Canonical has officially released the beta version of Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin), providing early access to the latest features and improvements before the final release on April 17, 2025. This beta version includes several key updates, making it an exciting preview for users eager to test what’s next for Ubuntu.

Linux 6.14 and GNOME 48

Ubuntu 25.04 is powered by the newly released Linux 6.14 kernel, which delivers improved hardware support, enhanced power efficiency, and better performance. Additionally, it ships with the GNOME 48 desktop environment, introducing a more polished user experience, updated system settings, and various UI refinements.

Key Features and Enhancements

• Triple Buffering for Smoother Performance: Ubuntu 25.04 introduces a triple buffering feature, optimizing graphics rendering and significantly improving the desktop experience.

• New Default Document Viewer: Papers now replaces Evince as the default document viewer, offering a more modern and efficient way to view PDFs and other documents.

• Geolocation with BeaconDB: The inclusion of BeaconDB-powered geolocation services further enhances location-based features in Ubuntu.

• Improved Ubuntu Installer: The new installer now offers an option to replace an existing Ubuntu installation easily. Moreover, it improves dual-boot support, particularly for BitLocker-encrypted Windows systems.

Network and Connectivity Updates

• Netplan Enhancements: The latest Netplan version includes support for wpa-psk-sha256 Wi-Fi connections, along with the ability to configure routing policies within the NetworkManager backend.

• Systemd-Networkd-Wait-Online Improvements: The networking stack now ensures DNS servers are properly configured and reachable before marking an interface as online, which results in a more stable connection.

Software and Toolchain Updates

Ubuntu 25.04 also comes with an upgraded software stack, ensuring compatibility with the latest development tools.

• GIMP 3.0 is now available for installation from the repositories.

• LibreOffice 25.2 is included as the default office suite, bringing better document compatibility.

• Mozilla Firefox 136 is set as the default web browser, offering enhanced security and performance.

• Updated toolchain: This release includes GCC 14.2, GNU Binutils 2.44, GNU C Library 2.41, LLVM 20, Python 3.13.2, Rust 1.84, Go 1.24, OpenSSL 3.4, and many more essential components.

• New Terminal Shortcut: The xdg-terminal-exec package is now installed by default, making it easier than ever to open the terminal using Ctrl+Alt+T.

Availability and Supported Flavors

The Ubuntu 25.04 Beta is available in multiple flavors, including:

• Ubuntu Desktop

• Ubuntu Server

• Ubuntu Cloud

• Edubuntu

• Kubuntu

• Xubuntu

• Lubuntu

• Ubuntu Studio

• Ubuntu Unity

• Ubuntu Cinnamon

• Ubuntu Budgie

• Ubuntu Kylin

• Ubuntu MATE

Should You Try Ubuntu 25.04 Beta?

If you’re eager to explore the latest Ubuntu features, you can download the beta version from the official website. However, since this is a pre-release version, it is not recommended for use in production environments. That being said, testing the beta and providing feedback to Canonical can help refine the final release.

With all these improvements and refinements, Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) is shaping up to be an exciting release. Stay tuned for the official launch on April 17, 2025!

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