of a concern than ‘locking’ it, but many users enjoy seeing a pretty ‘idle’ display. Cinnamon’s new lock screen will, based on designs shared by Linux Mint, convey more information without you needing to unlock. Battery level, time and date, media player controls and unread notifications […] You’re reading Linux Mint shows off its new lock screen/screensaver, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

#xournal++ adds tablet-friendly toolbar mode
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/xournalpp-tablet-mode-ui

If you take handwritten notes on a Linux tablet, chances are that Xournal++ is already on your radar as its solid stylus support and touchscreen compatibility has earned it a loyal following among those who’d rather annotate PDFs or sketch diagrams than type everything out. One criticism that follows it around is its interface. It’s rather pointer-led; lots of menus, buttons and tiny hit targets in toolbars. It doesn’t prevent you from doing what you opened the app to do – write, draw, scrawl and markup – but it’s not ideal. Well, that’s what a new tablet mode toolbar configuration […] You’re reading Xournal++ adds tablet-friendly toolbar mode, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #App_Updates #linux_tablets #note_taking_apps

Memerist is a desktop meme generator for Linux
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/memerist-meme-generator-app-linux

The humble online image meme dead, or buried under AI slop? Memerist, a new native meme generator for Linux, landed on Flathub recently to help dig them out. Memerist is a native (GTK4/libadwaita) app for Linux desktop. It is technically an image editor with a focused set of features, geared to those who want a convenient, local tool to quickly create and share popular #memes. While the primary use case is for making memes, Memerist will open any image file. You can use it to add text and simple effects to anything – purist of a LOL or an upvote […] You’re reading Memerist is a desktop meme generator for Linux, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #Apps_on_Flathub

#GIMP 3.2 issues third release candidate with fresh fixes
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/gimp-3-2-third-release-candidate-fixes

GIMP 3.2 RC3 is now available for testing, giving users an opportunity to try the image editor’s upcoming features ahead of the stable release. As this is the third (and likely final) release candidate before GIMP 3.2 launches, the focus is on refinement. The developers say RC3 delivers “a number of bug fixes and final polishes”, improving on the new features added in earlier dev and beta builds. The changes mentioned below are from between RC2 to RC3, not from GIMP 3.0 to GIMP 3.2. If you’ve not tracked development, don’t think that what follows is an overview of what’s […] You’re reading GIMP 3.2 issues third release candidate with fresh fixes, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

Linux Release Roundup (February 2026)
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/03/linux-release-roundup-february-2026

February 2026 delivered a fresh batch of Linux app releases, with updates to VLC, GIMP, Vivaldi, and VirtualBox among the many that filtered out. I covered some of the month’s biggest releases with fully-featured articles, like Firefox 148 with AI ‘kill switch’, a more capable ONLYOFFICE 9.3 productivity suite and Typhoon’s Qt 6 port. They weren’t the only ones of note. Below, I roundup a fleet of February’s other software releases. Some updates were more of the modest maintenance variety, while others were more substantial new features. #ardour 9.2 finally arrived Ardour, the open-source digital audio workstation (DAW), saw its […] You’re reading Linux Release Roundup (February 2026), a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #App_Updates #Bazaar #LRR #Lutris

#OnlyOffice 9.3 makes document editing easier than ever
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/onlyoffice-9-3-desktop-editors-released

A new version of ONLYFFICE Desktop Editors, a open source office suite for Windows, macOS and Linux, is out with a fresh set of features and tools. ONLYOFFICE 9.3 adds more signature options for PDF forms, multipage view for documents, new solver tools and regex formulas in the spreadsheets and support for animated GIFs in presentation slides made with the suite’s PowerPoint equivalent. But there’s a less-obvious change lurking within that may have a more appreciable impact on day-to-day document editing. For a closer look at the changes this update brings, read on. ONLYOFFICE 9.3: Highlights ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors provide […] You’re reading ONLYOFFICE 9.3 makes document editing easier than ever, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #App_Updates

Ubuntu 26.04 Snapshot 4 is now available to download
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-2604-snapshot-4-download

Canonical’s engineers have announced the fourth and final #Monthly_Snapshot of Ubuntu 26.04, ahead of next month’s all important beta release. Ubuntu 26.04 Snapshot 4, like all other monthly snapshots, not a blessed build intended for mainstream usage. It’s a “throwaway artifact” that enables the distro’s engineers to fine-tune and hone a new automated build system. Compared to the January release of snapshot 3, there’s more ‘of note’ packed inside of this one, like the Linux 6.19 kernel and more GNOME 50 beta components (Mutter, Files, etc). In announcing the release of Snpshot 4, Canonical’s Utkarsh Gupta also notes Ubuntu […] You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 Snapshot 4 is now available to download, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #Ubuntu_26.04_LTS

Ubuntu 26.04 ‘Resolute Raccoon’ #Default_Wallpaper Unveiled
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-2604-resolute-raccoon-wallpaper

Ubuntu has unveiled the default wallpaper that will grace millions of screen in the upcoming 26.06 LTS ‘Resolute Raccoon’ release. As is tradition, the new desktop background features mascot artwork in the middle of a rich purple gradient. I shared the official mascot art with you a week ago. I though it looked great in isolation but here, sat against its gradient backdrop, it looks even better. One way the new design does deviate heavily from the past five wallpapers is in how it’s framed. Here, the Raccoon (in its circular sunburst) is surrounded by curved shapes. Previous wallpapers have […] You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 ‘Resolute Raccoon’ Default Wallpaper Unveiled, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #Ubuntu_26.04_LTS

Ubuntu 26.04 breaks a #sudo tradition older than most of its users
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-26-04-sudo-password-asterisks

Name: Password feedback in sudo. Age: New, but it’s absence is over 40 years old. Appearance: ******. What’s this about? When you run a command in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS using sudo and enter your password, you now see asterisks appear as you type. Previously you’d see nothing but a gaping black void reflecting your own uncertainty back at you. I always wondered why sudo didn’t show asterisks… You and a lot of other people. Linux Mint enables password feedback by default since, y’know, feedback is useful (unless it’s about why this strained article format is deathly unfunny). Not showing feedback is a behaviour that stretches […] You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 breaks a sudo tradition older than most of its users, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #Explainers

#typhoon #weather app clears up with Qt6 port
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/typhoon-weather-app-qt6-port

The forecast is looking Qt for fans of open-source weather app Typhoon, the latest update to which swaps its GTK3 backend for a more modern Qt 6. What’s interesting about this change in Typhoon 1.7.x is that it doesn’t impact the UI in any noticeable way. The app still uses a colourful, borderless window with optional transparency, and conveys weather forecast data via stark white text and glyphs. Archisman Panigrahi, Typhoon’s developer, says the Qt port was needed since GTK3 is being deprecated, but that rewriting the app in GTK4 was a non-starter given it ‘does not play well with […] You’re reading Typhoon weather app clears up with Qt6 port, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #App_Updates #qt_apps

Showtime video player edges closer to Ubuntu debut
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/showtime-video-player-ubuntu-2604-coming-soon

Those testing Ubuntu 26.04 daily builds or monthly snapshots may have noticed that Showtime, GNOME’s spiffy new video player, is not preinstalled in the ‘extended selection’, despite being announced as a replacement for Totem. It’s especially confusing since Resources system monitor, announced as a software swap the same time as Showtime, has been on the ISO for a while. Credits need not roll on hope yet, as Showtime could be making its debut soon. Its latest package upload to the resolute archives includes a change that goes some way to explaining why it’s not been present sooner. It reads: “Depend […] You’re reading Showtime video player edges closer to Ubuntu debut, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

Dynamic Music Pill puts a slick media controller in your GNOME panel
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/dynamic-music-pill-gnome-panel-media-controller

Dynamic Music Pill is a GNOME Shell extension that embeds a pill-shaped media controller into your desktop panel. It shows album art, artist name and track title alongside an animated waveform visualiser. Unashamedly blingy, but there’s nothing wrong in that (right?). The extension received an update today, which seem a good hook to actually take this off my “to write about” list. V20 adds a compact mode to hide all text; player filtering to add/ignore specific apps; and the option to set fallback album art for players/streams that don’t emit any. Dynamic Music Pill works with any MPRIS-compatible media player. […] You’re reading Dynamic Music Pill puts a slick media controller in your GNOME panel, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #Eye_Candy #GNOME_Extensions

#Firefox 148 Released with AI Kill Switch + More
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/firefox-148-released-ai-kill-switch

The Firefox 148 update sees its stable release today, bringing with it a much-request ‘AI kill switch’ to easily disable all AI-powered features within the browser. #Mozilla has said future updates to the browser will not re-enable AI features once disabled. Given that Mozilla now measures its success by how much revenue it makes from AI features in its products, Firefox included, that’s a reassuring stance. To disable AI features in Firefox go to Settings > AI Controls. Slide the ‘Block AI Enhancements’ toggle to turn off ChatGPT and other chatbots in the sidebar, AI link previews, the (supposedly) smart […] You’re reading Firefox 148 Released with AI Kill Switch + More, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #AI/ML #App_Updates

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will default to OpenJDK 25
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-2604-openjdk-25-default

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ‘Resolute Raccoon’ will use OpenJDK 25 as its default Java version. An expected change as OpenJDK 25 is a long-term support release, as Ubuntu 26.04 is, the bump brings various feature and performance improvements to developers over OpenJDK 21, the default version used in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS through 25.10. On Ubuntu, Java isn’t installed out of the box, but when you install default-jdk or default-jre (directly or indirectly as a dependency needed by other software) those meta-packages point to whichever OpenJDK version Canonical has blessed as current. In Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, that will be OpenJDK 25. Version 25 of OpenJDK, the […] You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will default to OpenJDK 25, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

#ghostty terminal is finally adding scrollbar support
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ghostty-linux-scrollbars-coming

Ghostty’s most-thumbed feature request is finally being answered. Yup, scrollbar support is finally coming in Ghostty 1.3 for Linux and macOS. You’re reading Ghostty terminal is finally adding scrollbar support, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

#News

Rudra is a new keyboard-driven launcher for GNOME Shell
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/rudra-gnome-keyboard-launcher

The world isn’t short on keyboard-based Linux launchers. Albert, Ulauncher, rofi and GNOME Do (if you’re old enough to remember that one) are among those I’ve written about in the past. Rudra is a new spin on this old staple – albeit without the extensibility dedicated quick launchers provide. What’s different here is that it’s implemented as a GNOME Shell extension, not a standalone app. The developer of Rudra, Nark Agni, describes it as a “lightning-fast, keyboard-centric launcher […] designed for power users”. Though inspired by Mac apps like Alfred and Raycast, it is far less capable than those. To […] You’re reading Rudra is a new keyboard-driven launcher for GNOME Shell, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News #app_launchers #GNOME_Extensions

#BleachBit 5.1.0 Beta adds cookie manager and expert mode
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/bleachbit-beta-cookie-manager-expert-mode

BleachBit 5.1.0 beta is out with a new cookie manager, expert mode to prevent accidental data loss, new browser support, and fixes for Linux users. You’re reading BleachBit 5.1.0 Beta adds cookie manager and expert mode, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

#News #App_Updates

#KDE_Plasma_6.6 Brings Screenshot OCR, App Volume Control + More
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/kde-plasma-6-6-released

KDE Plasma 6.6 is now available to download, adding text extraction to screenshots, per-app volume control in the taskbar and the ability to save custom themes. The update also introduces new components, including on-screen keyboard, login manager and OEM setup wizard. All are offered alternatives rather than replacements. This is the seventh major update to KDE Plasma 6 since Plasma 6.0 arrived in February 2024, which saw the popular Linux desktop environment ported to Qt 6. It is dedicated to the memory of KDE contributor Björn Balazs. Users of Ubuntu-based KDE Neon as well as rolling-release distributions like Arch will […] You’re reading KDE Plasma 6.6 Brings Screenshot OCR, App Volume Control + More, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without (...)

#News

Ubuntu 26.04 splits #firmware package to reduce update sizes
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-26-04-firmware-split

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will split its 600MB linux-firmware package into 17 vendor-specific packages to reduce bandwidth and download sizes of firmware updates. You’re reading Ubuntu 26.04 splits firmware package to reduce update sizes, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

#News #Ubuntu_26.04_LTS

Official Ubuntu 26.04 ‘Resolute Raccoon’ mascot revealed
▻https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2026/02/ubuntu-26-04-resolute-raccoon-mascot-download

Download the official Ubuntu 26.04 LTS ’Resolute Raccoon’ mascot as an SVG vector file to use in your custom wallpapers and personalised Ubuntu artwork. You’re reading Official Ubuntu 26.04 ‘Resolute Raccoon’ mascot revealed, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

#News