14 DAY TRIAL // After a long wait, Canonical released today the second point release of the Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) operating system, which is the first to include an HWE stack from a newer Ubuntu version, in this case Ubuntu 16.10.
As expected, Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS is nothing but a collection of all the latest security patches and software updates that have been released by Canonical for the long-term supported Ubuntu 16.04 (Xenial Xerus) series since the July 2016 launch of Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS.
However, this update is a bit special because it also includes updated graphics and kernel stacks ported from the Ubuntu 16.10 (Yakkety Yak) operating system series, which means that after updating your Ubuntu 16.04 or 16.04.1 system to Ubuntu 16.04.2, you'll have a newer kernel based on Linux 4.8.
Same goes for the updated graphics stack, which is now based on X.Org Server 1.18.4 and Mesa 12.0.6 3D Graphics Library, a major upgrade from Mesa 11.2.0 that's currently used by default in Ubuntu 16.04 and 16.04.1 LTS. However, you might want to use a newer Mesa from the 13.0 series if you are serious about gaming on Ubuntu.
"Like previous LTS series', 16.04.2 includes hardware enablement stacks for use on newer hardware. This support is offered on all architectures except for 32-bit powerpc, and is installed by default when using one of the desktop images. Ubuntu Server defaults to installing the GA kernel, however you may select the HWE kernel from the installer bootloader," said Adam Conrad in the mailing list announcement.
Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS ISO images now available for download
Official Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS ISO images are now available for download if you want to deploy the OS on new PCs or reinstall your system. You can also download the official flavors, including Kubuntu 16.04.2 LTS, Xubuntu 16.04.2 LTS, Lubuntu 16.04.2 LTS, Mythbuntu 16.04.2 LTS, Ubuntu Studio 16.04.2 LTS, Ubuntu MATE 16.04.2 LTS, Ubuntu GNOME 16.04.2 LTS, and Ubuntu Kylin 16.04.2 LTS.
However, if you have a healthy Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS installation, there's no need to download anything. To update to Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS, simply use the built-in Ubuntu Software package manager or run the "sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade" command in the Terminal app. Make sure to reboot your computer after upgrading to Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS to be able to use the new Linux 4.8 kernel.
On this occasion, we'd like to remind readers that Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus) is a long-term supported operating system, which means that it will get three more point releases until it reaches end of life in the year 2021. The next one, Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS should arrive later this year with updated graphics and kernel stacks from Ubuntu 17.04 (Zesty Zapus), due for release on April 13, 2017.