Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS First Alpha With COSMIC Desktop Is Released

Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Alpha with COSMIC Desktop: A First Look

System76 has released the first alpha version of its highly anticipated COSMIC desktop environment, bundled with Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS. This initial release, built using the Rust programming language, offers a glimpse into COSMIC's potential as a compelling alternative to established desktop environments.

COSMIC boasts a modern design, enhanced theming capabilities, and a modular applet system. While still in its early stages and experiencing some minor issues, this alpha release demonstrates a promising foundation.

Key COSMIC Features:

COSMIC prioritizes stability, security, and performance through its Rust foundation. It maintains a familiar user experience for Pop!_OS users while offering room for future enhancements. Key features include:

• Rust-based Development: Ensuring stability, security, and performance.
• Refined User Interface: A familiar experience with room for future growth.
• Wayland-First Design: Primarily designed for Wayland, with XWayland support for legacy applications.
• Modern Features: Auto-tiling, enhanced theming, and a suite of new core applications (file manager, terminal, text editor).

What's New in COSMIC Epoch 1 (Alpha 1):

This alpha release introduces several notable features:

• New Design Language and Theming: A customizable theming system allowing for user-created and shareable themes (primarily affecting COSMIC and its native apps).
• Horizontal Workspaces: Adds horizontal workspace support alongside existing vertical workspaces.
• Modular Panel Applets: Independent applet processes enhance stability and customization of the dock and top bar.

• New Core Applications: Includes a new file manager, terminal, text editor, settings app, and Pop Store.

Further improvements include enhanced dock and top bar customization, streamlined auto-tiling, and sticky windows. COSMIC's design allows for adaptability and customization by other Linux distributions.

Work in Progress and Future Plans:

While the alpha release provides core functionality, several features remain under development, including:

• Incomplete Settings: Many settings pages (sound, user accounts, network, accessibility, default applications) are still under construction.
• Compositor Enhancements: Features like DPMS, frosted glass effects, variable refresh rate support, HDR, and Night Light are planned.
• Additional Features: Accessibility features, calendar integration, and improvements to workspace management and animations are on the roadmap.

System76 aims to release "Epoch 2" within a year, adding features like touchscreen support.

Downloading Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS Alpha with COSMIC:

To experience COSMIC Epoch 1 (Alpha 1), visit the COSMIC download page. ISOs are available for Intel/AMD and Nvidia hardware. Early testing on Proxmox VE indicates reasonable performance, with reports suggesting even better performance on physical hardware.

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