GNOME 43 Is Almost Here! Here’s What You Can Expect
GNOME 43 has almost arrived, with the beta already released on August 6, 2022. Although it is not a finished product, it provides a glimpse of what to expect from the stable release which is due in September 2022.
GNOME 43 brings a number of cool features and updates with a focus heavily on visual enhancements making the UI more user-friendly and efficient.
1. Changes to the Nautilus File Manager
With GTK4 and libadwaita, File Manager now has a fresher, cleaner appearance.
A major visual change in GNOME 43 includes the Nautilus File Manager’s adaptive design for a better and improved experience on mobile devices. When you shrink the size of File Manager, the sidebar automatically collapses. To display it again, click theShow Sidebaricon on the top left side of the toolbar.
Emblems or badges arrived again with small square icons beside the files and directories which show their properties (such as read-only, write-protected, symbolic links). Multiple emblems are allowed both in the grid and list view modes. Moreover, the emblems change their colors based on the native theme ofGNOME.
The list view has been improved with more spaces between items. In addition, when you hover the mouse pointer over the items, you will see a highlighted row with a semi-transparent block. The most awaited rubber band feature is also included to allow users to drag and select files.
Along with these, there are plenty of other additions which might look get unnoticed by a casual user, but they collectively give a nice and fresh look to File Manager.
2. Support for Web Apps and WebExtensions
WebExtensions allow extended functionalities of a web browser. GNOME 43 is bringing initial support for WebExtensions to GNOME Web Epiphany. Now Epiphany users will be able to use some of Firefox’s most popular extensions on their browser natively.
GNOME 43 is also revamping web app support to GNOME Software so thatweb apps installed via Epiphanywill also show up in GNOME Software.
3. Redesigned System Menu
The System Menu you see when you click the top-right corner of your desktop is now redesigned. It now features toggle buttons making it easier for you to turn on/off common settings like power saver mode, Internet connection, dark mode, Airplane mode, etc.
4. Addition of Device Security Panel
GNOME 43 Settings has added aDevice Securitysection which gives information about the security of hardware and firmware and warns users about any security issues with their device. Some of the information it provides include:
Other Improvements in GNOME 43
There are plenty of other additions and improvements to GNOME 43 which include the redesignedAboutandPropertiesdialogs, a newPropertiesmenu for the Trash icon, and the addition of a sidebar featuring the date chooser and agenda view in theCalendarapp.
You’ll also find support for importing and exporting of VCard files inContacts, and screenshot functionality inGNOME Webfor capturing screenshots using the context menu. Additionally, applications in the GNOME Software now include anOther Apps by Authorsection that shows a list of other applications created by the same author.
How to Try GNOME 43
The officialstable release of GNOME 43is expected around September 21, 2022. To try GNOME 43 beta, just download theinstaller imageand run it in theGNOME Boxes.
Get Ready for GNOME 43
The features and enhancements we have seen so far have shown us a glimpse of what the GNOME 43 stable release will look like. Although the big changes are already in place, still we can expect more little enhancements by the time GNOME 43 stable is released.
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