Someone got Ubuntu running on a PS5 – and played Steam

PS5 with Linux on the monitor.A newly launched project lets you boot Ubuntu on a PlayStation 5 to play Steam games, though only if your console is on old enough firmware. The hack is the work of security engineer Andy Nguyen, who this week announced a public release of his ps5-linux-boot project so more people can turn their “…PS5 Phat console on 3.xx and 4.xx [Firmware] into a fully functional Linux PC gaming device”. Obviously, this is all unofficial. The project exploits a patched hypervisor vulnerability to give Linux direct access to the PS5’s hardware – which with its eight Zen 2 CPU cores (16 threads) […]

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Enabling Ubuntu Pro in Security Center is super easy

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS dropped the Software & Updates utility from default installs and added Ubuntu Pro settings to the Security Center app. But is the setup experience any better? The short answer is yes, mostly. The range of options still mirrors what was found in the old Software & Updates > Ubuntu Pro tab, but the layout is less cramped, with more room for concise explanations of what each setting and toggle does. Ubuntu Pro is free for personal use on up-to five devices. A paid subscription is required for businesses, enterprises or anyone trying to managing a fleet of Ubuntu installs. Enrolling is improved. […]

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Canonical Unveils Ubuntu AI Strategy: Local Models, User Control, and Smarter Workflows

Canonical Unveils Ubuntu AI Strategy: Local Models, User Control, and Smarter Workflows

Canonical has officially revealed its long-anticipated plans to bring artificial intelligence features into Ubuntu, marking a significant shift for one of the world’s most widely used Linux distributions. Rather than rushing into the AI wave, Canonical is taking a measured, privacy-focused approach, one that aims to enhance the operating system without compromising its open-source values.

The rollout is expected to take place gradually throughout 2026, with early features likely appearing in upcoming Ubuntu releases.

A Gradual, Thoughtful AI Rollout

Canonical isn’t positioning Ubuntu as an “AI-first” operating system. Instead, the company is introducing AI in stages, focusing on practical improvements rather than hype-driven features.

The plan follows a two-phase model:

  • Implicit AI features: Enhancements running quietly in the background
  • Explicit AI features: User-facing tools and workflows powered by AI

This approach allows Ubuntu to evolve naturally, improving existing functionality before introducing more advanced capabilities.

Local AI First, Not the Cloud

One of the most important aspects of Canonical’s strategy is its emphasis on local AI processing, also known as on-device inference.

Instead of sending data to remote servers, Ubuntu will aim to:

  • Run AI models directly on the user’s hardware
  • Reduce reliance on cloud services
  • Improve privacy and performance

Canonical has made it clear that local inference will be the default, with cloud-based options available only when explicitly chosen by the user.

This aligns closely with the privacy expectations of Linux users, who often prefer greater control over their data.

What AI Features Could Look Like

Canonical has outlined several potential use cases for AI inside Ubuntu. These include:

Accessibility Improvements

AI will enhance tools like:

  • Speech-to-text
  • Text-to-speech
  • Assistive technologies

These features aim to make Ubuntu more inclusive and easier to use for a wider range of users.

Smarter System Assistance

Future AI features may help users:

  • Troubleshoot system issues
  • Interpret logs and error messages
  • Automate repetitive tasks

This could significantly lower the learning curve for new Linux users.

Agent-Based Automation

Canonical is also exploring “agentic” AI workflows, where AI can take actions on behalf of the user.

Examples include:

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Ubuntu 16.04 LTS security support has ended – unless you pay

xenial topperIf you’re still running Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (Xenial Xerus), heads up: Extended Security Maintenance (ESM) ended this month and your system is no longer receiving security updates. Having debuted in April 2016, Ubuntu 16.04 LTS received five years of standard support with a further 5 years of security coverage available through ESM by enabling Ubuntu Pro. ESM for 16.04 ended April 2026, meaning action is needed to stay protected. The most straightforward thing to do is to upgrade to a more recent LTS release – but there’s no direct route from 16.04, however. Instead, you’ll need to upgrade in stages: […]

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Firefox’s free VPN is getting the one feature it was missing

Firefox VPN.Mozilla has attracted kudos since it added a free built-in VPN to its Firefox web browser, not least because of the generous 50 GB a month usage limit. Now it’s set to add another sweetener: server location choice. Mozilla began rolling out VPN integration in Firefox 149 for Windows, macOS and Linux to users in the UK, USA, France and Germany as a privacy shield: it hides your real IP address when browsing by routing traffic through a secure proxy server hosted by Fastly. Canada was added to that list with Firefox 150. The only hard requirement is that users must be […]

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Canonical is ‘ramping up’ AI in Ubuntu this year

AI features are coming to Ubuntu in 2026, though Canonical has made clear that the distro is not becoming an AI product. In a community post, Jon Seager, VP of engineering at Canonical, says the company is “ramping up its use of AI tools in a focused and principled manner” this year, with a bias toward local inference and open-weight models whose licence terms match Canonical’s values. AI features in Ubuntu will take one of two forms. Implicit features improve existing capabilities using on-device AI models, for things like text-to-speech and speech-to-text to bolster accessibility. The plan is to make […]

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