A Week in KDE: Enhanced Features and Polished updates
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The development of KDE Plasma 6.3 is progressing steadily, with developers focusing on refining existing features and introducing subtle yet impactful improvements.While many major innovations are reserved for Plasma 6.4, the current iteration brings several noteworthy updates that enhance usability and accessibility.
One of the standout additions is the improved time zone selection, which now features a new visual interface complete with a world map. This update makes it easier for users to manage their time settings with precision. additionally, the manual session recovery option has been streamlined. Users can now save their session instantly via the Kickoff menu, eliminating the need for a restart.The Breeze Dark theme has also received attention,with developer Thomase Duckwortha making it even darker for a more immersive experience. Simultaneously occurring, the media player widget now allows users to scroll through songs without manually dragging the scroll bar, offering a smoother interaction.
In the task manager widget, task scrolling has been disabled by default to address user complaints about accidental switching. However, those who prefer this feature can easily re-enable it.
Usability Enhancements and Bug Fixes
The context menus have been rearranged to prioritize frequently used items, improving overall usability. The volume widget now includes a hamburger menu when used independently, while Spectacle provides detailed tooltips about modifier key functionalities.
On the bug-fixing front, 124 reports were resolved last week. Notable fixes include addressing KWin crashes on X11,resolving Discover crashes when displaying unreviewed applications,and ensuring that secondary application windows appear correctly in the Alt-Tab switcher. For a complete overview of these updates, visit the KDE project website.
The second beta version of Plasma 6.3 is now available, further enhancing support for systemd-homed.
Nvidia Legacy Drivers: Maxwell,pascal,and Volta Generations
nvidia is transitioning its support for older GPU generations,including Maxwell (GTX 900 and GTX 750),Pascal (GTX 1000),and Volta (Titan cards),to legacy mode. This move follows the earlier shift of the Kepler generation (GTX 600 and 700) to legacy status.
The decision aligns with Nvidia’s focus on developing open-source kernel modules for newer generations,such as the upcoming GeForce RTX 5090. This transition simplifies development by concentrating on GPUs that utilize the GPU System Processor (GSP) initialization logic. For more details, check out Phoronix’s coverage.
GNOME Showtime Video Player Delayed Until GNOME 49
GNOME users will have to wait a bit longer for the Showtime video player, as its GTK4 development has been delayed. The current GNOME 48 will continue to rely on the older Toto player, which is built on GTK3. The delay is partly due to pending support within the GStreamer package, which is essential for the player’s functionality.
Key Updates in KDE Plasma 6.3
| Feature | Description |
|—————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Improved time Zone Selection | New visual interface with a world map for precise time zone management. |
| Manual Session Recovery | Save sessions immediately via the Kickoff menu without restarting.|
| Breeze Dark theme | Enhanced darkness for a more immersive experience. |
| Media Player Widget | Scroll through songs without manually dragging the scroll bar. |
| Task Manager Widget | Task scrolling disabled by default to prevent accidental switching. |
| Bug Fixes | 124 reports resolved, including KWin and Discover crash fixes. |
These updates underscore KDE’s commitment to delivering a polished and user-pleasant experience. For the latest developments, explore the second beta version of plasma 6.3.
Stay tuned for more updates as KDE continues to refine its ecosystem, ensuring a seamless and modern desktop experience for users worldwide.
Showtime Delayed to GNOME 49, AMD Unveils AMDGPU Composition Stack
The open-source world is buzzing with two major developments this week: the delay of Showtime’s integration into GNOME and AMD’s surprising introduction of the AMDGPU Composition Stack (ACS), a new Wayland compositor tailored for AMD GPUs.
Showtime Misses GNOME 48, Pushed to GNOME 49
Showtime, the highly anticipated feature for GNOME, has hit a snag. Developer Sophie Herold states that unresolved issues have forced the team to postpone its release. Originally slated for GNOME 48, Showtime will now debut with GNOME 49 alpha, expected in September.
this delay underscores the challenges of integrating complex features into open-source projects. While disappointing for eager users,the extra time ensures a polished and functional release.
AMDGPU composition Stack: A Game-Changer for Wayland
In a bold move,AMD has unveiled the AMDGPU Composition Stack (ACS),a new Wayland compositor designed to maximize the potential of AMD GPUs. As Phoronix reports, ACS is a fork of the Weston reference compositor, but with enterprising enhancements tailored for corporate and commercial use.
The project aims to deliver features like HDCP, VRR/FreeSync, MPO with underlays, and full-screen HDR video with tone mapping. It also includes support for TMZ, Secure Display, and virtualization, making it a robust platform for enterprise applications.
While ACS could benefit devices like the steam Deck, its primary focus is on corporate customers. AMD’s detailed roadmap highlights its commitment to innovation in the Wayland ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
| Topic | Details |
|—————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Showtime Delay | Postponed to GNOME 49 alpha, expected in september 2024. |
| AMDGPU Composition Stack | A new Wayland compositor for AMD GPUs,focusing on corporate applications. |
| ACS Features | HDCP,VRR/FreeSync,HDR video,TMZ,Secure Display,and virtualization. |
what’s Next?
The delay of Showtime highlights the importance of thorough development in open-source projects. Meanwhile, AMD’s ACS could revolutionize the Wayland landscape, offering unparalleled performance and features for AMD GPU users.
Stay tuned for updates on these exciting developments. For more insights into open-source innovations, follow Phoronix and explore the latest in tech advancements.
What are your thoughts on these updates? Share your opinions and join the conversation below!
Interview: Insights on Showtime Delay and AMDGPU Composition Stack
Editor: Today, we’re diving into two major developments in the open-source world: the delay of Showtime’s integration into GNOME and AMD’s introduction of the AMDGPU Composition Stack. Joining us is Sophie Herold, a key developer involved in the Showtime project. Sophie, thank you for being here. Let’s start with Showtime. Can you explain why its release has been delayed?
Sophie Herold: Thank you for having me. The delay is primarily due to unresolved technical challenges, particularly with the GStreamer package.GStreamer is essential for the player’s functionality, and we’ve encountered some compatibility issues with GTK4. While we initially aimed for GNOME 48, we decided to push the release to GNOME 49 to ensure a polished and functional experience for users.
Editor: That makes sense.How does this delay impact GNOME users who were eagerly awaiting Showtime?
Sophie Herold: It’s certainly disappointing for users who were looking forward to the new Showtime video player. Though, the upside is that this extra time allows us to address critical bugs and ensure a smoother integration. For now, GNOME 48 will continue to rely on the older Toto player, which is built on GTK3.
Editor: Switching gears, let’s talk about AMD’s recent announcement of the AMDGPU Composition Stack (ACS). What are your thoughts on this new Wayland compositor?
Sophie Herold: It’s an exciting growth! The ACS is a bold move by AMD,tailored specifically for their GPUs. With features like HDCP, VRR/FreeSync, and support for HDR video, it has the potential to substantially enhance the Wayland experience for AMD users. While it’s primarily focused on corporate applications, I can see it benefiting devices like the Steam Deck as well.
Editor: what do you think this means for the broader Wayland ecosystem?
Sophie herold: The ACS could be a game-changer. It demonstrates AMD’s commitment to innovation in the Wayland space and addresses some long-standing limitations. By introducing features like Secure Display and virtualization support, it opens up new possibilities for enterprise use cases. This could encourage other GPU vendors to invest more in Wayland development, benefiting the entire ecosystem.
Editor: Looking ahead, what can users expect from both GNOME and AMD in the coming months?
Sophie Herold: for GNOME, we’re focused on delivering Showtime with GNOME 49 alpha, expected in September. We’re also working on other enhancements to improve the overall user experience. As for AMD, their detailed roadmap suggests that they’re just getting started with ACS. I’m excited to see how it evolves and the impact it will have on the industry.
Editor: Thank you, Sophie, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that both GNOME and AMD are working on exciting advancements, even if it means some delays along the way.
Sophie Herold: Absolutely.Delays can be frustrating, but they’re often necessary to ensure a high-quality product. I’m confident that both showtime and the AMDGPU Composition Stack will be worth the wait.
Conclusion
The delay of Showtime highlights the complexities of integrating advanced features into open-source projects, while AMD’s ACS showcases the potential for innovation in the Wayland ecosystem.Both developments underscore the importance of thorough development and long-term vision in delivering a seamless user experience. Stay tuned for more updates as these projects continue to evolve.
