Ubuntu engineers are debating ways to reduce the number of features present in the signed version of GRUB, the boot loader used on systems with Secure Boot enabled. Canonical engineer Julian Klode proposes dropping support for /boot on btrfs, HFS+, XFS and ZFS filesystems, alongside GRUB’s JPEG and PNG image parsers, ahead of Ubuntu 26.10. Apple partition table support, LVM volume handling, all software RAID except RAID 1 and, more controversially, LUKS-encrypted /boot partitions are also on the chopping block. Many of these features are said to be ‘inherited by Debian, but never tested in Ubuntu’. “The timing here is crucial”, Klode […]

You're reading Ubuntu 26.10 could drop btrfs, ZFS and LUKS support from GRUB, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

The beta release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is now available to download, a month ahead a planned stable release on 23 April, 2026. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS runs on the latest release candidate of Linux kernel 7.0 (yet to be released), includes the new GNOME 50 desktop release and adds a couple of new default apps, including a new system monitoring utility (Resources). Visual changes introduced include a set of colourful new folder icons, a fully opaque Ubuntu Dock, a new default wallpaper and, albeit a little harder to spit, a new boot spinner animation during system startup. On the backend, […]

You're reading Ubuntu 26.04 Beta is now available to download, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

Ubuntu’s App Center software tool makes it easier to manage and update Deb software in its latest update – and nets a few extra options for snaps, too. The changes are part of Canonical’s goal of making App Center, first introduced in Ubuntu 23.10, the epicentre (I’m sorry) for software management on Ubuntu, both Snap and Debian-based packages. A recent update to App Center (in Ubuntu 26.04; may come to earlier versions too) adds support for showing and managing Debian packages installed on your system from the Ubuntu repos, using PackageKit and Appstream on the backend. Previously only snaps were […]

You're reading Ubuntu’s App Center now lets you manage Deb packages, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

Enabling Ubuntu Pro on Ubuntu is getting easier, with the latest update to the distro’s desktop Security Center app adding a dedicated panel. Currently, you can enrol and manage Ubuntu Pro for long-term support (LTS) versions of Ubuntu via the Software & Updates tool or the command-line. As Ubuntu 26.04 LTS will not include the Software & Updates utility by default (it’s still in the archives, for those who want it), a new graphical way to configure Ubuntu Pro enablement is needed. And the desktop Security Center, introduced in Ubuntu 24.10, is the logical place to put it as Ubuntu […]

You're reading Ubuntu’s Security Center app adds Ubuntu Pro settings, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.

It’s been nearly 7 years since Pine64 (remember them?) introduced the PineTime (remember that?), a FOSS-friendly smartwatch priced under $30 and aimed at tech tinkerers and open hardware hackers. Now, it’s time for take two. Revealed in a community update recapping its activities at FOSDEM 2026, Pine64 has announced an updated version is on the way, with an AMOLED display, built-in GPS, blood oxygen sensing and a rotating digital crown (with an extra button). The new Pro model will use what Pine64 says it a “custom chip”, although it doesn’t provide further detail. The original PineTime was built around a […]

You're reading Pine64 teases PineTime Pro with AMOLED, GPS and ‘custom’ chip, a blog post from OMG! Ubuntu. Do not reproduce elsewhere without permission.