A few days ago it was announced Release of the new version of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0, which marks an important step in the evolution of this mobile operating system driven by the UBports community.
This version, based on Ubuntu 24.04 expands its compatibility with a wide range of devices, as can be highlighted with support for the Fairphone 5, joining an already extensive list of compatible devices, which includes models from Asus, F(x)tec, Fairphone, Google, JingPad, OnePlus, Sony, Volla, Lenovo, Rabbit and Xiaomi, among others.
Key new features in Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0
In this new version of Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 the most significant change in this version is the complete transition to Ubuntu 24.04 base, leaving behind version 20.04 used since 2023. This jump allows you to take advantage of improvements in performance, security and support software, aligning Ubuntu Touch with the most recent version of the parent distribution.
Another of the improvements that Ubuntu Touch 24.04-1.0 also introduces is a new logo and a light version of the interface design, which can be activated from System Settings > Background & Appearance. This new style is Designed to improve fluidity on devices with limited resources and offer a more modern visual experience.
In addition, it has been added Experimental support for changing themes in live mode, which opens the door to greater customization of the environment.
Advances in privacy and security
One of the most outstanding aspects is the experimental implementation of personal data encryption. This new feature allows user information to be protected with a password or passcode that is requested upon device startup.
Although still not available for all models, can be enabled from System Settings > Security & Privacy > Encryption (experimental).
Improvements to applications and user experience
La calling app has been completely redesigned, optimized for large screens and horizontal orientation, making it easy to use on tablets and larger format devices.
On the other hand, a has been added new interface to configure USB modes (System Settings > USB), allowing you to enable file transfer or share your Internet connection via the cable.
La Bluetooth settings now show the MAC address of the device and offers an option to rescan nearby devices. As for the virtual keyboard, auto-capitalization, auto-correction, and auto-punctuation modes are disabled by default, providing a more natural experience for advanced users.
A smoother desktop and improved controls
El desktop mode (which allows you to connect a phone to a monitor and use it like a PC) has received notable optimizations performance. Additionally, it is now possible to move applications between virtual desktops using the Ctrl + Alt + Shift + arrow key combination.
La Customization also extends to the date and time indicator menu, where the user can choose to display calendars, weeks, events, and alarms. Additionally, the ability to select the sound for calendar reminders has been added under System Settings > Sound.
Por último, la Wi-Fi settings now offer additional information on the active network, improving visibility of technical details and facilitating connection management.
Finally, if you are interested in learning more about it, you can consult the details in the following link.
Download and get Ubuntu Touch
For those interested in trying the new version, they should know that the Ubuntu Touch update among the supported models includes the F(x)tec Pro1 X phones, Fairphone in their versions 3, 3+ and 4, as well as the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL. The JingPad A1 and several OnePlus models can also run this version, including the OnePlus 5, 5T, 6, 6T, Nord N10 5G and Nord N100. Although you can also check the full list of supported devices at the following link.
For those interested in being able to install the update immediately, they should enable ADB access and run the following command on `adb shell`:
sudo system-image-cli -v -p 0 --progress dots
With this the device should download the update and install it. This process may take a while, depending on your download speed.