The latest release of System76's COSMIC Alpha 4, nicknamed the "festive update", brings many new features and improvements.
This Rust-based desktop environment designed for Pop!_OS and other Linux distributions is inching closer to its first beta release and is already generating quite a buzz.
Let's take a look at the highlights of this exciting update.
Table of Contents
Personalisation and Control at Your Fingertips
COSMIC Alpha 4 focuses on giving users more control over their desktop experience.
1. Region & Language Settings:
The Region & Language Settings section is added to COSMIC. Users can now set their language preferences and formatting for date, time, and numbers.
2. Default Applications Settings:
This new settings page lets users choose their preferred applications for various tasks, such as web browsing, file management, and media playback.
3. Display Power Management Settings:
Users can now fine-tune their display's power-saving settings, including idle timeouts and automatic suspend durations.
4. Variable Refresh Rate (VRR):
Gamers and multimedia enthusiasts will appreciate the inclusion of VRR support in the cosmic-comp compositor and Display Settings. This feature prevents screen tearing and ensures a smoother visual experience.
Enhanced Accessibility and Application Updates
1. Accessibility Applet & Screenreader Support:
The new Accessibility applet introduces a toggle for screenreader support, enhancing accessibility for users with visual impairments.
While still in early development, screenreading functionality is already available for COSMIC Settings, Firefox, and GNOME applications.
2. COSMIC Store Updates:
The COSMIC Store receives a handy update that allows users to track the progress of updates and app installations via a detailed context menu.
3. COSMIC Media Player:
Alpha 4 hints at the development of a new Rust-based media player called COSMIC Media Player, promising an exciting addition to the COSMIC application suite in future releases.
You can install it using command:
sudo apt install cosmic-player
Addressing Bugs and Performance Issues
COSMIC Alpha 4 also brings a number of bug fixes and performance improvements. These include:
- Resolutions for high CPU usage.
- Fixes for window freezing issues, particularly after migrating to a hotplugged monitor.
- Improvements to panel applet stability and memory management.
- Enhanced security measures to prevent system vulnerabilities.
- Addressing various user interface glitches and inconsistencies.
Install COSMIC in Linux
For those eager to try out the latest COSMIC Alpha 4, installation and update instructions can be found on the System76 website.
We already have covered the steps to installing COSMIC desktop environment on Fedora Linux. If you're interested to try COSMIC in Fedora, have a look at the link below.
The Road Ahead
With its focus on customisation, accessibility, and stability, COSMIC Alpha 4 is yet another significant milestone in the development of this innovative desktop environment.
While still in alpha, COSMIC is rapidly maturing. The developers are actively working on completing remaining settings pages, implementing new features like desktop zoom and frosted effects, and refining the overall user experience.
For more details, refer to the official announcement:
