Linux / Unix

EndeavourOS Neo's successor, Mercury, arrived yesterday with the Linux kernel 6.13, Xfce 4.20, Firefox 135.0, Nvidia 570.86.16-3, a memory test for EFI, a default dark theme in KDE, Gnome, Xfce, Mate, Budgie, and Cinnamon, as well as many other tweaks and fixes. The version number of the update is 2025.02.08.

Lenovo has only just started shipping the Legion Go S in the US running Windows. While a SteamOS variant is coming later this year, Bazzite is already showing itself to be a viable and more powerful alternative for those who have picked up the Windows version.

Valve has stressed that there is nothing in recent rumours about it working with AMD to create a new device built around RDNA 4 hardware. The confirmation arrives just a month after the company was forced to shut down suggestions that it is planning to offer a Ryzen Z2 version of the Steam Deck.

The Manjaro-based Mabox Linux is back with update 25.02, which includes the barely released Firefox 135 and various package updates. The Linux kernel used is now 6.6.65, up from the 6.6.47 release, which was present in the 24.12 Mabox update. The Nvidia driver also got updated, as well as Samba, GTK, and a few others.

In addition to smaller changes such as credit card information autofill, certificate transparency enforcement, or additional language support for Firefox Translations, the latest version of Mozilla's web browser comes with AI chatbot access. This optional feature rolls out progressively, so it might not be available for many users yet.

New findings of Valve working to improve Linux graphics drivers for AMD's RDNA 4 architecture have sparked speculation about the possibility of an Xbox or PlayStation rival running SteamOS. Those who were quick to amplify the rumours may have jumped the gun slightly, though.

It seems that Anbernic is not done with the RG34XX just yet. In fact, a new leak suggests that two new versions of the Anbernic RG34XX are on the way, likely before the rumoured RG34XX SP.

Available with the same generous selection of desktop environments as before, PorteuX 1.9 comes with the 6.13.1 Linux kernel, CUPS support for GTK3, as well as multiple fixes. The list of updated packages includes Cinnamon 6.4.6, GNOME 47.3, the Nvidia driver 570.86.16, and many others.

Born in 2008 and developed by a former NetBSD developer as a testbed for the XBPS package manager, Void Linux received a new update yesterday. Labeled 20250202, this release introduces support for Apple Silicon, Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, and Pinebook Pro, alongside optimized Raspberry Pi images, several fixes, and more.

CheckMag The impending end of Windows 10 support (October 2025) means that many users may have to switch to a different OS. Alternative operating systems such as Linux and ChromeOS Flex can be tested on your own PC without affecting the existing Windows installation.

The R36 Max is a new retro gaming handheld from Game Console. Based around a 4-inch and 1:1 display, the device also contains a pair of joysticks and some rather strange design decisions.

Miyoo has only just started selling the Flip as a smaller alternative to the established Anbernic RG35XX SP. Nonetheless, a Miyoo Flip V2 has already been outlined by a reliable source, which could arrive much sooner than expected.

CheckMag There are a number of tools which allow you to leverage your own AI image generator without relying on cloud services, which are often paid and come with a whole host of limitations. However, Invoke AI lets you run a range of models and tools including Stable Diffusion, enabling you to generate pretty much anything you can think of. Decent results can be achieved with modest hardware and a relatively recent GPU. Here's how to get started.

According to various sources, Anbernic is actively developing a successor to last year's RG35XX SP. While the so-called RG34XX SP may borrow a 3:2 display from the RG34XX for 2x integer scaling of GBA games, it is reputed to do away with the Allwinner H700 chipset for a healthy performance boost.

The R36S Plus is a rather strange gaming handheld all things considered. With a 360-degree d-pad and 4 GB of RAM, the device is quite unlike other retro options. A mere 1,200 mAh battery capacity holds it back, though.

There is a mini PC for everyone - even those who prefer Linux out of the box. The System76 Meerkat mini PC has been updated with Intel's Meteor Lake CPUs, along with substantially faster memory and a whopping 16 TB of maximum storage.

The SU-10 is another unconventional gaming handheld produced by Game Console. Rather than ripping off its rivals, Game Console has opted for a strange form factor that resembles a racing wheel.

Facebook's parent company, Meta, has blocked posts mentioning Linux, citing cybersecurity concerns. Meta confirmed after manual review that Linux is on the list of cybersecurity-related topics, and it will seemingly remain so until further notice.

This means that data centers around the world could save several terawatt-hours of energy with just 30 lines of code.

The anyon_e is a new open-source laptop with a high-resolution AMOLED display that should be suitable for casual gaming. The notes also sports an aluminum chassis and is equipped with a 60Wh battery.

Available with several desktop choices, including Budgie and Xfce, the rolling release distro Solus returns with version 4.7 Endurance. Only available for 64-bit hardware, Solus 4.7 includes multiple package updates, a new software center with out-of-the-box Flatpak support, as well as improved video card compatibility.

Lenovo will not begin shipping the SteamOS version of the Legion Go S for a few months yet. In the meantime, a well-regarded SteamOS alternative has added support for the Windows version of the device to provide a Steam Deck-like experience ahead of schedule.

Various details about a new Powkiddy gaming handheld have surfaced online. Allegedly set for release soon, the so-called Powkiddy V20 slots into the company's line-up with an Allwinner A133P chipset, a 480p display and a comparatively large 5,000 mAh battery.

The Liberux Nexx is a new smartphone that comes with decent specs and is designed with security and privacy in mind. Using Linux as the OS, the developers also hope to make a statement against the common practice of planned obsolescence and make the smartphone as future proof as possible.

Carrying the codename "Xia" and to be supported until 2029, Linux Mint 22.1 arrived yesterday with modernized APT dependencies by transitioning to Aptkit and Captain, Power-saver and Balanced modes (Performance mode only on supported systems), Night Light, Cinnamon 6.4 with improved Wayland compatibility, and more.

Although it comes with the same Linux kernel as its predecessor, namely 6.11, the latest Tuxedo OS update sports the latest KDE Plasma update, as well as Vim 9.1, QT 6.8.1, and Firefox 134.0.1. The LibreOffice package also got a minor update, from 24.8.0 to 24.8.3. Several other components were also updated.

CheckMag When I got the notification that my Nighthawk R7000 reached "end of life" I started down the rabbit hole of looking to install custom firmware to keep what is otherwise perfectly functioning hardware secure. While I didn't manage to keep my R7000 in service, I did find this hidden gem of a router.

Based on the Debian 12.9 "Bookworm" base, MX Linux 23.5 includes the Xfce 4.20 core packages and multiple other updates, including visual tweaks and security fixes. The Xfce, KDE, and Fluxbox ISOs come with the 6.1.123 kernel, while AHS takes advantage of the 6.12.8 liquorix core.

A new gaming handheld is now available with a 4:3 display at a bargain price. Available for $59.99, the device comes in a variety of colour options, including two translucent variants.

The Irish Debian-based live Linux distro focused on providing solid Internet anonymity and security is back with version 6.11. This release of Tails comes with several critical security fixes, as well as the ability to detect corrupted USB sticks before enabling the Persistent Storage feature.

Targeting experienced users and drawing inspiration from CRUX, Venom Linux has returned with its desktop based on the Openbox window manager alongside a text-mode installer. Version 20250108 sports the 6.12.8 Linux kernel, MESA 24.3.3, Wayland 1.23.1, and more. The list of options now also includes the s6 init system.

The Mecha Comet is a versatile modular handheld designed to let users play video games and build their own projects. The device features a touchscreen, a camera and an M.2 slot.

Lenovo expands its ThinkPad portfolio with a new series: The Lenovo ThinkPad X9 leaves the typical ThinkPad design behind to attack the Apple MacBook Air. For this, Lenovo trusts on the efficiency of Intel Lunar Lake, a big haptic trackpad and OLED screen.

Moving up to the 6.12.8 kernel version, Arch-based Bluestar Linux returns with a minor update. This release includes the bugfix update for KDE Plasma 6, which is labeled 6.2.5, as well as e2fsprogs 1.47.2, which is still in beta and replaces the stable 1.47.1 version from Bluestar 6.12.7.

Arch-based German distro Bluestar Linux is back with multiple package updates on top of a new kernel. The kernel version is 6.12.7, while the list of updates includes Firefox 133.0.3, LibreOffice 24.8.4, Vim 9.1, VLC 3.0.21, Python 3.13.1, and many others.

The 3D-printed VR headset for mice runs the Godot game engine using a Raspberry Pi 4. During research experiments, mice can walk virtual worlds endlessly. MouseGoggles also eliminates the tedious task of building real mouse mazes.

Zenwalk Linux "Santa Claus" edition (current-241227) comes with a few noticeable package updates and new additions, such as Firefox 133, Perl 5.40, Wayland 1.23.1, and more. Overall, it sports the same changes as the latest Slackware refresh. The Xfce 4.20 update also comes with multiple tweaks and fixes.

Based on Sid (the unstable Debian version), siduction has been around for over a decade with multiple desktop choices. Sadly, version 2024.1.0 discontinues three flavors, namely GNOME, MATE, and Cinnamon. The main highlight is KDE Plasma 6 and it comes in five flavors: KDE, LXQt, Xfce, Xorg, and no X.

The 13th release of the year, which is also the last one of 2024, speeds up and further enhances the security provided by CachyOS while also improving compatibility thanks to RustiCL, which replaces the default OpenCL driver. Additionally, CachyOS 241221 comes with the Bluetooth service enabled by default.

Grml, an Austrian Linux distribution based on Debian, has returned with version 2024.12. While it drops x86 support, this update is the first to bring this minimal, live Linux distro to 64-bit ARM hardware. In addition to these, Grml 2024.12 also comes with fresh Debian 13 software packages alongside many minor tweaks and fixes.

System76 has significantly revised its Pangolin laptop. The model comes with aluminum housing and a powerful APU from AMD. The model supports up to 16 TB of storage and 96 GB of RAM.

The final release of the year sees Kali Linux dropping support for 32-bit kernels while sporting GNOME 47 and Python 3.12. Additionally, the update labeled 2024.4 comes with 14 new tools, a major refresh to the Kali NetHunter store and website, as well as more supported devices, pushing the list up to a total of 100.

This year's last major update, labeled 2.43 "Storm Warning" by Gaijin, brings quite a few exciting pieces of military hardware to War Thunder. Alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale jets, this refresh also brings the M44 and PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, several ships, the Attica location for ground battles, and more.

After more than two decades in development, the service management daemon GNU Shepherd has finally reached the 1.0-labeled milestone. Its highlights include transient and timed services, log rotation, integrated logging, as well as improved service insights. Additionally, the deprecated GOOPS interface is now gone.

Integrating Firefox and Thunderbird with GNOME components on top of the Window Maker window manager and a Debian core, Window Maker Live is a live Linux distro that has just moved from version 0.96.0-0 to 12.8. As its name suggests, this update comes with all the goodies from the Debian 12.8 "Bookworm" release.

Linux distro openSUSE has just announced that GPU switching is now built into all of its distributions. Users rejoice, as they no longer have to rely on alternative methods to get the most out of their multi-GPU systems.

Arch-based Manjaro Linux is back with an update that relies on the new LTS Linux kernel, which is 6.12. This refresh, with version number 24.2 and known as "Yonada," is available in three editions. These are GNOME 47.2, KDE Plasma 6.2, and Xfce 4.18. The embedded versions and community editions have not been updated yet.

Since openSUSE Leap Micro 6.1 has arrived, Leap Micro 5.5 has also reached EOL (End of Life). The update comes with a new opensuse-migration-tool, soft-reboot support, 2FA for PAM logins, vhostmd for SAP virtualization, and more. The downloadable images start below 1 GB (preconfigured) and go as high as 2.3 GB (VMware).

Linux kernel 6.12 has been named as the next LTS, or long-term-support, kernel version. This landmark kernel release includes a wide range of new features, and will now be officially supported by the core Linux kernel maintenance team until at least December of 2026.