GNOME 50 has arrived, marking a significant release for the open-source Linux desktop. Unlike previous milestone releases that boast dramatic changes, GNOME 50 is all about polishing what works and making subtle improvements. The release focuses on under-the-hood changes, such as removing X11 support in favor of Wayland, which brings better performance, security, and modernity.
Key features include VRR support for smoother gaming, dGPU handling for better discrete GPU detection, a new thumbnail widget that’s faster than previous tools, and improved battery charge management. The release also includes enhanced search in the file manager, a new text size slider in the accessibility panel, and symbolic icons improvements.
GNOME 50 is systemd-homed, which simplifies user management by providing portable, self-contained, encrypted home directories. This change aims to make user management easier while maintaining security.
While GNOME 50 might not blow users away with blockbuster features, it delivers a smooth, elegant desktop experience through numerous minor updates that come together to enhance the overall user experience.
GNOME 50 is still in beta and can be tested by downloading a GNOME OS ISO using GNOME Boxes or on a spare machine. The release has received positive feedback from reviewers who praise its performance, security, and polish.
Overall, GNOME 50 is an impressive release that solidifies its position as one of the most user-friendly and efficient Linux desktops available.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-tested-gnome-50-beta-release