Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technology into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution has led to the release of its latest version, Ubuntu 19.04 (Disco Dingo) on April 18, 2019, while the beta version was released on March 28, 2019. The release includes flashable images and ISOs from Ubuntu desktop, server, cloud products as well as from the various flavours such as Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, Budgie, Ubuntu Mate, etc. The current version also includes a current 5.0 kernel, updated versions of most of the core set of packages, and much more.
Features
The latest version of Ubuntu includes many new features including bug fixing tools and some of them are mentioned below.
- Ubuntu 19.04 is based on the Linux release series 5.0 kernel which includes support for graphics processor, Raspberry Pi, Qualcomm Snapdragon, etc.
- It includes a refreshed state-of-the-art toolchain with new upstream releases including new improvements on the cross-compilers front as well
- Performance is improved as the desktop is upgraded to GNOME 3.32 shell, a host of bug is fixed, includes fractional scaling support, etc.
- Tracker is now included by default which allows the desktop to keep track of recently used files and improves searching
- Preview order of windows in the dock is now static and based on the order in which the windows were added
- Installing Ubuntu desktop on VMware will now automatically install the open-vm-tools package to improve integration
- Safe Graphics mode option is added to the Grub menu which will boot with “NOMODESET” on. This will help in resolving issues on graphics cards and allow to boot and install any proprietary drivers needed by the system
- The latest releases of Firefox (66.0) and LibreOffice (6.2.2) are available and installed by default
- The Ubuntu servers have also been updated such as QEMU has been updated to 3.1 release which allows you to create a virtual 3D GPU inside qemu virtual machines, Samba has been updated to 4.10.x version where one of the big changes here is the Python3 support, etc.
- It also comes with an easy way of enabling Bluetooth support on the raspi3 ubuntu pre-installed images. To install type sudo apt install pi-bluetooth
Lifespan
The lifespan of this beta will be supported until January 2020. However, if you need long term support, it is recommended you use Ubuntu 18.04 LTS instead.
Steps To Upgrade
If you are using Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and trying to upgrade into 19.04 then you might be facing some issues. In order to have a hassle-free 19.04 (Disco Dingo) upgrade. First, upgrade 18.04 LTS into Ubuntu 18.10 (Cosmic Cuttlefish) then move further. Be sure that you have all updates applied to your current version of Ubuntu before you upgrade.
You can easily upgrade over the network with the following procedure mentioned below.
- Run the update-manager application
- In Update Manager, click the Settings button, and enter your password to start the Software Sources application
- Select the sub menu Updates from the Software Sources application
- Confirm the “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version:” option is set to “For any new version”, and change it if otherwise
- Close the Software Sources application and return to Update Manager
- In Update Manager, click the Check button to check for new updates
- If there are any updates to install, use the Install Updates button to install them, and press Check again after that is complete
- A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release
- Click Upgrade and follow the further on screen instructions
Bottom Line
Ubuntu Disco Dingo is the successor of Ubuntu Cosmic Cuttlefish which has the most visual updates than the others. Though in this version we will lack in visual changes, however, there will be different forms of “Yaru” theme icons and the themed desktop wallpaper. Working on this version will certainly improve the desktop experience because of its enhanced performance.
Click here to download Disco Dingo
