Elementary OS 8.10 features include a sleek redesigned panel, improved multitasking, updated app notifications, performance optimizations, and enhanced security—all focused on refining the user experience.
After almost two years of development since the prior release, elemnetary OS is now out with its latest release 8.0 code-named “Circe”. This release is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS which was released on April 2024, brining the latest Ubuntu base, and key enhancements such as default Flatpak support, security and more.
Let’s give it a test drive.
elementary OS 8: New Features
Core
At its core, it is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS “Noble” and Linux Kernel 6.8. Linux Kernel 6.8 with Ubuntu 24.04 base brings the following key updates/:
CPU, GPU, and SoC Enhancements: New Xe and improved i915 drivers enhance Intel GPU support, while AMD, NVIDIA, and ARM-based systems gain stability and compatibility improvements. Drivers for Raspberry Pi 5, Qualcomm chips, and gaming devices broaden hardware support.
File System Updates: Features like online fsck for XFS, performance boosts for Ext4, and zoned storage support for F2FS enhance file system resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. New system calls and enhanced SMB capabilities improve user-space interaction.
elementary OS 8 powered by Ubuntu 24.04
Memory & Core Improvements: Enhanced Zswap memory management, multi-size Transparent Huge Pages (mTHP), and new tools like KSM Advisor optimize memory and CPU usage. Rust and BPF updates enhance kernel security and modularity.
Networking Upgrades: Overhauled data structures improve TCP speeds by 40%, while bpfilter’s removal simplifies networking. Enhanced support for RISC-V and advanced profiling tools refine system performance and compatibility.
Installer, ISO
The ISO size of this release is little larger on about 3.2 GB. The installer remains almost the same, with some key additions.
elementary OS 8 focuses on accessibility more. Hence, during installation and onboarding app (after first boot), you get screen reader support with audio for blind users. This helps to adopt and use elementary OS greatly.
Furthermore, the disk encryption option is now included in the installer if you need a more secure desktop experience.
Drive encryption
Secure session and Wayland
Your lock screen just got smarter in elementary OS 8. Besides the password field, you’ll now find a gear menu offering two options: Classic or Secure Session. Choosing the Secure Session activates Wayland, a modern display protocol designed with security at its core. Wayland ensures apps can only access what you explicitly allow.
Imagine this: an app wants to monitor your keystrokes in the background, take a screenshot, or even pick a colour from your screen. With Secure Session, it must ask for permission first. This transitions your computer into a system that respects your privacy by default, protecting you from untrustworthy behaviour.
New Secure session options with Wayland
But it’s not just about security: it’s also about functionality. Secure Session introduces features like Mixed DPI support, addressing the frustrations of using HiDPI laptops with LoDPI external displays. For creatives and multitaskers, this enhancement is huge. Add to that improved multi-touch gesture support for touch screens and tablets, and you get a smoother, more responsive elementary OS 8 experience – even on low-powered hardware.
elementary OS 8 with Wayland
AppCenter Meets Flathub
The pay-what-you-can application store of elementary OS 8 now supports Flathub out-of-the-box. The days of manual sideloading or configuring alternate stores are behind you.
From apps tailored for elementary OS to general Linux software and cross-platform favourites like Discord and Spotify, everything is now just a click away in AppCenter.
The inclusion of Flathub doesn’t mean compromising on security. Thanks to the Secure Session and newly integrated Portals, apps are confined to safe sandboxes where they must request your explicit consent for access. AppCenter now features sandbox warnings and expanded permissions settings, ensuring that apps uphold elementary OS’s security principals.
Intelligent Updates
In elementary OS 8, updates get an intelligent upgrade. Previously, updates for apps and the operating system appeared side-by-side in AppCenter. Now, they’re split into two distinct locations, simplifying the process:
App Updates: Still managed in AppCenter, they install quickly while your computer is running and never require a restart.
System Updates: Now moved to System Settings, these updates are installed offline during a restart, ensuring critical services are properly refreshed without errors.
Updates are now separated by their restart mode
This division eliminates confusion. You’ll always know which updates require a reboot and which don’t, making the process faster and more intuitive.
The new system update mechanism is not only faster but also smarter. During Onboarding, you can now opt into automatic downloads for updates. You’ll also be informed if the package contains critical security updates, keeping your system secure without added effort.
What happens if an update doesn’t go smoothly? The improved error handling system has you covered. And for added convenience, new options in the shutdown dialog let you install updates before powering down or skip pending updates if needed – even when automatic updates are enabled.
Improvised Dock
When designing the Secure Session, the team at elementary OS realized the Dock required a complete overhaul. This wasn’t just a tweak; it was an opportunity to rethink multitasking entirely. By conducting surveys, listening to years of GitHub feedback, and analysing how users interact with their desktops, they’ve crafted a dock that blends familiarity with innovation. The result? A multitasking experience that feels intuitive, efficient, and designed to fit seamlessly into your workflow.
The default look and feel of the dock also changed with the addition of a light background. Which, of course, you can change it from the settings.
Predictable App Behaviour
The Dock now introduces a more predictable interaction model for managing apps, especially those with multiple windows. Here’s how it works:
Launching Apps: If an app isn’t open, a single click launches it – just like before.
Focusing Windows: For apps with one window open, a single click brings it into focus, even if it’s on a different workspace.
Window Spread: Got multiple windows open? A single click reveals a window spread for that app, letting you choose the right one instantly without entering the Multitasking View.
This new approach eliminates confusion. No more accidental new windows or minimized apps disappearing into the background. Every click takes you exactly where you want to go.
