Canonical’s recent release of Ubuntu 24.10 Oracular Oriole has captured the attention of the Linux community with its array of new features and enhancements aimed at improving user experience and security. The latest version of Ubuntu’s flagship operating system boasts an updated kernel, new toolchains, and the GNOME 47 desktop environment, all wrapped in significant improvements in software security.
Mark Shuttleworth, CEO of Canonical, expressed his excitement about the release, noting that Oracular Oriole signifies a new era in delivering the latest upstream kernel and toolchains. He emphasized the company’s dedication to enhancing the Linux desktop experience through experimental security features that are designed to elevate user privacy and system security for years to come.
One of the key highlights of Ubuntu 24.10 is the enhanced security controls, which offer users greater control and transparency over how applications interact with their systems. The introduction of permissions prompting as an experimental feature in Ubuntu Desktop 24.10 enables users to finely control snap application permissions, enforcing sandboxing and regulating access at the system call level. This meticulous monitoring ensures that every action taken by applications requires user approval, even for those unaware of this mediation. The Security Center in Ubuntu Desktop 24.10 serves as the hub for activating this feature, initially focusing on home directory permissions with plans to expand to include additional prompting options and tools for managing firewalls and encryption.
Furthermore, Ubuntu 24.10 extends its support for various toolchains, showcasing the latest versions of Python, Java, Go, C, C++, Rust, and .Net. Notably, the addition of versioned Rust packages caters to both distro component and enterprise application developers, enabling tailored development requirements by offering specific Rust versions. OpenJDK 21 and OpenJDK 17 packages are now TCK certified across multiple architectures, ensuring compliance with Java SE standards and promoting interoperability and conformance.
The integration of Valkey, a high-performance open-source key/value data store, in Ubuntu 24.10 provides users with a versatile solution for handling various workloads, including caching and message queues. Valkey’s robust features, such as replication for high availability and data redundancy, make it a valuable addition to Ubuntu’s ecosystem, ensuring long-term support and accessibility for users.
GNOME 47 takes center stage in Ubuntu Desktop 24.10, offering an array of user experience improvements, enhanced performance, and stability. The switch to Wayland as the default display server for NVIDIA graphics systems, coupled with transparent snap updates and improved support for Progressive Web Applications, elevates the overall usability of the operating system.
In conclusion, Ubuntu 24.10 Oracular Oriole stands as a testament to Canonical’s commitment to innovation and community-driven development. With a focus on security, performance, and versatility, this latest release cements Ubuntu’s position as a leading player in the Linux desktop landscape. Users can now download Ubuntu 24.10 Oracular Oriole and experience the cutting-edge features and improvements firsthand.