Latest version of Linux Mint reaches the stable channel

Jun 28, 2020 08:11 GMT  ·  By

The stable version of Linux Mint 20 is now available for download, and as expected, the rollout includes the typical Xfce, MATE, and Cinnamon ISO images.

Linux Mint 20, which is codenamed Ulyana, is a long-term support version, so it’ll receive support until 2025. And needless to say, it comes with massive improvements that include linux-firmware 1.187 and the Linux kernel 5.4.

But what’s being described as “the star of the show” in this release is Warpinator, an application that allows sharing files across a network and which is described as a modern successor to Giver.

Originally implemented in Linux Mint 6, Giver was an app that made file sharing between computers fairly simple as it allowed users to send and receive files with just a drag and drop and without the need for additional software or configurations.

Snapd disabled by default

“Warpinator is a reimplementation of Giver. Server configuration (FTP, NFS, Samba) is overkill for casual file transfers between two computers, and it’s a real pity to use external media (Internet services, USB sticks, external HDDs) just to share files when there’s a local network which could do just that,” the Linux team explains.

This new release also brings improved support for NVIDIA Optimus and an NVIDIA ON-Demand profile. The system tray section has received additional refinements in all three versions of Linux Mint, as the dev team focused on harmonizing the entire experience and providing users with more straightforward icons.

Gdebi has received a new UI, Apturl returned to Aptdaemon from Synaptic, while Snapd is disabled by default, with APT packages not allowed to install it.

Like every new release, Linux Mint 20 comes with visual refinements too, so you get new wallpapers and additional improvements here and there, including a tweaked welcome screen and new folder icons.