System76 continues to accelerate the development of your desktop environment COSMIC, and following the initial release of "COSMIC Epoch 1"
The team has released a series of updates (versions 1.0.1, 1.0.2 and 1.0.3) focused on polishing the visual experience and functionality of the system.
These released revisions aim to bridge the gap between an initial version and a mature product for daily use on Pop!_OS and other distributions, addressing both aesthetics and deep system management.
Visual refinement and window management
One of the most requested and visible changes in these updates is the iuniversal implementation of softened edgesNow, compatibility with rounded corners This applies to all system windows. not only to native COSMIC applications, but also to those that run on X11 or Wayland.
To complement this, Configurable window shadows have been addedeven when using tiling mode. Users can adjust these parameters, deciding whether they prefer square or rounded corners and the intensity of the shadows, directly from the new section in the desktop appearance settings.
In addition, in window management, the The composition server has significantly improved interaction with applications. inherited. The Activating windows for X11 clients running through XWaylandThis means that system tray indicators can now correctly switch focus to windows located on other virtual desktops, resolving a common usability issue in hybrid environments. Furthermore, Switching between virtual desktops has become smootherallowing looping with the mouse wheel and improving touchpad response when navigating through workspace thumbnails.
Evolution in file management and the terminal
The COSMIC file manager It has received several improvements. And among them, the most notable new feature is the ability to open multiple directories in separate tabsfacilitating organization without cluttering the screen with windows. The address bar now supports direct entry of network paths and It features autocomplete using the Tab or Shift-Tab keys. At the data operations level, an option has been added to preserve creation and modification dates when copying files, and a security dialog box has been integrated before emptying the Recycle Bin to prevent accidental data loss.
For its part, the emulator of COSMIC Terminal It has strengthened its security and usability, since now manages passwords more strictlyThese credentials are loaded into memory only when the credential management page is opened and deleted immediately upon closing it. Text selection has also been improved, allowing users to select specific content blocks by clicking while holding down the Shift key—a standard feature on other terminals that is now available on COSMIC.
Moreover the The system configurator has gained agility with a new quick search function.Simply start typing in any section and the search bar will appear, allowing you to locate the desired option. Accessibility has been another key focus, with touchpad click simulation enabled by default and a dedicated subsection added to the keyboard shortcut settings. In fact, Activating the screen reader has been made easier using the shortcut Super+Alt+S and it has been ensured that the initial system setup (OOBE) supports multiple monitors and has the screen reader active by default to assist visually impaired users from the first boot.
Finally, the native app ecosystem continues to mature.The COSMIC Store app store now includes a deep cleaning option This allows users to delete Flatpak application data after uninstallation. The media player has also improved the user experience by automatically muting audio when scrolling and when preview thumbnails are displayed. At the network level, crucial support has been added for VPN connections requiring two-factor authentication, thus closing a significant gap for enterprise use of the environment.
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