Experience Ubuntu Linux 2310: Unleashing the Power of the 'Mantic Minotaur'

Ubuntu 23.10, also known as Mantic Minotaur, has been released by Canonical. It can be downloaded for free from the official Ubuntu website. This update comes with numerous new features and updates in anticipation of the next Long-Term Support (LTS) release in the upcoming year. According to a blog post by Canonical, the focus of this release is to incorporate significant changes to gather feedback for further refinement before the arrival of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Ubuntu 23.10 features the GNOME 45 desktop environment, which was recently launched. This update brings various enhancements to the desktop, such as a new workspace indicator, full-height sidebars in selected system apps, and several improvements for enhanced usability. Additionally, Ubuntu introduces a new App Center, replacing Ubuntu Software, facilitating the installation of Snap packages and Debian-based software packages. Notably, the App Center does not support Flatpak packages as Canonical continues to support its own Snap packages over Flatpak. To optimize resource usage, firmware updates are now handled through a separate app, reducing background resource consumption.

Canonical is also touting its support for the upcoming Raspberry Pi 5, marking the first instance of a Raspberry Pi device being shipped with Ubuntu already pre-installed. Ubuntu 23.10 further offers comprehensive disk encryption with the utilization of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) on a PC, eliminating the need for a passphrase to unlock the drive with each startup. This feature is primarily aimed at organizations and businesses deploying Ubuntu PCs; however, it is not yet compatible with devices that require additional drivers, such as PCs equipped with NVIDIA graphics cards. The company has expressed its commitment to expanding hardware support in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, stating, "We strive to provide support for an extensive range of hardware."

Ubuntu 23.10 is now accessible on the Ubuntu website, and the update is being distributed for Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Cinnamon, Ubuntu Unity, and other official versions. For further information on the alterations, please refer to our dedicated Ubuntu 23.10 feature roundup.